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How can I make 20-200 ohm variable resistor look like a 20-240 ohm resistor?


How can I make a digital audio panning controlled by a microcontroller?how can I find out the value of a resistor without knowing the currentHow can I calculate/estimate the resistance of the thin film structured like in the picture (top view)?How can I make a model of a single wire CAN bus cable?How can I find out which resistor is short-circuited and can be ignored?






.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;








3












$begingroup$


I have a fuel sender in my kit car that goes from 20R to earth (full) to 200R (empty). Unfortunately the gauge (constant current source, measuring resistance to earth?) expects empty to be 240 ohms, so displays '1/4 full' when empty.
What is the simplest analogue way to make 20-200R look like 20-240R?



(40R in series gives a full tank showing '3/4 full' on the dial: Still not ideal!).










share|improve this question







New contributor



Stuart Leask is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






$endgroup$











  • $begingroup$
    If you want to modify what you have, you need to know the full details on the gauge.
    $endgroup$
    – Charles Cowie
    9 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Find a different gauge or a different sensor. Are they aftermarket units? Can they be reworked?
    $endgroup$
    – TimWescott
    9 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    When you hook a 240$Omega$ resistor to the gauge, what's the voltage (or, alternately, what's the current?)
    $endgroup$
    – TimWescott
    9 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Can you change the location of the markings on the gauge?
    $endgroup$
    – Andrew Morton
    9 hours ago






  • 3




    $begingroup$
    It may be the best you can do easily without changing the gauge. Empty is the important point on the dial anyway.
    $endgroup$
    – Spehro Pefhany
    9 hours ago

















3












$begingroup$


I have a fuel sender in my kit car that goes from 20R to earth (full) to 200R (empty). Unfortunately the gauge (constant current source, measuring resistance to earth?) expects empty to be 240 ohms, so displays '1/4 full' when empty.
What is the simplest analogue way to make 20-200R look like 20-240R?



(40R in series gives a full tank showing '3/4 full' on the dial: Still not ideal!).










share|improve this question







New contributor



Stuart Leask is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






$endgroup$











  • $begingroup$
    If you want to modify what you have, you need to know the full details on the gauge.
    $endgroup$
    – Charles Cowie
    9 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Find a different gauge or a different sensor. Are they aftermarket units? Can they be reworked?
    $endgroup$
    – TimWescott
    9 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    When you hook a 240$Omega$ resistor to the gauge, what's the voltage (or, alternately, what's the current?)
    $endgroup$
    – TimWescott
    9 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Can you change the location of the markings on the gauge?
    $endgroup$
    – Andrew Morton
    9 hours ago






  • 3




    $begingroup$
    It may be the best you can do easily without changing the gauge. Empty is the important point on the dial anyway.
    $endgroup$
    – Spehro Pefhany
    9 hours ago













3












3








3





$begingroup$


I have a fuel sender in my kit car that goes from 20R to earth (full) to 200R (empty). Unfortunately the gauge (constant current source, measuring resistance to earth?) expects empty to be 240 ohms, so displays '1/4 full' when empty.
What is the simplest analogue way to make 20-200R look like 20-240R?



(40R in series gives a full tank showing '3/4 full' on the dial: Still not ideal!).










share|improve this question







New contributor



Stuart Leask is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






$endgroup$




I have a fuel sender in my kit car that goes from 20R to earth (full) to 200R (empty). Unfortunately the gauge (constant current source, measuring resistance to earth?) expects empty to be 240 ohms, so displays '1/4 full' when empty.
What is the simplest analogue way to make 20-200R look like 20-240R?



(40R in series gives a full tank showing '3/4 full' on the dial: Still not ideal!).







resistance multiplier






share|improve this question







New contributor



Stuart Leask is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.










share|improve this question







New contributor



Stuart Leask is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.








share|improve this question




share|improve this question






New contributor



Stuart Leask is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.








asked 9 hours ago









Stuart LeaskStuart Leask

161




161




New contributor



Stuart Leask is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.




New contributor




Stuart Leask is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.













