DIY Constant Current Load
by GreatScottLab in Circuits > Electronics
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DIY Constant Current Load
![thumbnail.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FMK/B1B1/I88LOCTI/FMKB1B1I88LOCTI.jpg&filename=thumbnail.jpg)
In this small project I will show you how to make a simple adjustable constant current load. Such a gadget is useful if you want to measure the capacity of chinese Li-Ion batteries. Or you can test how stable your power supply is with a certain load. Let's get started !
Watch the Video!
![Li-Ion Capacity Test || DIY constant current load](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F44/QEEE/I8BGG1MW/F44QEEEI8BGG1MW.jpg&filename=Li-Ion Capacity Test || DIY constant current load)
The video gives you all the information you need to build a constant current load. But I will present you some extra help in the following steps
Order Your Parts!
![IMG_6407.JPG](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FH4/EZNB/I88LOCSP/FH4EZNBI88LOCSP.jpg&filename=IMG_6407.JPG)
Here is the small list of parts that you will need (affiliate links):
Ebay:
1x Vero board: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
1x 1Ω / 5W resistor: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
1x LM358: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
2x PCB terminals: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
1x IRLZ44N N-channel MOSFET: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
1x 500k potentiometer: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?...
Aliexpress:
1x Vero board: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dVyKGn9
1x 1Ω / 5W resistor: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dYdV8ib
1x LM358: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dWVhDDz
2x PCB terminals: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dYbstfZ
1x IRLZ44N N-channel MOSFET: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dWhSrDl
1x 500k potentiometer: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_dX83GAF
Amazon.de:
1x Vero board: http://amzn.to/1yZ4k1J
1x 1Ω / 5W resistor:http://amzn.to/1yZ4u9x
1x LM358: http://amzn.to/1GtRhNH
2x PCB terminals:http://amzn.to/1GtRU9R
1x IRLZ44N N-channel MOSFET: -
1x 500k potentiometer: http://amzn.to/1yZ4Vkb
Build the Circuit!
![schematic.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FK9/RRKD/I88LOCT3/FK9RRKDI88LOCT3.png&filename=schematic.png)
![Veroboard.jpg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FRH/V6OG/I88LOCTN/FRHV6OGI88LOCTN.jpg&filename=Veroboard.jpg)
Here you can find the schematic for the build and the board design that I created. Make sure to interrupt the copper traces underneath the LM358.
Success!
![IMG_6472.JPG](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FS4/9HPJ/I88LOCSQ/FS49HPJI88LOCSQ.jpg&filename=IMG_6472.JPG)
Now you should be able to build your own constant current load.
Feel free to check out my Youtube channel for more awesome projects:
http://www.youtube.com/user/greatscottlab
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