Burn testing batteries

***Bob Cooper*** · October 3rd, 2006, 03:18 PM

Somebody showed me a neat little gadget the other day which plugs into a PC and continually logs battery voltage during a burn-test. You could even set alarms to trigger when the battery reaches 20V (or 10V for a light).

Trouble is, I forgot who showed it to me....!

Does anybody know what I'm talking about here? and where should I start looking in the RS catalougue?

I'm just looking for a reasonably cheap way of automating my burn-tests.

Thanks

Bob

*Rich Walker* · October 3rd, 2006, 03:39 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Bob Cooper)

Somebody showed me a neat little gadget the other day which plugs into a PC and continually logs battery voltage during a burn-test. You could even set alarms to trigger when the battery reaches 20V (or 10V for a light).

Trouble is, I forgot who showed it to me....!

Does anybody know what I'm talking about here? and where should I start looking in the RS catalougue?

I'm just looking for a reasonably cheap way of automating my burn-tests.

Thanks

Bob

Bob,

This wouldn't be too tricky to build. Want me to knock you one up?

Rich

caverkevin · October 3rd, 2006, 03:51 PM

Bob,

Sounds like the CBA II that is being marketed by Salvo.

http://www.salvodiving.com/burntester

There are other product on the market also for checking batteries. I have been checking this one out as well. http://www.medusaproducts.com/Other/.../PA-60100T.htm More for use inside a scooter in conjuction with the data logger. To check batteries under real world conditions.

There is a lot of stuff out there. Most of it is centered around RC model toys. Like this charge. http://www.electrifly.com/chargers/gpmm3150.html I like the looks of this charge as I could do Nimh light & scooter packs and Pb acid packs as well. All powered from 12VDC. So I could charge in my car or on a boat with out a inverter.

As a side note. Look me up the next time you make it to Florida. I will be down around Tampa for good in about one week. We'll go dive Eagle's Nest or something fun

Cheers!!

Kevin

MarkT · October 3rd, 2006, 04:01 PM

I used to be into this sort of thing a few years ago, even built a couple of computerized cell matching systems for two local hobby stores.

The problem with the smaller 'do everything' chargers is that when they are cycling the cells to provide capacity information they can rarely actually provide a stable load equivalent to the normal usage so the information isn't all that accurate.

The burntester looks like it has a serious cooling fan so stands a better chance of working reliably.

TobyFish · October 3rd, 2006, 04:04 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by caverkevin)

I could do Nimh light & scooter packs and Pb acid packs as well. All powered from 12VDC. So I could charge in my car

you may also want to invest in a set of these

Car Booster Cables 25mm Booster Cables / Jump Leads from Halfords Price £19.99

MarkT · October 3rd, 2006, 04:08 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by TobyFish)

you may also want to invest in a set of these

Car Booster Cables 25mm Booster Cables / Jump Leads from Halfords Price £19.99

Very true

I'd be more inclined to use a marine or caravan battery that is build for deep discharge applications if you really want to do some recharging in the wild.

Seen more than one person misjudge how much power they were sucking out of their car battery at model racing events over the years

caverkevin · October 3rd, 2006, 06:06 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by TobyFish)

you may also want to invest in a set of these

Car Booster Cables 25mm Booster Cables / Jump Leads from Halfords Price £19.99

Must be a mind reader!!!

I am heading out this afternoon to pick up a heavy duty set of cables. As the truck behind my new-to-me 1972 Lincoln Continental Pimp Ride

has small electrical load while it is not running. Hence the hood up with the charge on the battery. If I keep the pimp ride for my new cave-mobile. There will be a new high output alternator attached to the 460 cubic inch big block V-8 under the hood. Then a couple sets of old scooter batteries to power the beer cooler.

You do have to remember that logistics of diving are very different every where in the world. In the US, I may spend a bunch of time behind the wheel driving from site to site. So powering a charge while the car is running anyways in not a huge issue.

Cheers!!

Kevin

PS sorry I had to cross post to another board for the pic, but could not get it load here as a attachment.

Joe Hesketh · October 3rd, 2006, 06:28 PM

Hey Kevin - that pimp ride is hilarious

Just a little different to your last European transport!

