Battery Level Indicator using LM3914

Contents hide

Introduction

Sometimes the visual indication of the battery is highly needed. Especially in the automotive industry where the designers are now working on battery-operated cars. Thus, it’s a significant task to work on the battery. But, besides this, while making this kind of vehicle that will get operated by battery, they also need the battery level indicator to make those cars more user-friendly. Because consumers will get in trouble without the level indicator. So, this article is about making a simple and easy battery level indicator.

For making this circuit, we are using an LM3914 IC, an integrated circuit, usually employed to activate a display that visually shows the magnitude of the analog signal. This signal integrated circuit can drive many displays like 10 LEDs, LCDs, etc.

Buy Now

Hardware Components

The following components are required to make Battery Level Indicator Circuit

S.no	Component	Value	Qty
1.	IC	LM3914	1
2.	Resistor	1K	1
3.	Potentiometer	50K, 10K	1, 1
4.	LEDs	–	10
5.	Power supply	–	1

LM3914 Pinout

For a detailed description of pinout, dimension features, and specifications download the datasheet of LM3914

Battery Level Indicator Circuit

Useful Steps

First, you need to place an LM3914 IC on your board.

After that, place a resistor and both potentiometers

Place all the LEDs and a connector to connect to supply

Now, you need to calibrate the circuit for a 3.7V Battery. Connect the power supply, give 4V from it and adjust the potentiometer.

Connect the 3.7V battery supply which is 80% charge and observe the LEDs

Then connect the same battery with having charging of 90% and observe the LEDs. You may observe the minor changes.

Now use the battery with 100% charge and observe the full glow.

Working Explanation

For calibrating the circuit, apply the power supply and adjusts VR1 so that LED1 just starts glowing. The adoption of different colored LEDs makes it clearer to recognize the voltage level based on the calibration made. At different battery levels, you will observe the different glow patterns.