[Vinnie R.]

All,

I am very excited to announce a new Red Wine Audio innovation that will be featured in ALL of our “off-the-grid” sealed lead-acid battery powered products and modifications going forward –

The Red Wine Audio SMART (SLA battery Monitoring and Auto Recharge circuiT) module! 

This is a small circuit board (approx 2” x 3”) that will take the place of the mechanical On/Charge toggle switch that has been used in all of our existing products. 

As detailed below, the SMART module will eliminate the concern of accidentally leaving your SLA battery powered RWA product ON and forgetting to charge it (which results in significantly reduced battery life or even ending the life of the battery, as SLA batteries do NOT like to be deeply discharged).   

Here are the features of the new Red Wine Audio SMART Module:

1) Instead of using a mechanical switch to connect the SLA battery power to the load, the SMART module uses a high-current MOSFET (controlled by a small integrated circuit) to connect the SLA battery power to the load.  The battery charger is also connected to the SLA battery via a pair of high-current MOSFETs that switch on/off both Charger + and Charger GND connections.

When the product is ON and running off of the SLA battery power, both the
Charger + and  Charger GND MOSFETs are OFF, so the charger is completely disconnected from the SLA battery.  This isolates the battery when the product is on and prevents any ground-loops with other mains-powered audio equipment (e.g. powered subwoofers) when charging.

2) When the product is turned ON, the battery voltage is constantly being monitored via an integrated circuit on the SMART module.  Once the battery voltage drops to a set threshold (this is set by Red Wine Audio the factory for a 12V or 24V system), the battery will immediately be disconnected from the load (i.e., the load MOSFET turns OFF) and connected to the SLA Auto Battery Charger via a pair of the same type of MOSFETs that switch both the Charger + and Charger GND terminals to the SLA battery to begin the charge process automatically. 

3) Turning ON the Red Wine Audio product that features the SMART module is simply done by pressing a momentary switch*.  Turning OFF of the product that features the SMART module (i.e., removing the load from the battery and starting the battery charge process) is simply done by pressing and holding down the momentary switch for 1 to 2 seconds, OR as mentioned above, if the battery voltage drops to the set threshold limit while the product is left ON it will automatically turn OFF and begin the charging process.  If the charger is not connected, the SMART module will still remove the battery from the load to prevent the battery from becoming deeply discharged. 

4) When ON or OFF, the power consumption of the SMART module is extremely
low, so it draws virtually no power from the batteries.

5) The SMART module offers superb current flow from the battery to the load, as well as much enhanced reliability.  This is because that compared to the mechanical switches used in all our past designs, the high-current MOSFETs used in the SMART module feature lower turn-on resistance (in the very low milli-ohm range), and these MOSFETs do not have mechanical switch contacts that wear out and degrade over time. 

6) The SMART module will be available towards the end of next month (September) and the first new Red Wine Audio product that will feature it will be the Signature 30.2, which we are planning to have in production mode in late-September/early-October.

* The upcoming Signature 30.2, Signature 70.2, and the Isabella will all feature a very high quality, round, black-anodized NON-mechanical "touch sensing" switch that will be built into the new front panel design.  A beautiful red LED will also be built into this switch and will be located above the center of the switch.  When you touch the switch to turn on the product, the red LED above your finger will turn ON and glow a smooth, gorgeous red color.  When you touch and hold down the switch for 1 to 2 seconds to turn OFF the product, the red LED above your finger will turn OFF so you'll know that the product has been turned OFF (and has entered the charging mode... assuming that you have the charger connected).

Many more details of the Signature 30.2, Signature 70.2, and Isabella will be posted this weekend... this is just one of them. 

Thanks for all your interest and support! 

Vinnie

[Jampot]

Any chance these could be retrofitted?

I guess case room could be a problem with the Clari-T size enclosure.... and I guess pressure of work could be a problem too

Jim

[ZLS]

While the SMART module sounds terrific, dare I ask what the cost is going to be?

[Vinnie R.]

