Wiring Diagram

No setup is required: if correct values are used for resistors R3 to R7, LED D1 will illuminate at 0dB input (0.775V RMS), LED D2 at +5dB input (1.378V RMS) and LED D3 at +10dB (2.451V RMS).

The circuit was optimized for low current consumption as it was intended for battery operation. To achieve this, the best arrangement has proven to be the one using two different op-amp types for IC1 and IC2. In fact the LM393 IC was not operating satisfactorily as dot-mode LED driver, whereas the LM324 was unable to charge C2 in the linear way, as expected. Therefore, the final circuit is some op-amp wasting, but the small added cost will be quickly compensated by battery savings.

This is a circuit that serves to indicate various levels of hot water in a tank. SW1 is a normally open press button switch which allows you to view the level of hot water in a hot water tank. When pressed the voltage difference at the junction of the thermistor and preset is compared to the fixed voltage on the op-amps non-inverting input. Depending on the heat of the water in the tank, the thermistors resistance will toggle the op-amp output to swing to almost full voltage supply and light the appropriate LED.

Note:

    * Op-Amp: LM324 or any quad opamp can be used or even four single op-amps.
    * R2-R5: 330ohm resistors, but Lower values give brighter LED output.
    * NTC1-4: Cold resistance was around 300K, hot resistance 15k. Alternative thermistors may be used with different resistance ranges, but the presets P1 to P4 must also be changed as well.
    * R7-10: only required if your thermistors resistance is several ohms at the hottest temperature.
    * P1 - P4: Chosen to match the resistance of the thermistor when cold.
    * R1 & R6: 100k Resistor


Masking tape was used to stick the bead thermistors to the tank. Wires were soldered and insulated at the thermistors ends. A plastic box was used to house the circuit. Battery life will probably be 4 to 5 years depending on how often you use the push switch, SW1.

LED INDICATOR AUDIO AMPLIFIER CIRCUIT SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM

This circuit, connected to the loudspeaker output of an audio amplifier, will indicate the instantaneous output power delivered to the loudspeaker(s) by means of six LEDs illuminating one after another by voltage values increasing little by little, providing the visual impression of a luminous bar or column, increasing and decreasing in height following the increase and decrease of the signal’s level.

Notes:

    * The output power indicated by each LED must be doubled when 4 Ohms loads are driven.
    * The circuit can be adapted to suit less powerful amplifiers by reducing the number of LEDs and related voltage dividers.