  • $begingroup$
    If you want to modify what you have, you need to know the full details on the gauge.
    $endgroup$
    – Charles Cowie
    9 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Find a different gauge or a different sensor. Are they aftermarket units? Can they be reworked?
    $endgroup$
    – TimWescott
    9 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    When you hook a 240$Omega$ resistor to the gauge, what's the voltage (or, alternately, what's the current?)
    $endgroup$
    – TimWescott
    9 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Can you change the location of the markings on the gauge?
    $endgroup$
    – Andrew Morton
    9 hours ago






  • 3




    $begingroup$
    It may be the best you can do easily without changing the gauge. Empty is the important point on the dial anyway.
    $endgroup$
    – Spehro Pefhany
    9 hours ago
















  • $begingroup$
    If you want to modify what you have, you need to know the full details on the gauge.
    $endgroup$
    – Charles Cowie
    9 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Find a different gauge or a different sensor. Are they aftermarket units? Can they be reworked?
    $endgroup$
    – TimWescott
    9 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    When you hook a 240$Omega$ resistor to the gauge, what's the voltage (or, alternately, what's the current?)
    $endgroup$
    – TimWescott
    9 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Can you change the location of the markings on the gauge?
    $endgroup$
    – Andrew Morton
    9 hours ago






  • 3




    $begingroup$
    It may be the best you can do easily without changing the gauge. Empty is the important point on the dial anyway.
    $endgroup$
    – Spehro Pefhany
    9 hours ago















$begingroup$
If you want to modify what you have, you need to know the full details on the gauge.
$endgroup$
– Charles Cowie
9 hours ago




$begingroup$
If you want to modify what you have, you need to know the full details on the gauge.
$endgroup$
– Charles Cowie
9 hours ago












$begingroup$
Find a different gauge or a different sensor. Are they aftermarket units? Can they be reworked?
$endgroup$
– TimWescott
9 hours ago




$begingroup$
Find a different gauge or a different sensor. Are they aftermarket units? Can they be reworked?
$endgroup$
– TimWescott
9 hours ago












$begingroup$
When you hook a 240$Omega$ resistor to the gauge, what's the voltage (or, alternately, what's the current?)
$endgroup$
– TimWescott
9 hours ago




$begingroup$
When you hook a 240$Omega$ resistor to the gauge, what's the voltage (or, alternately, what's the current?)
$endgroup$
– TimWescott
9 hours ago












$begingroup$
Can you change the location of the markings on the gauge?
$endgroup$
– Andrew Morton
9 hours ago




$begingroup$
Can you change the location of the markings on the gauge?
$endgroup$
– Andrew Morton
9 hours ago




3




3




$begingroup$
It may be the best you can do easily without changing the gauge. Empty is the important point on the dial anyway.
$endgroup$
– Spehro Pefhany
9 hours ago




$begingroup$
It may be the best you can do easily without changing the gauge. Empty is the important point on the dial anyway.
$endgroup$
– Spehro Pefhany
9 hours ago










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















4












$begingroup$

I think the easiest way would be just getting a new variable resistor. You could use a transistor to switch in an extra resistance but potentiometers are pretty cheap, so swapping out would be the easiest option.






share|improve this answer










New contributor



IgorL is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    indeed. its a gas gauge so you want some semblance of linearity and simple solutions will not provide that. that would require transistors to amplify and offset a voltage tuned by the pot and then used to drive a voltage controlled resistor.
    $endgroup$
    – DKNguyen
    9 hours ago











  • $begingroup$
    Since the potentiometer is an integral part of a fuel level sensor, it may not be practical either to find a suitable replacement or to get access to replace it.
    $endgroup$
    – pericynthion
    7 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    @pericynthion However, the entire fuel level sensor may be a replaceable item.
    $endgroup$
    – TimWescott
    7 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    That's where this started - the original ran from 70-140 ohms, so I replaced with an unused item, that still is clearly some way off spec!
    $endgroup$
    – Stuart Leask
    6 hours ago


















3












$begingroup$


I have a fuel sender in my kit car that goes from 20R to earth (full) to 200R (empty). Unfortunately the gauge (constant current source, measuring resistance to earth?) expects empty to be 240 ohms, so displays '1/4 full' when empty.




