Hi All
Can someone help me out or point me to some ideas please.
I currently have a 30V battery operated device. The circuit is split into 2 halves, 1 side operates at 22-30V from a battery and the other side of the circuit operates at 5V which takes the power from the 30V supply via a 5 regulator. I have two pic axe chips on the 5v side which deal with output to an LCD (18m2) and control (14m2) a daughter board connected to the 30V side of the circuit which controls a brush less motor. I currently have a 10A 30V rated on/off switch on the DC power from the battery. However I have miniaturised this circuit board and I would like to also now use a smaller power switch, however I can not find anything suitable as there are no suitable small switches which can operate at the required 10amps. SO I have an idea of using a small momentary switch to startup the circuit and then use a relay to keep the circuit live once the momentary switch is released.
Essentially I am after some advice on how this might work or some pointers to known methods. I can understand how I might get the momentary switch to power the circuit as I cold use a spare pin I have on one of the PICs but if anyone could offer a simpler solution or pointers to pit falls then I would be grateful. Space is at a minimum on the PCB and within the container of the electronics. (If using a relay is the best option , can anyone suggest a very small suitable relay.)
Any help appreciated.
Thank you.
Can someone help me out or point me to some ideas please.
I currently have a 30V battery operated device. The circuit is split into 2 halves, 1 side operates at 22-30V from a battery and the other side of the circuit operates at 5V which takes the power from the 30V supply via a 5 regulator. I have two pic axe chips on the 5v side which deal with output to an LCD (18m2) and control (14m2) a daughter board connected to the 30V side of the circuit which controls a brush less motor. I currently have a 10A 30V rated on/off switch on the DC power from the battery. However I have miniaturised this circuit board and I would like to also now use a smaller power switch, however I can not find anything suitable as there are no suitable small switches which can operate at the required 10amps. SO I have an idea of using a small momentary switch to startup the circuit and then use a relay to keep the circuit live once the momentary switch is released.
Essentially I am after some advice on how this might work or some pointers to known methods. I can understand how I might get the momentary switch to power the circuit as I cold use a spare pin I have on one of the PICs but if anyone could offer a simpler solution or pointers to pit falls then I would be grateful. Space is at a minimum on the PCB and within the container of the electronics. (If using a relay is the best option , can anyone suggest a very small suitable relay.)
Any help appreciated.
Thank you.