[Josh@PaintballDoctor]

What's battery life like?

[redlaser666]

Originally Posted by Josh@PaintballDoctor

What's battery life like?

I am using a pair of 6v Lithium Military batteries and they are still strong after about 5 cases or so.

[Tempted (Banned)]

Nice write up, great pictures and diagrams. But..... there is a far, far easier way to get the same effect without that level of complexity. Using an infrared emitter and phototransistor is as simple as drilling two 5mm holes and wiring them to a low current circuit in the hopper. Since they operate at a very low voltage I use a 3.7v(4.2v when fully charged) watch battery to power on the emitter. Just run the transistor to a low current circuit, position the emitter to allow the transistor to pick up the infrared light and bingo, you're done. Best of all you can pick up a matched set at radio shack for about 4 bucks.

[redlaser666]

Originally Posted by Tempted

Nice write up, great pictures and diagrams. But..... there is a far, far easier way to get the same effect without that level of complexity. Using an infrared emitter and phototransistor is as simple as drilling two 5mm holes and wiring them to a low current circuit in the hopper. Since they operate at a very low voltage I use a 3.7v(4.2v when fully charged) watch battery to power on the emitter. Just run the transistor to a low current circuit, position the emitter to allow the transistor to pick up the infrared light and bingo, you're done. Best of all you can pick up a matched set at radio shack for about 4 bucks.

The eyeforce loader probably works like that, so i decided to do it diferently.

Also I think sound activated is faster than eye activated, sice it doesnt wait for a gap in paintballs and cant get dirty.

[Tempted (Banned)]

The laser is instant, there really isn't a detectable delay. They are what most guns use for "eyes" now. Here is my Angel shooting with infrared emitter/phototransistor set. They read fast enough to out shoot my Halo. It is ramped, the only delay is my fingers.

[Spitlebug]

Can you run a potentiometer in this thing to have it spin faster?

[redlaser666]

Originally Posted by Spitlebug

Can you run a potentiometer in this thing to have it spin faster?

To make it spin faster you add more voltage. I am running mine on a custom 12v pack. You can use up to 15v with this circuit. You can use a potentiometer to slow it down from there.

The potentiometer would go to the Base pin of the transistor to lower the voltage that drives the transistor and thus the motor.

Let me know if you want help adding this.

[Spitlebug]

I assume 15v is the max Vcc for the 555 timer IC? It would be nice to get 18v by running two 9v's in series. Space constraints...

Are you running 2/3 'AA' cells in series?

[redlaser666]

Originally Posted by Spitlebug

I assume 15v is the max Vcc for the 555 timer IC? It would be nice to get 18v by running two 9v's in series. Space constraints...

Are you running 2/3 'AA' cells in series?

The 555 is rated for only 15V so to use 2 9v batteries you need a regulator to step it down.

I use a pair of BA-5372/U 6v batteries (they are used in army commo equipment) They have lasted for at least 5 cases and are still going stong after 6 months of use.

[Spitlebug]

Holy crap, those are rather large diameter batteries. I was thinking it would be nice to get about 1000mAh with a custom cell that doesn't require a ballanced charger like Li-poly batteries.

4 - CR123A rechargeables? Now there is a thought.

[redlaser666]

The BA-5372/U are actually the same size as the CR123A, and since they are 6v instead of 3v like CR123As I only use two BA's of them in series, instead of four that you would need if using CR's.

[Spitlebug]

Would four fit though? The mAh on a CR123A is much higher.

[redlaser666]

You may be able to fit 4 if you modify the inside of the loder a bit. Also you can probably put 2 of them under the raceway and the other 2 on the right side.

[Spitlebug]

Almost not worth the effort when you can do the bend sensor/bend switch mod.

[redlaser666]

I originaly tried to do the bend switch but It didnt work for me. I think i placed it wrong and it would get the balls stuck so i decided to do sound activated (I already had most of the parts laying around)

[Tempted (Banned)]

Bend switch? You mean like this? This is an ancient View Loader I had around.


Have you attempted to build a lithium pack? A 4s1p would seem to do the trick. You could build a pack and use a 3 inch wire and use them as a "straddle" pack. Two cells on one side, two on the other. It is also simple to add a JST charge plug so you wouldn't have to remove it for charging. I personally use these cells. They are tiny, small enough for me to build 3s2p packs and have a lot of room left in my Halo.

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...idProduct=8864

[redlaser666]

Thanks on the tip for the battery. I have not tried a diferent battery pack since the ones iI use I get free and have lasted a super long time. I shot another case of paint throgh the same set of batteries today with no problem at all.

[paint pig]

would you sell a board and instructions on how to install it.?

[redlaser666]

Originally Posted by paint pig

would you sell a board and instructions on how to install it.?

I will check to see if I have enough parts to make another one and i will let you know.

[CaptainSockPuppet]

This looks fantastic! I'm going to give it a try if I can find the parts!

[junits15]

I did this to mine, for some reason my mic wasnt producing strong enough signals to trigger the circuit. So I had to use a separate amp board to make it work.