Hello everybody. This is my first post with any engineer's forum.
Our dilemma: We require a low current LED to blink until a small button-cell battery goes dead. The LED will not be activated until 2-3 years pass. I assume that we cannot use a circuit that uses power for the years needed. However, I could be mistaken about my guess. I specifically require power to make the LED blink after the time period mentioned for a week or two, or perhaps as long as the power source lasts. Here are the qualifications:
- Can a button-cell power a circuit for two years, and then blink an LED for several days or weeks later on time?
- Do I use a countdown circuit? And will that use power up to and including the LED blinking?
- This needs to be done at a low expense to me because we are a nonprofit and our budget is small.
- I need to make 50 pcs. for a trial, then hundreds.
- I will work with volunteers here in CA, at my workshop for assembly and shipping. No other-country assembly necessary.
- How long would a button-cell battery last over 2 yrs.? Or, more? Is it possible? Do I need Lithium which will increase the cost of materials and perhaps be a potential fire hazard?
- This device will be used by the poor and struggling peoples that only need to see the blinking LED. No switch, no connectors, or anything that a person needs to do for this device to do its job. It must be 100% self-reliant.
- Not solar powered.
- Is there a material or semiconductor that will dissolve in the time needed that will cause a current to flow?
- Is this materials science? Or chemical science?
- My major is Nonprofit Business Administration, not electronics. We deeply appreciate any help and assistance. I will keep you or your organization informed of our progress and updates from field tests. You can even choose a name for the device, or sponsor the use of the device through yourself, or your organization. Often times, businesses and corporations have a Social Responsibility Program that loves to share information. We depend on outside help and we treat all help as tremendously valuable and precious.
- Thank you very much for your time and effort.