cell capacity tester

Tryker

1 mW
Joined
Jun 18, 2018
Messages
18
Location
Florence OR
Running a bit confused. Wanting to test amp capacity but all capacity testers only mention/measure volts. Looking for suggestions for multiple testing for amps...not volts. I want to match salvage cells as needed for a small "powerwall" charged by a solar panel setup so the amp capacity is what I need for matching parallel sets with different capacity cells. This is a small "test run" for my outbuildings that I am switching over to 12 v versus household current.
One cell at a time will take a while but I do have time being retired and all. Are there any with multiple cell testing ability?
Oh, this is relevant because I want to eventually charge my ebikes/scooters off this system. so a secondary question...can my Satiator be run off dc current??? I should know but cannot find details. Probably should try harder but es often saves a load of time and confusion.

Daniel
 
do you want to test Amps or AmpHours/WattHour/capacity?

please use the right term, capacity of cells is measured in Wh, or less accurate in Ah, but for that you need to know the median voltage of the cell.
 
You need to either measure Amp hours (Ah or mAh) or Watt hours (Wh). Measuring watt hours is the better way, giving a more complete picture of the battery's health and capacity. However, a cell tester that measures watt hours is an expensive thing.
Measuring amp hours or miliamp hours is far easier and gives a good enough comparison of a battery's capacity. It's good enough for most uses.

there are some chargers that can test the Ah of cells. I've not used them, so i can't vouch for any of them, but here's an example.
https://www.18650batterystore.com/C...mkQOZ4If1j38CuQb7TKip6FT1aTdHc3xoCuEsQAvD_BwE
 
Do you want to measure the capacity of the cells or how much they sag under discharge? From your question it's not clear which.
 
flippy said:
do you want to test Amps or AmpHours/WattHour/capacity?

please use the right term, capacity of cells is measured in Wh, or less accurate in Ah, but for that you need to know the median voltage of the cell.

Good...Amp hours Ah. I know the voltage but for mixed parallel sets I need to match Ah as closely as possible, right?. for example 4 parallel cells at 2600 mAh in series with 3 parallel cells at 3400 so total mAh about same. How does one measure this...with what tool? BTW, numbers are for example and not real situations. Just want to make sure each parallel set is well matched for Ah capacity as well as volts. Since I know my watts (4.2 in all cells...they are virtually unused but sat for a while without a known charge in them so want to test thoroughly. I know some folks use a light bulb to drain down and test and can build from Arduino but I want to buy something rather than make. I do have and use Arduino for some things and can program one if needed but that is a lot of work I would rather not do.
 
flat tire said:
Do you want to measure the capacity of the cells or how much they sag under discharge? From your question it's not clear which.

I want the capacity. Discharge will be small stuff so sag should not be too much of an issue, right? All cells charge and hold 4.2 volts nicely as they are unused but older and were stored in a less than ideal situation without maintenance.
 
howmany cells are you talking about?
 
I use an IMAX pro charger from a hobby shop usually used to charge RC batts. Set for 1s & the right chemistry, charge the cell then use the discharge option set to 1 amp to safely discharge. The IMAX stops & displays the time taken.
A 2000MAh cell in good condition for example takes 120 minutes. 2 hours at 1 amp, 2Ah.

AussieRider
 
AussieRider said:
I use an IMAX pro charger from a hobby shop usually used to charge RC batts. Set for 1s & the right chemistry, charge the cell then use the discharge option set to 1 amp to safely discharge. The IMAX stops & displays the time taken.
A 2000MAh cell in good condition for example takes 120 minutes. 2 hours at 1 amp, 2Ah.

AussieRider
or just read the screen. a imax will tell you the capacity down to the mAh, just not Wh and that is what the real number is.
 
AussieRider said:
I use an IMAX pro charger from a hobby shop usually used to charge RC batts. Set for 1s & the right chemistry, charge the cell then use the discharge option set to 1 amp to safely discharge. The IMAX stops & displays the time taken.
A 2000MAh cell in good condition for example takes 120 minutes. 2 hours at 1 amp, 2Ah.

AussieRider
Thank you so much. You understood my question. I have an ICharger but same functions. (206b). Now hooked up to computer and data logging as I test the "capacity" of each cell. Or should I say Ah and Wh? Thanks to all who replied, I keep learning.
 