Any chance these could be retrofitted?

I guess case room could be a problem with the Clari-T size enclosure.... and I guess pressure of work could be a problem too

Jim

Hi Jim,

Yes, I am going to offer installation service of SMART modules to older RWA products (where applicable) of for custom applications (e.g. custom battery power supply with built-in SMART module that a customer wants to power a certain product).  As always, feel free to email me for details (email, NOT audiocircle PM, please).

While the SMART module sounds terrific, dare I ask what the cost is going to be?

Hi ZLS,

For Signature 30 and Signature 70 customers, I am going to offer two levels of upgrade options that will bring them to the 30.2 and 70.2 status.  One option will be an upgrade that will only be for improving the sound quality (a lower cost upgrade option).  The other option will be a "full conversion" to the 30.2 or 70.2 status, and it will involve the new front and rear panels, SMART module, new charger, amplifier board upgrades, etc.  Pricing and details of these two upgrade options will be posted when I post all the details about the upcoming Signature 30.2 and 70.2.

For RWA customers with SLA battery modded products (Squeezeboxes, Olive Music Servers, Teacs, and even the Clari-T), I plan to offer the service of installing the SMART module (retrofits). 

The SMART module has taken a considerable amount of time and effort in developing (R&D)and debugging, and is a board that features all surface-mount coponents (to keep the size down) so it takes a lot of work/cost to manufacture.  Installation and testing will also take quite a bit of time.  The SMART module + installation will probably be in the ballpark of $400.00. 

At the time of installing a SMART module, it would probably make a lot of sense to also have a new SLA battery installed (or at least I can test out your battery by running a stress test and seeing how well it holds its charge) and I plan to offer this service as well.

Best regards,

Vinnie

[lonewolfny42]

Vinnie....

For Signature 30 and Signature 70 customers, I am going to offer two levels of upgrade options that will bring them to the 30.2 and 70.2 status.

Nice !!! Thanks for the upgrade path Vinnie...

[onemug]

Will you be able to update the Omega wood bodied Sig 30 to either of the 2 options?

[Vinnie R.]

Will you be able to update the Omega wood bodied Sig 30 to either of the 2 options?

Hi onemug,

Yes, I'm sure I can make this happen 

Best regards,

Vinnie

[jrebman]

Vinnie,

Does the smart module require a float-type charger, or can it manage the charging by itself?

I'm asking because I have a friend who wants to go completely off the grid with only 12 VDC in his house -- solar, wind, and hopefully small-scale hydro, and doesn't want any inverters or such in the system.

-- Jim

[Vinnie R.]

Vinnie,

Does the smart module require a float-type charger, or can it manage the charging by itself?

I'm asking because I have a friend who wants to go completely off the grid with only 12 VDC in his house -- solar, wind, and hopefully small-scale hydro, and doesn't want any inverters or such in the system.

-- Jim

Hi Jim,

The SMART module and the SLA battery charger are two different things.  You need the charger to actually charge the battery.  The SMART module monitors the battery voltage and when that voltage drops to a set threshold, it then automatically turns the unit OFF and connects the charger to the battery. 

Custom applications using the SMART module are possible.  I already received interest in it from people who are using 12V batteries to feed things like the Trends Amps, Altmann BYOB products, and other set-ups.  Please email me with details of your application and I will see what is possible.

Best regards,

Vinnie

[richs]

Vinne -

Here's a question about the SMART module.  Suppose the Sig 30.2 or 70.2 get left on by mistake after listening.  I understand that charger will kick in when the battery gets to a low point.  As I see it the only problem would be if the battery takes a while to charge down, the timing might work out that the next day when I want to listen again the battery might be in charging mode so the amp would be unavailable.  True?

I love the idea of the SMART module, but am looking for something really fool-proof.  My Sig 30 does double duty: two-channel and also powering my L and R channels for home theater.  When I'm travelling my wife and/or kid may turn it on to watch TV/movie and forget to turn it off, and then want to use it again the next day.

