I had a complaint that the pipe tagger was too heavy. I considered the weight a benefit, so the steel in the parts was a deliberate choice. The front grip was the first place to remove weight since the two bolts were all ballast and not structural. I also needed an external battery. Two birds.
I debated for hours about the merits of using a USB battery pack or rechargeable batteries and a charging circuit. If I chose the battery pack, I could still use it for charging phones and accessories, but I opted for rechargeable batteries and a boost circuit. I will monitor the cell voltage, and the tagger can alert the central server when the cell voltage gets low. Both could have quick-change enclosures, and a battery pack with a readout could be visible during use.
I decided to go with batteries and a boost circuit, but no charging circuit. The idea was that I could swap out batteries between rounds. I have plug-in battery chargers, and it is inexpensive to get more. I will have to add the raw battery output to the schematic and hardware. The design was similar to the previous double-bolt model, but this will have a couple of electrical contacts. The batteries will be wired in parallel, allowing operation with only one installed. The batteries will be behind screw plugs that will open with a flathead screwdriver or 4mm hex key. I chose the 4mm since that is the same size as a precision screwdriver shaft. Quarter-inch hex was another strong contender.
The rest of the posts for this project have been arranged by date.
First time here?
Completed projects from year 1
Completed projects from year 2
Completed projects from year 3
Completed projects from year 4
Completed projects from year 5
Completed projects from year 6
Completed projects from year 7
Completed projects from year 8
Completed projects from year 9
Completed projects from year 10
Completed projects from year 11
Completed projects from year 12
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com and 24HourEngineer.com
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information on this blog, or linked by this blog, is not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property, or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.
All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.
Comments to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner. No one posting may claim property or assets based on their post.
This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
2025-08-10
I debated for hours about the merits of using a USB battery pack or rechargeable batteries and a charging circuit. If I chose the battery pack, I could still use it for charging phones and accessories, but I opted for rechargeable batteries and a boost circuit. I will monitor the cell voltage, and the tagger can alert the central server when the cell voltage gets low. Both could have quick-change enclosures, and a battery pack with a readout could be visible during use.
I decided to go with batteries and a boost circuit, but no charging circuit. The idea was that I could swap out batteries between rounds. I have plug-in battery chargers, and it is inexpensive to get more. I will have to add the raw battery output to the schematic and hardware. The design was similar to the previous double-bolt model, but this will have a couple of electrical contacts. The batteries will be wired in parallel, allowing operation with only one installed. The batteries will be behind screw plugs that will open with a flathead screwdriver or 4mm hex key. I chose the 4mm since that is the same size as a precision screwdriver shaft. Quarter-inch hex was another strong contender.
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| Sketch for an off-hand grip battery holder |
The rest of the posts for this project have been arranged by date.
First time here?
Completed projects from year 1
Completed projects from year 2
Completed projects from year 3
Completed projects from year 4
Completed projects from year 5
Completed projects from year 6
Completed projects from year 7
Completed projects from year 8
Completed projects from year 9
Completed projects from year 10
Completed projects from year 11
Completed projects from year 12
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com and 24HourEngineer.com
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information on this blog, or linked by this blog, is not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property, or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.
All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.
Comments to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner. No one posting may claim property or assets based on their post.
This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
2025-08-10
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