I have an arduino project that is powered by a NiHm battery, and unfortunately the people using it tend to leave it on until the battery is drained to the point where it becomes impossible to charge and use again.
I'm thinking of monitoring the voltage of the battery using the arduino (voltage divider and Internal 1.1v reference), but I'm not too what to use to actually cut the power.
It doesn't matter if it increases the power draw slightly in the closed position, but ideally it wouldn't draw power in the open position.
It's default position should be closed, so that when power is cut and restored using a switch already present on the device, the arduino will be powered - it can then decide if the battery voltage is sufficient to run again.
The low voltage cut off switch and the already existing switch would be/are both located between the arduino and the battery, but not between the battery and the charging port. This would allow the battery to charge no matter the position of either of the switches.
Does anyone know of a relay or transistor type device I can use for this?
Cheers,
Arthur