Hi guys,
Anyone here hot (or about A level) on electronics??
Old motorcycle project. Oil drains from tank to sump over time when its not running. Logically, you need a tap in the feed line.
Starting the motor with the tap closed gets expensive quite quickly, so the tap needs an to also operate a microswitch to cut/ allow current to the ignition circuit.
I used a direct action microswitch operated by the tap, but mounting it is not straightforward on a flexible line. It works after a fashion, but cutting sparks mid corner can also get expensive, nay- painful! even quicker than the other version.
So. I am thinking maybe a reed switch, with a magnet on the tap. Turn the tap, magnet gets close to reed switch, current flows. If the tap is off, magnet is too far away, so the switch isan open. Except it pulls too much current and fucks the reed switch. I tired it with a bulb, but I want it to be robust. Not sure about current draw of the ignition circuit.
(Q1. How much current can a reed switch handle?? Most seem like 500mA...)
I then tried a Hall effect sensor, however it came without without instructions, I think I also fucked this. Trying different permutations of the live earth and switch wire means that I think I got it to work, (bulb lit when magnet is close by) now it doesn't.
Q2 Could excess current demand also fuck this??
Q3. Could shorting or similar also fuck it??
Can anyone tell meif I am barking up the wrong tree before I throw another few quid at a hall effect sensor??
Or any insight about how to wire it? 3 wires are Brown Black and Blue. Presumably blue is the switched, but with the magnet present will this supply the 12v fed into the sensor??
Cheers! Any insight appreciated,
Andy