Novag CITRINE solar energy
Link Review original text solar novag citrine modding
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- IMG presentación final - (bak 0)
- two battery solar (16 € * 2) and < 200 gr. (very portable)
- detalles batt solar presentación - (bak 01)
Hello dear friends of Talkchess
and company, I will post this "modding" about "famous" chess machine, "Novag citrine", we will detail both the steps taken and the technical characteristics of the experiment:
As fans we all know this machine is unable to connect to batteries, but the disadvantage posed to their mobility. (lost memory when disconnected over several minutes)
The end is similar this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLt4oVvNqf8
Rough indicator of the review:
1 - Test on actual consumption and readings Novag transformer.
2 - Components accessories for connecting to the computer.
3 - Concluding remarks and predicted battery life, taking as reference tables NiMH rechargeable batteries (no memory effect)
- Annex: More Photos and Videos.
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1 - In this photo we can see that the original transformer delivery citrine 9V and 300 mA. (ALL are lies, or rather, half-truths)
- datos técnicos manual citrine.JPG - (bak 1)
In reality it is confusing to staff and at least in harm to your computer over time. Why do we say this?.
A. Actually reading in vacuum, without charge, is 15.6 Volts ¡¡¡,[/ b] a genuine savagery,
(actually this is a pretty bad transformer, without stabilization), where engineers were questioned Novag of "that allow +15 Volts, they said that it is a vacuum reading at no charge ...)
But then we discovered the second half lie ... tells the processor to deliver 9 Volts to 300 map, (if manual citrine said about 50 mA max, why used a 300mA transformer ?)... but it appears that the NOVAG CITRINE only consumes 20 ~ 26 map at maximum load), so the processor does not have the voltage drop that "the engineers say" leads to proper operation. In fact, checking with a "voltmeter" operational, "AUTOPLAY" SOUND ON, the input voltage is +14 V. Another authentic savagery.
The surprise comes when connected to a battery, (Carefully NOVAG has reversed the polarity of their processors and machines, so that if you mistakenly use a transformer with standard operation, ie with the positive inside, as it must, always negative because usually associated with mass and mass-frame, then we can burn the machine. I repeat, very careful in this step. The warranty is voided, indeed, a shame?, because it will be no...
- datos transformador citrine detalle.JPG - (bak 2)
This was solved by creating two cables in domestic plan, so as to reverse the polarity, as well as protection diodes installed in several series, so if there is a short, the diodes act as a rustic fuse in any case, the main idea is to prevent reverse polarity, to allow this component, the current flow in one direction.
The other branch of the "mini" cable, is ready to connect to a laptop battery, which contains an internal 7.4-V and 2300 map by electronics for varying the output voltages from 5 V / 600 mA, 8.4 V . - 9 V. -12 V, and max 1200 map, as you will, what they're doing is increasing the voltage slightly at the expense of losing some of amperage. (ok, it´s good, but this battery is very expensive, I prefer two other battery, we shall soon see that in this review... The only advantage is that it has a great power, but it´s not solar... is more versatile... for use with other devices...
I think that a lot of chess computer can run ok with a type similar this battery, the most hungry chess computer need 0,5 Amps, and the modern battery can do that for several hours... "remenber that a simple and domestic NiMH of 2650 have a long curve of discarge, near 5 hours...
- novag citrine batería principal 7-4 volts.JPG - (bak 3)
When testing the system, it is very surprised that the citrine Novag only needs 25 mA, (20 ~ 26), or 0.025, which is very reasonable for any type of battery really does not matter that they were AAA batteries, AA, C or D that either has a good behavior and leads to more than 40 hours of computer chess use, says a Spanish that clearly the donkey when bigger is better, walk or not walk, the saying goes. ..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wyi-ws80jU
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yw69H9AlKQ4
Actually I got to thinking if Novag had told us some truth, or surrender the power transformer or the voltage consumes neither indicated nor ... well ... A quote from Em. Lasker said, "Trust, but verify" in reference to the theory of chess openings ...
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Then another thought comes into operation:
- esquema novag citrine.JPG - (bak 4)
Passing through a store, I see that they have become fashionable portable solar batteries to recharge mobile (remember, these have also changed and the positive polarity is inside, just unlike Novag, you guess which is the intention of Novag to reverse the polarity ...)
- img principal novag citrine.JPG - (bak 5)
These batteries are of various types, can deliver the silver model 1200 Amp, 5.5 Volts at 300 ~ 500 ma, which is more than enough to citrine, the drawback of this model is that when the battery is damaged, we can pull the apparatus, is charged by solar and / or USB through a computer or via 220/5V current supplied to it. (Using sunlight takes about 25 hours to charge via USB cable and 3 to 5 hours), the downside is that the "connector" of this device has a special plug. (in the similar model 1800 Amp, have replaced this with a mini-usb, much more practical).
The other model, as you can see in the picture is very good, because it has rechargeable batteries that are recharged by sunlight or by USB cable, the advantage is that we can exchange the original batteries 2300 ma, and replaced by larger ones, without Further complicating matters, obviously the output power is reduced enough, they have 2300 mA at 1.2 V. Adding, 1.2 +1.2 = 2.4 to achieve 5.5 V. amperage is reduced by almost half ... let's say 1150, as are the final power is similar, with the advantage that we can swap the batteries and take over a game with them.
Experimentally, that the original batteries are still new, change these batteries energizer for a map of 2650, so the final output will be approximately 1,300 map to 5.4 V, the fundamental difference with the solar battery fixed battery, is that the latter despite being smaller and embedded design can deliver 300 to 500 amp, obviously for only up to 2 hours to recharge other devices and solar cell and rechargeable batteries interchangeable manual delivery based , delivery and sustained intensity of 150 to 300 ma.