Status Spec. Actual Reading Voltage
------------------------------------------
Full 20 Ω 20 Ω 100% 160 mV
Empty 240 Ω 200 Ω 25% 1600 mV
Required voltage 1920 mV




schematic





simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab



Figure 1. (a) What you've got. (b) The voltage reading can be boosted to the correct level by feeding an extra 1.6 mA through the sensor. (c) A simple current source based on 12 V supply and 1920 mV for empty.




What is the simplest analogue way to make 20-200R look like 20-240R?




R4 looks simple to me.



I suspect that the 8 mA source is constant current so that the gauge doesn't fluctuate with revving of the engine (other than that gradual downward trend as you burn up the earth's carbon fuel reserves). To avoid R4 introducing variation you might want to feed it from a stable voltage source - as high as you reasonably can - and recalculate for your new voltage.






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    That looks just the ticket! I'll give it a whirl, thanks.
    $endgroup$
    – Stuart Leask
    3 hours ago


















0












$begingroup$

Per your comment "It's a digital gauge that runs about 8mA into the resistor in all positions", you don't actually need to make it "look like a resistor" from the gauge's point of view - you can just provide the gauge with a low-impedance voltage source, where that voltage is a linear function of the sensor resistance. A fairly straightforward op amp circuit should do the trick. You'll want to output a voltage that's 20*.008=0.16 V at one end of the scale and 240*.008=1.920 V at the other end of the scale.






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    Thanks - I was thinking of something around an op-amp, just wondered if there was something more elegant (related to a current mirror?) that anyone one of.
    $endgroup$
    – Stuart Leask
    7 hours ago











Your Answer






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3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes








3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes









active

oldest

votes






active

oldest

votes









4












$begingroup$

I think the easiest way would be just getting a new variable resistor. You could use a transistor to switch in an extra resistance but potentiometers are pretty cheap, so swapping out would be the easiest option.






share|improve this answer










New contributor



IgorL is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    indeed. its a gas gauge so you want some semblance of linearity and simple solutions will not provide that. that would require transistors to amplify and offset a voltage tuned by the pot and then used to drive a voltage controlled resistor.
    $endgroup$
    – DKNguyen
    9 hours ago











  • $begingroup$
    Since the potentiometer is an integral part of a fuel level sensor, it may not be practical either to find a suitable replacement or to get access to replace it.
    $endgroup$
    – pericynthion
    7 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    @pericynthion However, the entire fuel level sensor may be a replaceable item.
    $endgroup$
    – TimWescott
    7 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    That's where this started - the original ran from 70-140 ohms, so I replaced with an unused item, that still is clearly some way off spec!
    $endgroup$
    – Stuart Leask
    6 hours ago















4












$begingroup$

I think the easiest way would be just getting a new variable resistor. You could use a transistor to switch in an extra resistance but potentiometers are pretty cheap, so swapping out would be the easiest option.






share|improve this answer










New contributor



IgorL is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    indeed. its a gas gauge so you want some semblance of linearity and simple solutions will not provide that. that would require transistors to amplify and offset a voltage tuned by the pot and then used to drive a voltage controlled resistor.
    $endgroup$
    – DKNguyen
    9 hours ago











  • $begingroup$
    Since the potentiometer is an integral part of a fuel level sensor, it may not be practical either to find a suitable replacement or to get access to replace it.
    $endgroup$
    – pericynthion
    7 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    @pericynthion However, the entire fuel level sensor may be a replaceable item.
    $endgroup$
    – TimWescott
    7 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    That's where this started - the original ran from 70-140 ohms, so I replaced with an unused item, that still is clearly some way off spec!
    $endgroup$
    – Stuart Leask
    6 hours ago













4












4








4





$begingroup$

I think the easiest way would be just getting a new variable resistor. You could use a transistor to switch in an extra resistance but potentiometers are pretty cheap, so swapping out would be the easiest option.






share|improve this answer










New contributor



IgorL is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





$endgroup$



I think the easiest way would be just getting a new variable resistor. You could use a transistor to switch in an extra resistance but potentiometers are pretty cheap, so swapping out would be the easiest option.







share|improve this answer










New contributor



IgorL is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.








share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer








edited 9 hours ago









Greenonline

1,15331024




1,15331024






New contributor



IgorL is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.








answered 9 hours ago









IgorLIgorL

492




492




New contributor



IgorL is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.