Thank,

Rich

[IronLion]

Vinne -

Here's a question about the SMART module.  Suppose the Sig 30.2 or 70.2 get left on by mistake after listening.  I understand that charger will kick in when the battery gets to a low point.  As I see it the only problem would be if the battery takes a while to charge down, the timing might work out that the next day when I want to listen again the battery might be in charging mode so the amp would be unavailable.  True?

I'm going to go ahead and venture a guess here, quoting one of Vinnie's past posts about the SMART module below.  I think my Sig 30 takes about 8 hours to get to a full charge after a normal listening session and being left on maybe in between sessions, so with the SMART module, that means the Sig 30.2 would re-charge in about 2 hours, which is pretty quick.  Which means that, waiting for it to recharge to full won't take nearly as long as it presently does with Signature 30's without the SMART module. 

Now that 2 hours could potentially get in the way of a listening session, but I am under the impression that the SMART module is more of a backup system for peace of mind rather than the ideal method of using the Sig 30.2.  That is, it will allow you to leave the room without having to worry to come back later to turn it off to save the batteries, but at the same time, good habits of powering the amp on and off would probably prolong battery life more than if you left it on with the SMART module doing the recharging and also ensure that you have full juice for your listening sessions anyways.   

 

1) Output of 24V, 2A.  This will charge 4X faster than the standard charger that was included with the Signature 30.  Hyper  This new charger will be controlled by the SMART module.

[Vinnie R.]

Vinne -

Here's a question about the SMART module.  Suppose the Sig 30.2 or 70.2 get left on by mistake after listening.  I understand that charger will kick in when the battery gets to a low point.  As I see it the only problem would be if the battery takes a while to charge down, the timing might work out that the next day when I want to listen again the battery might be in charging mode so the amp would be unavailable.  True?

Hi Rich,

Great post!

Yes, if you leave the Signature 30.2 or 70.2 on by mistake, once the voltage drops to a set threshold (I set this here when I built the SMART module), it will turn OFF the amp and begin the charging process -- assuming you have the charger connected.  If the charger is not connected, it will just turn the unit OFF.  The SMART module will NOT allow the batteries to be deeply cycled... not even close! 

If you left the Signature 30.2 or 70.2 ON but not playing music, chances are that the next day it still will have quite a bit of charge on the batteries and you can still play.  The LED does not draw much power, nor does the SMART module.

I love the idea of the SMART module, but am looking for something really fool-proof.  My Sig 30 does double duty: two-channel and also powering my L and R channels for home theater.  When I'm travelling my wife and/or kid may turn it on to watch TV/movie and forget to turn it off, and then want to use it again the next day.

Again, chances are that it will be ready the next day.  The actual charging process is also improved.  It is 4x faster than before, so if the SMART did kick in, the charging process might even be finsihed by the time you are ready to use it.... if the SMART even had to kick in at all!

I think my Sig 30 takes about 8 hours to get to a full charge after a normal listening session and being left on maybe in between sessions, so with the SMART module, that means the Sig 30.2 would re-charge in about 2 hours, which is pretty quick.

Hi IronLion,

Thanks for your post!  If the 30.2 was discharged low enough to let the SMART module force the turn OFF and charge, I'd say it wouldn't take longer than 2.5 hours to full charge with the new charger.

If you only listen for an hour or two and turn off the 30.2 (put pressing the touch-sense switch on the front panel), the 30.2 will charge in minutes, not hours 

Now that 2 hours could potentially get in the way of a listening session, but I am under the impression that the SMART module is more of a backup system for peace of mind rather than the ideal method of using the Sig 30.2.  That is, it will allow you to leave the room without having to worry to come back later to turn it off to save the batteries, but at the same time, good habits of powering the amp on and off would probably prolong battery life more than if you left it on with the SMART module doing the recharging and also ensure that you have full juice for your listening sessions anyways.

This is correct!

Thanks again,

Vinnie

[stevenkelby]

Hi Vinnie, just one more clarification, if the batteries are flat, you can't use the amp even if the charger is hooked up, right?

