On Sun, 16 Sep 2012 11:53:22 +0200, you wrote: >=20 >Hi, > >thanks for all the input! > >The proposal to let float the cold end of the voltage divider by simply >connecting it to a PIC input port appears as a rather dirty solution to me= , >for due to the protection diodes an undefined current flow "to somewhere" >can happen. (I once operated a 628A by simply connecting a RS232 Rx line t= o >constant +5V (idle state) via a 1k resistor!) > >The proposal with the MOSFET to apply the battery voltage to the divider i= s >surely professional, but I like most the solution with the PNP transistor >which base is "triggered" via the capacitor! This solution surely consumes >nothing but the base-collector current plus the leakage current through th= e >capacitor which both are way lower than those 2=B5A of my 1702. May be the= PNP >can be replaced by a Mosfet. Yes you could use a fet, and it would be slightly more accurate.=20 The base current is not an issue as it's nly drawn for a short time when yo= u read the battery=20 voltage. Leakage on a ceramic cap is negligible, probably not even measurab= le.=20 Incidentally the IO line used to switch the divider can often be shared wit= h something else if pins are in short supply.=20 --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .