LEGO Energy Meter User Manual

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LEGO® Energy Meter

How to Get Started

The Energy Meter consists of two parts: the LEGO® Energy Display and LEGO Energy Storage. The Energy Storage ﬁts onto the bottom of the Energy Display.

To install the Energy Storage, simply slide it down onto the Energy Display.

To remove the Energy Storage, press the plastic tab on the back and...

press the Energy Storage down to slide it oﬀ.

Energy Storage

Energy Display

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Energy Meter Element Guide

How to Get Started

To install the Energy Storage, simply slide it down onto the Energy Display. To remove the Energy Storage, press the plastic tab located on the rear of the unit and gently press down to slide it oﬀ.

• Disconnect after use, to optimize the lifetime of the Energy Storage

• Store at room temperature in a clean, dry place away from heat and frost.

To charge the Energy Meter:

• Connect the Energy Meter either to the LEGO

Power Functions Battery Box supplied with six new batteries, or the LEGO Power Functions Rechargeable Battery Box in order to charge the Energy Storage

• Turn on the Energy Meter by pressing the green On/Oﬀ button, check that the display is on

• Let the LEGO Power Functions Battery Box, or the LEGO Power Functions Rechargeable Battery Box charge the Energy Meter by leaving them connected for three hours or until the display turns oﬀ

To discharge the Energy Meter:

• Disconnect all wires and other devices from the Energy Meter

• Press the green On/Oﬀ button for 10 seconds until a triangle with an exclamation mark appears blinking with one second intervals on the display

• Let the Energy Meter remain like this for approximately 1½ hours or until the display turns oﬀ

If you wish to cancel the discharge, simply press the On/Oﬀ button to turn oﬀ the Energy Meter. To return to normal mode, turn on the Energy Meter again.

For more information see www.LEGOeducation.com

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Energy Meter Element Guide

How It Works

The Energy Meter can measure, store and release generated energy.

Functionality

Energy Display

MINDSTORMS Output Port

For more on how to use the Energy Meter together with LEGO MINDSTORMS, see www.MINDSTORMSeducation.com

Directional Control Switch

Use the directional control switch to operate the output function. By turning the switch in either direction with power on you can control the output function. In the middle position, the output function is oﬀ.

On/Oﬀ Button

Press the On/Oﬀ button down once to turn the Energy Meter on and once more to turn it oﬀ. Pressing down and holding the On/Oﬀ button down for two seconds will reset joules measurement to 0 J.

Output Plug

Connect the E-Motor to the output plug and read the Energy Meter’s power output. A minimum of 1 J must be stored before an output can be drawn from the Energy Meter.

Input Plug

Connect the Solar Panel or E-Motor, used as a generator to the input plug and read the Energy Meter measurements.

Energy Display

Input plug

Display

Directional control switch

On/Oﬀ button

Output plug

Energy Storage

LEGO

MINDSTORMS®

Output port

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Energy Meter Element Guide

Display Measurements

Input voltage Input current Input wattage

Accumulated joules

Output voltage Output current Output wattage

Accumulated Joules

The maximum amount of accumulated joules that can be stored is 100 J. The reading of 100 J will start blinking on the display with one second intervals when this maximum is reached. Input voltage will remain measured in the display, but input current and input wattage will go to zero. The output measurements will depend on the load applied. Pressing down and holding the On/ Oﬀ button for two seconds will reset the joules measurement to 0 J. Please note that this is not an indication of the charged status of the Energy Storage.

Blinking Lightning Symbol

A lightning symbol appears blinking with one second intervals on the display, when one of two possible situations have occurred:

• If the number of joules remains the same, then you should be able to continue your activity, but

the Energy Storage power level is low and you should soon charge the Energy Meter.

The Energy Storage should be charged before each lesson.

• If the number of joules resets to 0 J and output voltage goes to zero, then the Energy Meter has

been overloaded and must be recharged.

Do not overload the Energy Meter.

Constant Lightning Symbol

A constant lightning symbol appears on the Energy Meter display when the Energy Storage needs to be charged.

Error

A triangle with an exclamation mark appears on the display when there is an error on the Energy Storage. Measurements are not valid. Remove the Energy Storage, check the connecting parts and see if they need cleaning. Reconnect the Energy Storage to the Energy Display and charge the Energy Meter. If the error triangle reappears, replace with a new Energy Storage.

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Energy Meter Element Guide

Energy Storage

The Energy Storage stores the energy you have generated. Measurements on the Energy Display are not valid when disconnected from the Energy Storage. The lifespan of the Energy Storage depends heavily on the way it is used, maintained and stored. Store the Energy Storage at room temperature in a clean, dry place away from heat. Heat, frost and long discharge periods can signiﬁcantly shorten the expected lifespan of the Energy Storage. Disconnect the Energy Storage after use. It is necessary to recharge the Energy Storage after a long storage period.

Technical Speciﬁcations

The Energy Meter will display measurements in the range of:

• 0.0 V to 9.9 V, input voltage

• 0.000 A to 0.200 A, input current

• P = V x I, P = input wattage

• 0 J to 100 J, accumulated joules

• 0.0 V to 9.9 V, output voltage

• 0.000 A to 0.450 A, output current

• P = V x I, P = output wattage

Refresh Rate and Averaging Measurements

Display measurements are refreshed every 0.5 seconds; they are calculated by averaging the measurements at equal intervals of 100 per 0.5 seconds. Depending on the input, this should give fairly constant and easily identiﬁable measurements.

Take Good Care of Your Energy Meter

• Do not bend or push hard on it or elements connected to it

• Do not step on or otherwise place heavy weights on it

• Do not drop it

• Do not short circuit it

• Do not exceed the maximum 10 V supply voltage

• Do not overload the Energy Meter as this will cause it to discharge

• It is not waterproof

• Store at room temperature in a clean, dry place away from heat and frost

• The Energy Storage should be charged before each lesson

LEGO Energy Meter User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual