cute counter

[Reg]

Hi All,

Here is a link to a cute counter.

http://www.goldmine-elec-products.co...tem=7&mitem=27

It is a little pricey but is totally self contained with a built in battery. Just add a simple triggering device and it will count the coil wraps for you. I use a magnet mounted in my rotating wheel holding the wraps. A reed switch is mounted such that the magnet will activate it every revolution.

It is simple and works great.

Reg

[Reg]

Super cheap counter

Hi All,

I had a disussion with Bill Hays of Hays Electronics about the cute counter that I presently use to count coil wraps and he offered this suggestion as an alternative for those who want a super low budget counter.

By modifying one of the extremely cheap pocket or even desk calculators, one can build an effective counter. Many of the dollar stores sell such calculators for about a dollar or so.

Now, I haven't built up the counter at this time but did try to programming necessary and it works just fine. So, the rest is simple mechanics.

Now, the trick is to use a cheap calculator is done in the intial programming of the calculator. By simply keying 1 + = (the number 1 plus the add sign and then hitting the = button) sets the counter mechanism. Now, each time the = sign button is toggled, the calculator adds 1 count. So, all that has to be done is to tie into the = contacts and take them out to some form of a switch. This switch will be actuated by the rotating form.

This is a very unique and very cheap type counter. Again, just modify a calculator so the = contacts are brought out of the calculator, add a simple switch such as a reed switch and connect it to the wire brought out from the = contacts, and a mount a strong magnet on the rotating coil assembly to actuate the reed switch, and you have a simple counter capable of keeping track of the number of turns in a coil.

If you get a chance, try the simple programming of any cheap calculator you have to see just how easy it would be to build one and to be sure the particular calculator will work ok. There are a few more expensive calculators that will not work..

Again, we have to thank Bill Hays for this one.

BTW, the conversation came up while discussing some prototype coil shapes. See the 3 to 1 coil ratio for more info. Bill was nice enough to build me a couple of prototype housings to try.

Reg

[Elie]

You can hook up the shaft of a mechanical counter (commonly found in tape recorders) to the center of the rotating wheel. You should be able to get a counter which counts backwards (for correcting mistakes).