Glad to be of help Tryker.
That's what we do on ES.
For single cells, it doesn't matter much if you use Ah or Wh. For batteries ( a "battery" is a string of one or more cells ) though, Wh more accurately describes how much energy is available. 48v 20Ah is 960Wh where 24v 20Ah is only 480Wh, or half as much energy.
I still tend to think in Ah meself though.

AussieRider
 
Dump from my KB notes, sorry not well organized.

Ah or mAh is a much better unit for comparing capacity than Wh, so using a constant **current** discharger with a precise timer, from also precisely defined 100% SoC down to say 2.99V as a proxy for 0% is the way to go.

A slow discharge rate, 0.2C or even 0.05C will give more accurate results, but of course take longer.

Do not rely on Ah-counter "coulomb totalizers", not accurate enough.

________ https://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=1487137#p1487137

EEVBlog Dave homemade
https://youtu.be/8xX2SVcItOA

BK Precision
BK8540 150W max, 60V (2.5A) 40A (3.75V)
constant Amps, constant Voltage or constant Resistance

see Hyperion - chargers?

Cheap coulomb counter TF01N
100A version? https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32272229618.html

Cylindrical battery cell holder fixture
4-wire four-wire
https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32717327856.html

BF-2A 4-Wire Battery Charge/Discharge Fixture Holder Clamp
https://m.fasttech.com/p/5339400


BF-30-60A
aluminum alloy CNC
18650 vs 26650 separate holders?
https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32824553260.html

https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32717327856.html

________
cheap small 6S? checker, light bulb discharging
myrcmart rcx-3in1 careful which one
https://youtu.be/htY2mHTx3kQ

_______
https://www.google.com/search?q=Electronic-Load-Constant-Voltage-Constant-Current-Constant-Power-Module-485-Communication-Control

PL8v2, or West Mountain CBA IV from westcoastmountain.com (expensive!)

It is OK to charge the Pb while using it as a power source for the Cell Pro.

Big passive vs active load devices
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?2406395-An-effective-variable-load-automatic-LiPo-discharger/page32#post40969831

jj604;40969831 said:
I tested all 12 of mine and they were accurate and consistent.

Electronic load - $30+ Ali, Amazon, eBay, Banggood
10A, up to 150W @ 60V
4-wire power input, can have separate V sense
requires 12V supply
set Voltage to LVC stop point in test, and / or to protect source

Good for **under** 200Ah if using 20-hour discharge rate

______
Top-notch thread
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?1107072-How-to-build-a-constant-current-discharger

connect the battery straight into a MOSFET bank. An arduino to monitor the current and adjust PWM

another https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?3189173-New-LiPo-discharger-Maylibet

________
Banggood source
https://usa-m.banggood.com/150W-Constant-Current-Electronic-Load-60V-10A-Battery-Discharge-Capacity-Tester-1602-LCD-Display-p-1255707.html

https://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=98407

_______
https://www.integy.com/st_main.html?p_catid=199#.XE0hIxhOl-H

https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?2115921-Turnigy-Reaktor-300W-20A-6S-Balance-Charger/page63#post32914586

regen tips
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?2115921-Turnigy-Reaktor-300W-20A-6S-Balance-Charger/page67#post33064904


cheap 3-in-1
http://www.myrcmart.com/rcx-3in1-battery-balancer-discharger-voltage-indicator-150w-discharging-p-4767.html

4010 specific https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?1801512-New-iCharger-4010DUO-308DUO-406DUO-Have-Been-Released%21%21%21/page477#post41023783

__________
ZKE, ZKETECH

EBD USB ZKE EBD-USB Capacity tester
EBD-USB+ Electronic Load QC3.0 MTK-PE Trigger Voltage Current Capacity Tester
for 18650 other small AH Loads
Supply power: online USB power supply (5V)
- Voltage range: 0-21V
- Current range: 0-4.000A
- Test mode: constant current discharging, QC2.0/3.0 trigger, MTK-PE trigger, USB current voltage detection
- Max power: 35W
- Computer control software: support EB online software test (computer control, curve drawing, measuring datum correction, device firmware upgrade, power current test, etc.)