New contributor




IgorL is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.













  • $begingroup$
    indeed. its a gas gauge so you want some semblance of linearity and simple solutions will not provide that. that would require transistors to amplify and offset a voltage tuned by the pot and then used to drive a voltage controlled resistor.
    $endgroup$
    – DKNguyen
    9 hours ago











  • $begingroup$
    Since the potentiometer is an integral part of a fuel level sensor, it may not be practical either to find a suitable replacement or to get access to replace it.
    $endgroup$
    – pericynthion
    7 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    @pericynthion However, the entire fuel level sensor may be a replaceable item.
    $endgroup$
    – TimWescott
    7 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    That's where this started - the original ran from 70-140 ohms, so I replaced with an unused item, that still is clearly some way off spec!
    $endgroup$
    – Stuart Leask
    6 hours ago
















  • $begingroup$
    indeed. its a gas gauge so you want some semblance of linearity and simple solutions will not provide that. that would require transistors to amplify and offset a voltage tuned by the pot and then used to drive a voltage controlled resistor.
    $endgroup$
    – DKNguyen
    9 hours ago











  • $begingroup$
    Since the potentiometer is an integral part of a fuel level sensor, it may not be practical either to find a suitable replacement or to get access to replace it.
    $endgroup$
    – pericynthion
    7 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    @pericynthion However, the entire fuel level sensor may be a replaceable item.
    $endgroup$
    – TimWescott
    7 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    That's where this started - the original ran from 70-140 ohms, so I replaced with an unused item, that still is clearly some way off spec!
    $endgroup$
    – Stuart Leask
    6 hours ago















$begingroup$
indeed. its a gas gauge so you want some semblance of linearity and simple solutions will not provide that. that would require transistors to amplify and offset a voltage tuned by the pot and then used to drive a voltage controlled resistor.
$endgroup$
– DKNguyen
9 hours ago





$begingroup$
indeed. its a gas gauge so you want some semblance of linearity and simple solutions will not provide that. that would require transistors to amplify and offset a voltage tuned by the pot and then used to drive a voltage controlled resistor.
$endgroup$
– DKNguyen
9 hours ago













$begingroup$
Since the potentiometer is an integral part of a fuel level sensor, it may not be practical either to find a suitable replacement or to get access to replace it.
$endgroup$
– pericynthion
7 hours ago




$begingroup$
Since the potentiometer is an integral part of a fuel level sensor, it may not be practical either to find a suitable replacement or to get access to replace it.
$endgroup$
– pericynthion
7 hours ago












$begingroup$
@pericynthion However, the entire fuel level sensor may be a replaceable item.
$endgroup$
– TimWescott
7 hours ago




$begingroup$
@pericynthion However, the entire fuel level sensor may be a replaceable item.
$endgroup$
– TimWescott
7 hours ago












$begingroup$
That's where this started - the original ran from 70-140 ohms, so I replaced with an unused item, that still is clearly some way off spec!
$endgroup$
– Stuart Leask
6 hours ago




$begingroup$
That's where this started - the original ran from 70-140 ohms, so I replaced with an unused item, that still is clearly some way off spec!
$endgroup$
– Stuart Leask
6 hours ago













3












$begingroup$


I have a fuel sender in my kit car that goes from 20R to earth (full) to 200R (empty). Unfortunately the gauge (constant current source, measuring resistance to earth?) expects empty to be 240 ohms, so displays '1/4 full' when empty.




