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Solid State, High Current Isolation Switch - New Product

Posted by Mark on June 12, 2014 at 10:30pm

3689600408?profile=original

Using state of the art devices and PCB design we've made a reasonably small and lightweight isolation switch capable of switching high current batteries directly. Advantages we think this offers:

- Isolation of all electronics on the ground for safety
- No connection pitting compared with using large switch based isolation solutions
- Minimization of EMC radiation as connectors are plugged in and out
- External electronics can be used to switch the power system on / off
- Auto Off in case of aircraft incident. A pull out cable can switch power off automatically
- Simple very low current toggle switch can be mounted more or less anywhere for easy power isolation

Isolation (switching) normally happens when very low current is drawn, however the switch still needs to pass the full current when ON. This switch will happily pass through the heavy currents required by many large multi-copters and electric aircraft. (70A continuous. Much higher for few seconds bursts).

Some testing at 140A:
3689600574?profile=original

We think this is a unique solution on the market today, please do tell us if this is not the case.

Please come to see more details on our site:
Bluelight Technologies

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Comments

  • Mark February 17, 2015 at 2:09pm

    Thanks very much for the feedback..

  • 100KM
    Hein du Plessis February 17, 2015 at 12:21pm
    Great points BacklashRC, Mark, we're looking forward to v1.1!!
  • BacklashRC February 17, 2015 at 10:07am

    Mark,

         I received the replacement switch.  I am happy to report that it works fine and, the original switch worked as well. The problem that led me to incorrectly believe that the original switch was bad was as follows:

    The load that the switch was hooked up to was an electronic speed control for a brushless motor.  That ESC has a battery eliminator circuit which has a set of three wires which is routed to an autopilot.  One of those wires is the PWM signal that controls throttle.  The second wire is 5 volts from the BEC which is intended to eliminate the need for a separate RX battery pack (often left disconnected in lieu of an external, higher capacity BEC being used.  And the third wire is a ground, tying the ESC and the autopilot reference points to the negative side of the primary flight battery.

    When the BL-Smart70SW interrupts ground (instead of positive voltage), the parallel path from the ESC that runs through the autopilot provides an alternate path for current.  This results in the appearance that the BL-Smart70SW will not turn off.

    I believe that my setup is the most likely setup that will be utilized in the field and as a result, may produce a headache for Blue Light Technologies.   The current that is diverted into the control circuitry is also potentially damaging to that circuitry.

    I would like to suggest that you include an explanation for the potential hazards in the manual.  I have resolved the situation by removing the ground between the ESC and the autopilot.  Now the switch functions properly.

    I would also like to see a slightly higher gauge wire being used for the switch and electronic shutoff to prevent potential breakage due to vibration.  The insulation on those two wire sets, as well as that on the primary power wires, is not a high temp silicon insulation, which results in melting when terminals are soldered on.

    With those small improvements I think that the products would be improved substantially.  Thanks for the outstanding service.  I will continue to order from Blue Light Technologies.

  • BacklashRC January 3, 2015 at 6:52pm

    Thanks Mark

  • Mark January 3, 2015 at 12:22am

    Please contact bluelight for a replacement unit

  • BacklashRC January 1, 2015 at 3:56pm

    Mark,  Perhaps you can help me out here.

    I purchased the BL-Smart70SW and have it hooked up between a 4S battery and an ESC.  My problem is that the SmartSwitch is always on.  The mechanical switch has no effect on operation.  The safety cutoff jumper has no effect when removed.

    The External Activation has two lines.  One is black (Ground) and is grounded.  The other is red (Signal).  It makes no difference if the signal wire is floating, at 5vdc, or grounded.  The SmartSwitch is still on.

    Any help that you can give would be greatly appreciated.

  • Mark September 19, 2014 at 8:54am

    I'm pleased to announce that we now have stock again:
    http://www.bluelight-tech.com/Buying.htm

    Buying RC aricraft products
    RC stabilization - Advanced RC products
  • BacklashRC August 19, 2014 at 9:44am

    Thanks Mark. I will keep an eye on the website.

  • Mark August 19, 2014 at 8:28am

    Special PCBs  are needed for these parts which should be done in 2 weeks, then another week or so for the first new pcs to be completed, so should be in around 3 weeks time.

  • BacklashRC August 19, 2014 at 7:55am

    I would like to purchase four BL-Smart100SW switches.  Can you tell me when these will be in stock?

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