PC Software for logging, good for data logging
EB V1.8 Build 1018 software and PL 2303 drive

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?cmd=SKW&_pgn=1&_nkw=EBD+USB+Electronic+Load

https://lygte-info.dk/review/Review%20Electronic%20load%20ZKE%20EBD-USB%20UK.html

Look for English version

Good YT channels
https://youtu.be/VDCShH-zj0U

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm5sG3-BXQZfVy3st2T_XKg
________
EBC-A20 Battery **charger** and Capacity Tester

EBC-A20 PC programmable battery tester
review and impressions
https://m.banggood.com/EBC-A20-Battery-Tester-30V-20A-85W-Lithium-Lead-acid-Batteries-Capacity-Test-5A-Charge-20A-Discharge-Support-PC-Software-Control-p-1524239.html?rmmds=search

https://www.reddit.com/r/flashlight/comments/76jeta/ebca20_pc_programmable_battery_tester_review_and


5A Charge, so can do auto charge/discharge routine

discharge 20A (@4.2V) power 85W, so @8.4V can be 10A, and higher voltage is less than 10A
Voltage setting:0.00-30V
supply: DC19V-20V, current 3.5+A

Max 18V when charging, 5A


review

sources

Shenzhen Tianzhongtian Trading Co., Ltd. https://m.alibaba.com/product/60679055319/EBC-A20-Li-po-Battery-Capacity.html


https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32841433205.html
http://www.thanksbuyer.com/ebc-a20-li-po-battery-capacity-tester-5a-charge-20a-discharge-85w-multifunction-battery-current-test-54142

other models same company
http://zketech.m.icoc.in
http://zketech.m.icoc.in/pd.jsp?pid=21#_pp=2_303
https://m.imgur.com/JlTnlrt?r
EBC-A05
EBC-A05+
see https://youtu.be/G8Tfdbmb7L8

EBC-A10H
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Electronic-Load-Battery-Capacity-Tester-Mobile-Power-Head-Tester-Mini-USB-I-F/223496804471

Built-in 24 V power supply module.

power supply: AC110-220V

Voltage setting: Discaharge: 0.00-30.00 V, the minimum step 0.01 V
charge: 0.00-22.00 V, the minimum step 0.01 V
current setting: Discharge: 0.05-10.00 Minimum step 0.01A (power limit automatically when limit)
charge: 0.05-5.00A Minimum step 0.01A (maximum current is affected by supply current)

Discharge mode: DSC-CC: discharge current constant, used to test battery capacity or power supply current

DSC-CP discharge power is constant, used to simulate constant power equipment or test power
charging mode: standard charge: support nickel-metal-hydride, nickel-chromium, lithium, iron lithium, lead-acid

CHG-CV: custom constant current constant voltage charging, only for batteries

Automatic charging & discharging: support automatic charging-discharge-charging mode, used to test battery capacity

Voltage test: 0.000-4.500 V (low pressure) accuracy to 0.003 V, error ± 0.5%
4.50 V-30.00 V (high presure) accuracy up to 0.01 V, error ± 0.5%
current test: 0.05-10.00A, accuracy to 0.005A, error ± 0.5%
capacity test: 10Ah, the resolution of 0.001Ah
10AH-100Ah, the resolution of 0.01Ah
above 100Ah, the resolution 0.1Ah

Connection: Four-wire detection, voltage and current channel separate wiring, ensure measurement accuracy

LCD screen: voltage, current, capacity, time, power, energy test data

Computer Online: dedicated USB serial port TTL (Mini USB port, not a regular usb cable) computer control, plot plotting, calibration benchmarking, firmware upgrade, cycle charge / discharge etc.



EBD-A20H
https://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-EBD-A20H-Electronic-Load-Power-Battery-Capacity-Tester-Power-Supply-Test/123787369920

EBD-A20H higher discharge
Input Power Supply: DC 12V 1A 
Voltage range (Volt Range): 
Low profile: 0.000-4.500V 
High speed: 4.50-30.00V 
Current Range 0.20 - 20.00A (20H) 
Maximum power: 120W / 150W
@30V only 5A
@12V 12A (240Ah lead bank)
@6V max 20A 120W (400Ah)
@3.2 also 20A 64W (9+hrs for 180Ah cell)
Test Mode (Test Mode):
constant current (CC) or constant power (CP)
Suitable for: Batteries and Power
LCD: voltage, current, power, time, capacity, energy and other test data
Online Software: connection via a dedicated USB to TTL serial cable 

EBC-B20H is a battery capacity tester for battery capacity test 12V-72V, built-in discharge load resistance, support external charger, automatic charge and discharge, support online computer drawing curves.
Specification:- power supply: AC220V- discharge current: 0.10-20.00A (maximum 12V of 10A battery pack, 24-72V battery pack Max 20A)- termination voltage: 9.00-88.00V, suitable for 12-72V battery range- charge measurement: 0.10-20.00A