[Vinnie R.]

Hi Vinnie, just one more clarification, if the batteries are flat, you can't use the amp even if the charger is hooked up, right?

Hi stevenkelby,

If the battery voltage drops down to the threshold and trips the SMART module, the batteries immediately begin charging.  You can stop the charging process by turning ON the unit, but you can expect that it won't play as long as it normally does on a FULL charge because you didn't fully charge in this case. 

As with all RWA products, you cannot use the unit while in charge mode.  The reason is that the charger does not make for a clean power supply... it adds plenty of noise.  When the product is OFF and CHARGING, it doesn't matter because it is just sending electrons into the battery.  However, if the product was ON and the batteries are CHARGING at the same time, the charger noise would be audible and this defeats the "off-the-grid" operation 

Best regards,

Vinnie 

[stevenkelby]

Thanks Vinnie. I thought that was the case. Sounds good to me, I doubt I will ever get a flat battery anyway as it will normally be charging itself when switched off.

I think you mentioned it, but I searched and can't find it; how long roughly might the Sig. 30.2 last from a full charge until flat at moderately high output?

Thanks,

Steve.

[Vinnie R.]

Thanks Vinnie. I thought that was the case. Sounds good to me, I doubt I will ever get a flat battery anyway as it will normally be charging itself when switched off.

I think you mentioned it, but I searched and can't find it; how long roughly might the Sig. 30.2 last from a full charge until flat at moderately high output?

Thanks,

Steve.

Hi Steve,

For clarification, the batteries will never go "flat" because the SMART module will not allow for this.  By flat, I mean deeply discharged.

I do understand that by "flat" you mean that the amp is turned off via the SMART module and charging.

On a full charge, you can expect to achieve in the ballpart of 20 hours.  It is very difficult to give an exact number because the every speaker has different impedance and sensitivity.  Also, everyone plays a different volume levels, and even different kinds of music will demand different amounts of power.  If you are playing the music at louder levels with less efficient and lower impedance speakers, and with demanding music, you probably will get a little less playing time.  If you are using higher impedance speakers that are more efficient, and playing a lower volumes, you most likely get more play time than 20 hours. 

In the past (with the Signature 30 and 70.2), there was no SMART module.  Even if the customer forgot to turn off their unit and let the batteries deep cycle only one time, that was enough to significantly reduce the max play time between charges (and the lifespan of the battery) as a deep discharge can significantly reduce a battery's ability to hold a charge. 

With the SMART module, this will never happen because the battery voltage is always being monitored and the load would be removed from the battery well before the batteries are deeply discharged... and as long as the charger is connected, the battey will immediately begin charging when the unit is turned off (and this is very good for the SLA batteries because they LOVE to always be in the charged state). 

Best regards,

Vinnie

[reddmadder]

Vinnie,
  So this eliminates the need for the external battery that gives about 24 hrs. playing time?
    R

[Vinnie R.]

Vinnie,
  So this eliminates the need for the external battery that gives about 24 hrs. playing time?
    R

Hi reddmadder,

I know you are referring to the modded Olive Music Server when you say "external battery" 

With the modded Olive Music Server, the largest sized battery that I could fit inside of the unit's enclosure is 12V, 10Ah.  This only plays for 5 to 6 hours (before the voltage drops to the point where I recommend charging).  If you like to play beyond this time, you would still want the external battery.

If you only purchased the external battery because you were affraid of forgetting to turn off the Olive and having over 24 hours of play time with your 55Ah battery gives you some "time to realize that you left the unit ON", then yes, the SMART module would solve that problem because it won't allow you to deep cycle and damage the internal battery.

Best regards,

Vinnie

[stevenkelby]

Thanks Vinnie, that sounds more than enough. I will certainly never be left "chargeless".

[Plink]

If I understand correctly from the Sig 30.2 thread, the SMART module neither improves nor diminishes the sound.  This is an upgrade that provides convenience?