Status Spec. Actual Reading Voltage
------------------------------------------
Full 20 Ω 20 Ω 100% 160 mV
Empty 240 Ω 200 Ω 25% 1600 mV
Required voltage 1920 mV




schematic





simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab



Figure 1. (a) What you've got. (b) The voltage reading can be boosted to the correct level by feeding an extra 1.6 mA through the sensor. (c) A simple current source based on 12 V supply and 1920 mV for empty.




What is the simplest analogue way to make 20-200R look like 20-240R?




R4 looks simple to me.



I suspect that the 8 mA source is constant current so that the gauge doesn't fluctuate with revving of the engine (other than that gradual downward trend as you burn up the earth's carbon fuel reserves). To avoid R4 introducing variation you might want to feed it from a stable voltage source - as high as you reasonably can - and recalculate for your new voltage.






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    That looks just the ticket! I'll give it a whirl, thanks.
    $endgroup$
    – Stuart Leask
    3 hours ago















3












$begingroup$


I have a fuel sender in my kit car that goes from 20R to earth (full) to 200R (empty). Unfortunately the gauge (constant current source, measuring resistance to earth?) expects empty to be 240 ohms, so displays '1/4 full' when empty.




Status Spec. Actual Reading Voltage
------------------------------------------
Full 20 Ω 20 Ω 100% 160 mV
Empty 240 Ω 200 Ω 25% 1600 mV
Required voltage 1920 mV




schematic





simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab



Figure 1. (a) What you've got. (b) The voltage reading can be boosted to the correct level by feeding an extra 1.6 mA through the sensor. (c) A simple current source based on 12 V supply and 1920 mV for empty.




What is the simplest analogue way to make 20-200R look like 20-240R?




R4 looks simple to me.



I suspect that the 8 mA source is constant current so that the gauge doesn't fluctuate with revving of the engine (other than that gradual downward trend as you burn up the earth's carbon fuel reserves). To avoid R4 introducing variation you might want to feed it from a stable voltage source - as high as you reasonably can - and recalculate for your new voltage.






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    That looks just the ticket! I'll give it a whirl, thanks.
    $endgroup$
    – Stuart Leask
    3 hours ago













3












3








3





$begingroup$


I have a fuel sender in my kit car that goes from 20R to earth (full) to 200R (empty). Unfortunately the gauge (constant current source, measuring resistance to earth?) expects empty to be 240 ohms, so displays '1/4 full' when empty.




Status Spec. Actual Reading Voltage
------------------------------------------
Full 20 Ω 20 Ω 100% 160 mV
Empty 240 Ω 200 Ω 25% 1600 mV
Required voltage 1920 mV




schematic





simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab



Figure 1. (a) What you've got. (b) The voltage reading can be boosted to the correct level by feeding an extra 1.6 mA through the sensor. (c) A simple current source based on 12 V supply and 1920 mV for empty.




What is the simplest analogue way to make 20-200R look like 20-240R?




R4 looks simple to me.



I suspect that the 8 mA source is constant current so that the gauge doesn't fluctuate with revving of the engine (other than that gradual downward trend as you burn up the earth's carbon fuel reserves). To avoid R4 introducing variation you might want to feed it from a stable voltage source - as high as you reasonably can - and recalculate for your new voltage.






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$




I have a fuel sender in my kit car that goes from 20R to earth (full) to 200R (empty). Unfortunately the gauge (constant current source, measuring resistance to earth?) expects empty to be 240 ohms, so displays '1/4 full' when empty.




Status Spec. Actual Reading Voltage
------------------------------------------
Full 20 Ω 20 Ω 100% 160 mV
Empty 240 Ω 200 Ω 25% 1600 mV
Required voltage 1920 mV




schematic





simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab



Figure 1. (a) What you've got. (b) The voltage reading can be boosted to the correct level by feeding an extra 1.6 mA through the sensor. (c) A simple current source based on 12 V supply and 1920 mV for empty.




What is the simplest analogue way to make 20-200R look like 20-240R?




R4 looks simple to me.



I suspect that the 8 mA source is constant current so that the gauge doesn't fluctuate with revving of the engine (other than that gradual downward trend as you burn up the earth's carbon fuel reserves). To avoid R4 introducing variation you might want to feed it from a stable voltage source - as high as you reasonably can - and recalculate for your new voltage.







