Battery Low Voltage Beeper

(C) G. Forrest Cook February 12, 2002

Last modified: January 31, 2005

Photo of the assembled circuit

Schematic
Introduction

This circuit provides an audible and visual low voltage warning for 12V battery powered
devices. When the battery voltage is above the set point (typically 11V), the circuit is
idle. If the battery voltage should fall below the set point, the LED will light and the
speaker will emit a periodic beeping sound to warn of the impending loss of power. The
circuit was designed for monitoring solar systems, but it could also be useful for
automotive and other 12V applications.

Specifications
Nominal operating voltage: 12V
Idle current: 6ma
Low Voltage Warning current: 15ma

Theory

U2 provides a 5V regulated voltage reference. U1 is wired as a comparator, it compares

the fixed 5V regulated voltage to the voltage on the wiper of VR1, that is proportional to
the 12V supply. When the supply drops below the set point, the output of U1 goes low,
turning on Q1 and powering the beeper and the LED.

The beeper consists of U4, a tone generator, and U3, a low duty cycle pulse generator.
The tone can be changed by adjusting R7, the beep rate can be changed by adjusting R5.
A small amount of hysteresis is provided by R1 and the current through LED1 and the
beeper, this separates the on and off points for the circuit.

Construction

The circuit board was made by printing the pattern (see below) onto Press-n-peel blue
circuit board transfer film with a laser printer. Etch the board, drill the holes, and
assemble the parts on the board as per the board photo. Be sure to correctly orient the
diode, electrolytic capacitors, ICs, and transistor. The CA3160 op-amp may be difficult to
find, other low power CMOS op-amps may be substituted. A standard 741 op-amp would
also work, but the idle current will be higher.

Alignment

Connect the circuit to an adjustable DC voltage source. Set the voltage source to 11V or
wherever you would like the circuit to turn on. Turn on switch S1. Adjust VR1 until the
point where LED1 just comes on and the beeping starts.

Use
Connect the circuit to the 12V source that you wish to monitor. There should be a fuse
somewhere between the battery and this circuit. Turn S1 on, if the battery voltage is
above the set point, nothing should happen.

As the battery voltage drops below the set point, the LED will light and a periodic
beeping will come from the speaker. If the beeping becomes annoying, turn off S1. Be
sure to charge the battery soon, excessive discharging will shorten the life of most
rechargeable batteries.