In this tutorial, we are making a project of a 555 Low Battery Indicator For 12V Batteries. It is a very simple circuit of a low voltage indicator for 12V batteries using a 555 timer IC. This circuit will activate an LED for the indication of the voltage level falling below the preset level of your battery. It can be used with all the rechargeable batteries of 12 volts. When batteries get over-discharged the capacity and life of the rechargeable battery reduces, and these batteries are quite expensive so this problem can cost you a lot.
All these issues can be solved by using this circuit it will indicate the over-discharge of any 12V battery.
Hardware Components
The following components are required to make Low Battery Indicator Circuit
| S.no | Component | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Battery | 12V | 1 |
| 2. | IC | NE555 Timer | 1 |
| 3. | Resistor | 24K, 8.2K, 220Ω, 10K Var | 1, 1, 1, 1 |
| 4. | Capacitor | 10nF | 1 |
| 5. | Zener diode | 5.6V | 1 |
| 6. | LED | – | 1 |
NE555 IC Pinout
For a detailed description of pinout, dimension features, and specifications download the datasheet of 555 Timer
Low Battery Indicator Circuit
Working Explanation
The 555 IC is working in a comparator mode. A variable resistor of 10K ohms is used to set the voltage level on which you want to activate the LED. The combination of resistor and capacitor will set the frequency of the 555 timer IC. A Zener diode is used at the control voltage pin (Pin 5) of the IC to regulate the voltage. When the 12V battery will fall below the preset value the LED will be turned ON.
Before using this circuit you will have to make some adjustments initially
- Take a power supply and set its voltage to 12V
- Connect it with the circuit in place of a 12V battery.
- Adjust the 10K variable resistor slightly until the LED lights up.
- Your circuit is ready now. Connect the 12V battery with the circuit and start monitoring it.
Applications and Uses
- UPS Systems
- 12V Lights
- Lamps
- Electronic devices having a 12V battery