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share|improve this answer










answered 6 hours ago









TransistorTransistor

92.1k788199




92.1k788199











  • $begingroup$
    That looks just the ticket! I'll give it a whirl, thanks.
    $endgroup$
    – Stuart Leask
    3 hours ago
















  • $begingroup$
    That looks just the ticket! I'll give it a whirl, thanks.
    $endgroup$
    – Stuart Leask
    3 hours ago















$begingroup$
That looks just the ticket! I'll give it a whirl, thanks.
$endgroup$
– Stuart Leask
3 hours ago




$begingroup$
That looks just the ticket! I'll give it a whirl, thanks.
$endgroup$
– Stuart Leask
3 hours ago











0












$begingroup$

Per your comment "It's a digital gauge that runs about 8mA into the resistor in all positions", you don't actually need to make it "look like a resistor" from the gauge's point of view - you can just provide the gauge with a low-impedance voltage source, where that voltage is a linear function of the sensor resistance. A fairly straightforward op amp circuit should do the trick. You'll want to output a voltage that's 20*.008=0.16 V at one end of the scale and 240*.008=1.920 V at the other end of the scale.






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    Thanks - I was thinking of something around an op-amp, just wondered if there was something more elegant (related to a current mirror?) that anyone one of.
    $endgroup$
    – Stuart Leask
    7 hours ago















0












$begingroup$

Per your comment "It's a digital gauge that runs about 8mA into the resistor in all positions", you don't actually need to make it "look like a resistor" from the gauge's point of view - you can just provide the gauge with a low-impedance voltage source, where that voltage is a linear function of the sensor resistance. A fairly straightforward op amp circuit should do the trick. You'll want to output a voltage that's 20*.008=0.16 V at one end of the scale and 240*.008=1.920 V at the other end of the scale.






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    Thanks - I was thinking of something around an op-amp, just wondered if there was something more elegant (related to a current mirror?) that anyone one of.
    $endgroup$
    – Stuart Leask
    7 hours ago













0












0








0





$begingroup$

Per your comment "It's a digital gauge that runs about 8mA into the resistor in all positions", you don't actually need to make it "look like a resistor" from the gauge's point of view - you can just provide the gauge with a low-impedance voltage source, where that voltage is a linear function of the sensor resistance. A fairly straightforward op amp circuit should do the trick. You'll want to output a voltage that's 20*.008=0.16 V at one end of the scale and 240*.008=1.920 V at the other end of the scale.






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$



Per your comment "It's a digital gauge that runs about 8mA into the resistor in all positions", you don't actually need to make it "look like a resistor" from the gauge's point of view - you can just provide the gauge with a low-impedance voltage source, where that voltage is a linear function of the sensor resistance. A fairly straightforward op amp circuit should do the trick. You'll want to output a voltage that's 20*.008=0.16 V at one end of the scale and 240*.008=1.920 V at the other end of the scale.







share|improve this answer












share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer










answered 7 hours ago









pericynthionpericynthion

4,440929




4,440929











  • $begingroup$
    Thanks - I was thinking of something around an op-amp, just wondered if there was something more elegant (related to a current mirror?) that anyone one of.
    $endgroup$
    – Stuart Leask
    7 hours ago
















  • $begingroup$
    Thanks - I was thinking of something around an op-amp, just wondered if there was something more elegant (related to a current mirror?) that anyone one of.
    $endgroup$
    – Stuart Leask
    7 hours ago















$begingroup$
Thanks - I was thinking of something around an op-amp, just wondered if there was something more elegant (related to a current mirror?) that anyone one of.
$endgroup$
– Stuart Leask
7 hours ago




$begingroup$
Thanks - I was thinking of something around an op-amp, just wondered if there was something more elegant (related to a current mirror?) that anyone one of.
$endgroup$
– Stuart Leask
7 hours ago










Stuart Leask is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.









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Stuart Leask is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.












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Stuart Leask is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.














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