List (in the original calculations was little offset, in fact consumption in the solar battery interchangeable with these batteries is higher for them, because they must raise the voltage of 3 V to 5 V approx., We see in the picture experimentally the actual readings of intensity in the citrine Novag and in the battery internal too... (25 ma and 70 ma):
- esquema datos tecnicos baterias.JPG - (bak 11)
(~ 25 mA) and that it represents (~ 70 mA) in the accessory internal solar batteries, in that light, the duration of these batteries is less than the alternative of solar battery, only we have the illusion of change batteries, although considering the small solar cost "only" 16 €, we can hardly justify the investment of a rechargeable battery pack of 2650 mA for the component that already costs 26 € ... a matter of individual needs)
video loads in real solar battery power supply citrine x 3 = 70 mA.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yVRnemO8ds
Either gives more than enough power for Novag citrine (actually if I know that only consumes 0.025 CITRINE, instead of 0.3 A Novag saying it needs the transformer hand, had done much modding before).
- Relacion de tamaños a escala.JPG - (bak 6)
- Detalle de bateria imgs.JPG - (bak 8)
Now is the last part, as we have seen, the batteries only deliver 5.4 volts, however we know that citrine need around 9 v. to operate, actually works perfectly with 8 V, but surprisingly, it works with 5.5 V, the LCD can hardly see, but the computer does not lose his memory and continues to operate in autoplay.
The solution is to connect the two batteries in series, as shown in the photo, it delivers 10.5 V, which in any case is much less than the 14 and 15 volts are delivered "incorrectly" and with obvious damage to the machine long term, even so, they have been inserted in series several diodes of 0.27 Volts, as fuses of 0.3 ~ 05 and constrained to reverse polarity. All that goes inside the cable and then isolated.
- + 9 detalle baterías solares caracteristicas.JPG - (bak 9)
There are three mounting options, ranked from cheapest to the most powerful and light and heavy:
• The cost of small solar battery is 16 €, or 2 * 16 = 32 € + 2 € + pin cable investor, say about 35 €.
• The cost of solar battery interchangeable battery, improved the usefulness and durability of the device, which will deteriorate even when the solar can be used as a simple amplifier 3 V to 5 V, is 26 €, 2 * 26 = 52 € + extras = 55 €. (100 ~ 200 gr)
• The cost of the main battery, solar is not unique, is 49 € and can be used for many devices and protections, and state of charge intervals. Inverter cable is required, total = 52 €. (200 ~ 300 gr.)
We see the videos / photos...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z4Bz1WuBmI
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yO-BwLvmPk
video novag citrine battery solar x 2.avi
- + 7 novag citrine baterias solares.JPG - (bak 7)
As a final note, we say that the citrine in Standby-OFF (switch OFF), but feeding the memory, consumes the "ridiculous" figure of >0.001 mA, so you can imagine that there really is no drop Volts, at all engineers say voltage is produced and therefore CITRINE is connected to more than 15 V. being turned off when still connected to AC. (we recommend installing voltage reducers in the original transformer and / or never leave the machine connected to the current, although that with the switch is OFF, this is still receiving power,)
(in any case remember that the "extinct?" Novag can not connect any power transformer and different from their "horrible" original transformer ... this is done at your own risk and that I do not held responsible for what happens ... nothing for me... but you never know what can happen...)
Technical data and graphics on the battery life of both the classic AA, Alkaline, 2900 ma, as the rechargeable NiMH 1600 ~ 2450 ma, ma of 2650. (download the graphics are about and higher consumption, so there is greater risk of long term missing energy drops, but accused it in rechargeable batteries, although slightly)
- +datos tecnicos pilas/baterias mercado.JPG - (bak 10)
Well, with this end this article, to serve as info to the entire community of users and fans of chess computers.
Greetings to MECA and community for the wonderful site of SPANISH MUSEUM Computer Chess, and his page of forums, in which increasingly we see a lot of different activities and participation by the Hispanic community talking: (;-)
http://meca.mundoforo.com/index.php
review original text spanish, solar novag citrine modding
on other links info: (a lot of info is here too, it´s not spam, only is other support Languages)
http://www.talkchess.com/forum/viewtopi ... 288#288288
http://users.boardnation.com/~chesscomp ... eadid=1851
(where you can find out, that if this show is about Spanish and many other topics related to computers and chess in general)
We also wish to congratulate once again the ARENA CHESS GUI programmers.
http://www.playwitharena.com/
to develop the driver to connect to a computer Novag citrine, but apparently because other programs are coming out this function ... (+ info?)
Pd: As Citrine power consumption is quite low, it is possible that "two simple solar panels (without extra battery) only through a circuit with a capacitor> 500 uF and stabilizer through a transistor circuit, get to keep running Novag citrine with simple sunlight, artificial lighting or perhaps without requiring battery charging times, as the electronic circuit would be responsible to "stabilize" the voltage and amperage for short periods of lack of sufficient sunlight (clouds, movements, etc) and in any case keep the memory of the computer shipments for many minutes, maybe even hours, depending on the size of the capacitor ... but that would be another modding, we'll see ...
The end for now...
- The end - (bak 12)
Well, I hope you like it and helps them apart from the final assembly, the intermediate steps are developed, adapter cables, gearboxes and readings, and here we go on vacation ... I'm "kills": roll:
Greetings, and the next review ... :arrow :idea :8)
solar greetings from Spain.