During the month of internship, I have been helping T-Rex bring this dream to life. Before these boards were installed, he had "dumb" boards. The old boards had a big resistor on it, and would drain the batteries until they are the same voltage. This would maintain the batteries, so they are healthy. These new ones not only replace the old ones, they also are able to communicate with the system, which allows him to program them to automatically control the charger, and other things.
The first step to create these boards was to design them. T-Rex designed the boards himself.
The next step was to have the parts placed.
The next step was to have the parts placed.
After placing all the parts on the boards, we test the boards, and debug them, and also see what can be improved.
After he makes the changes, we make another prototype.
After he makes the changes, we make another prototype.
After many iterations of improving the board, they are sent out to be made professionally. This removes the margin of error from hand placing, from the oils on hands, to the possibility of accidentally placing parts in the wrong spot (Which I have done many times).
Testing the boards radios. This confirms that the boards are sending the right signals out to the main board. Here, the boards are displaying the battery voltages.
After installing the boards in to the car, we had to re-program them, due to a glitch.
The boards are ready to display to Shark Tank!