EBC-A40L
EBC-X0510
EBC-X0510A

_________
"Electronic Load" USB
Battery Capacity Tester

6 in 1 35W 4A Multifunction OLED USB Electronic Load CC Battery Capacity Tester

UM25C


https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-UM34C-USB-Tester-HD35-Intelligent-Trigger-Electronic-Load/173755905821

MakerHawk 150W

_________
zpb30a1 100W $30
FOSS!
https://hackaday.com/2018/09/06/zpb30a1-electronic-load-gets-an-open-firmware/

DIY hacks
100A
https://hackaday.com/2017/02/28/beefy-100-amp-electronic-load-uses-two-mosfets/
https://hackaday.com/2013/10/28/building-a-dc-constant-currentpower-electric-load/
_________
UM34C Type-C loads, 5A 25V 35W 
+ HD35
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-UM34C-USB-Tester-HD35-Intelligent-Trigger-Electronic-Load/173755905821

Other Type-C
https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Dual-TYPE-C-USB-PD-Fast-Charge-Tester-Meter-Auto-Detection-QC3-0-2-0-4-0-JS/223447729766

_________
iCharger discussion

https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?p=41567843

________
SkyRC BD200 discharger 200W and 30A capable. At $65. Constant amps setting possible

__________
Under a very light discharge rate like the capacity testing standard C/20 (5A load per 100AH capacity), 10.5V "live" is the same SoC as around 11.8V resting.

http://www.yachtingmonthly.com/archive/battery-power-26009

http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/how_to_prime_batteries

http://www.cartsunlimited.net/battery-break-in-.html

________
cheap
60W Electronic Dummy Load Battery Tester Banggood: http://voltlog.com/y/9lbrq
Ebay: http://voltlog.com/y/293qw
Amazon: http://voltlog.com/y/5a6be
60W Dummy Load Range Mod 20mA to 999mA https://youtu.be/K-7kgfbH-eI
60W Dummy Load Reverse Engineering Video https://youtu.be/KYncNH8_m70

_______
"Digital Battery Capacity Tester"
Banggood, Ali, $5, more limited than ZB2L3
5V max, **no** adjustable cutoff voltage
not really adjustable load current, set via resistor
current not CC, varies with voltage

Zhiyu
ZB206+ V1.3 Battery tester


ZB2L3 v2.0 Battery tester, 3A, 15V max
yes adjustable cutoff voltage
not really adjustable load current, set via resistor
current not CC, varies with voltage
comes with 5W resistor, replace w/ 50W & heatsink

ZPB30A1 Electronic load

________
150 or 180W
8 In 1 Digital Battery Capacity Tester Voltmeter Adjustable Constant Current Electronic Load Charger USB Meter Indicator 180W
no "cutoff" voltage, just alarm
input 4~30V range
max 200V measure
20A

https://m.banggood.com/8-In-1-150W180W-Digital-Battery-Capacity-Tester-Voltmeter-p-1248703.html

_______
150W electronic load
60V 10A constant current electronic load.
1602 LCD display: clear and convenient for readings.
Power Supply DC 12V ±5%
Load Mode: Constant Current Load
Load Voltage: 0.5-60V
Load Current: 0-10A
Maximum Power: 150W
https://m.banggood.com/150W-Constant-Current-Electronic-Load-60V-10A-Battery-Discharge-Capacity-Tester-1602-LCD-Display-p-1255707.html


_______
250W Discharge Battery Capacity Tester Module With DC Electronic Load Digital Battery Tester
power supply 12Vdc
0-10A
Working Mode: Single Mode Constant Current(CC)
Set constant current through knobs.
no voltage and power limitation, but normal work should be below 100V, 250W
https://m.banggood.com/250W-DC-12V-Discharge-Battery-Capacity-Tester-Module-With-DC-Electronic-Load-Digital-Battery-Tester-p-1383823.html
-------
100W Battery Capacity Tester Module
ID:1337352
https://www.banggood.com/100W-DC-12V-Discharge-Battery-Capacity-Tester-Module-With-DC-Electronic-Load-Digital-Battery-Tester-p-1337352.html

_______
KZ35 USB Intelligent Trigger Electronic Load Tester
https://m.banggood.com/KZ35-35W-4A-USB-Intelligent-Trigger-Electronic-Load-Fast-Charge-Tester-Voltmeter-Battery-Capacity-Tester-p-1444154.html

 
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