Joe

TobyFish · October 3rd, 2006, 07:13 PM

It's good to see you blurring the lines between bar-car, pimp-ride and dive-bus. I'll try to dd a picture of my own new wheels that blur the lines between dive-bus, dad-mobile and shit-heap. We'll show htat Clare G what dive wheels are REALLY all about

caverkevin · October 3rd, 2006, 11:03 PM

Hey Joe,I would rather have the little euro car. As the 10 miles to the gallon with the big V8 is going to kill me when I drive to Florida. The room is awesome. I have three sets of double and three stages in the trunk with room to spare. Plus, with this car I will look super cool parked at Ginnie

Cheers!!Kevin

Quote: (Originally Posted by Joe Hesketh)

Hey Kevin - that pimp ride is hilarious

Just a little different to your last European transport!

Joe

October 3rd, 2006, 03:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
*Bob Cooper*(Offline) Moderator - "Don't stop me now!" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: South East London, UK Posts: 680	Burn testing batteries Somebody showed me a neat little gadget the other day which plugs into a PC and continually logs battery voltage during a burn-test. You could even set alarms to trigger when the battery reaches 20V (or 10V for a light). Trouble is, I forgot who showed it to me....! Does anybody know what I'm talking about here? and where should I start looking in the RS catalougue? I'm just looking for a reasonably cheap way of automating my burn-tests. Thanks Bob

October 3rd, 2006, 03:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
Rich Walker(Offline) GUE Instructor Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sheffield Posts: 300	Quote: (Originally Posted by Bob Cooper) Somebody showed me a neat little gadget the other day which plugs into a PC and continually logs battery voltage during a burn-test. You could even set alarms to trigger when the battery reaches 20V (or 10V for a light). Trouble is, I forgot who showed it to me....! Does anybody know what I'm talking about here? and where should I start looking in the RS catalougue? I'm just looking for a reasonably cheap way of automating my burn-tests. Thanks Bob Bob, This wouldn't be too tricky to build. Want me to knock you one up? Rich __________________ Education, Equipment, Experience GUE training with Rich Walker

October 3rd, 2006, 03:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
caverkevin (Online) Doing It Caverkevin Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: North Kackilackie Posts: 360	Bob, Sounds like the CBA II that is being marketed by Salvo. http://www.salvodiving.com/burntester There are other product on the market also for checking batteries. I have been checking this one out as well. http://www.medusaproducts.com/Other/.../PA-60100T.htm More for use inside a scooter in conjuction with the data logger. To check batteries under real world conditions. There is a lot of stuff out there. Most of it is centered around RC model toys. Like this charge. http://www.electrifly.com/chargers/gpmm3150.html I like the looks of this charge as I could do Nimh light & scooter packs and Pb acid packs as well. All powered from 12VDC. So I could charge in my car or on a boat with out a inverter. As a side note. Look me up the next time you make it to Florida. I will be down around Tampa for good in about one week. We'll go dive Eagle's Nest or something fun Cheers!! Kevin

October 3rd, 2006, 04:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
MarkT(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Aylesbury Posts: 233	I used to be into this sort of thing a few years ago, even built a couple of computerized cell matching systems for two local hobby stores. The problem with the smaller 'do everything' chargers is that when they are cycling the cells to provide capacity information they can rarely actually provide a stable load equivalent to the normal usage so the information isn't all that accurate. The burntester looks like it has a serious cooling fan so stands a better chance of working reliably.

October 3rd, 2006, 04:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
TobyFish(Offline) Fine Upstanding Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Telford, UK Posts: 794	Quote: (Originally Posted by caverkevin) I could do Nimh light & scooter packs and Pb acid packs as well. All powered from 12VDC. So I could charge in my car you may also want to invest in a set of these Car Booster Cables 25mm Booster Cables / Jump Leads from Halfords Price £19.99

October 3rd, 2006, 04:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
MarkT(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Aylesbury Posts: 233	Quote: (Originally Posted by TobyFish) you may also want to invest in a set of these Car Booster Cables 25mm Booster Cables / Jump Leads from Halfords Price £19.99 Very true I'd be more inclined to use a marine or caravan battery that is build for deep discharge applications if you really want to do some recharging in the wild. Seen more than one person misjudge how much power they were sucking out of their car battery at model racing events over the years

October 3rd, 2006, 06:06 PM	#7 (permalink)
caverkevin (Online) Doing It Caverkevin Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: North Kackilackie Posts: 360	Quote: (Originally Posted by TobyFish) you may also want to invest in a set of these Car Booster Cables 25mm Booster Cables / Jump Leads from Halfords Price £19.99 Must be a mind reader!!! I am heading out this afternoon to pick up a heavy duty set of cables. As the truck behind my new-to-me 1972 Lincoln Continental Pimp Ride has small electrical load while it is not running. Hence the hood up with the charge on the battery. If I keep the pimp ride for my new cave-mobile. There will be a new high output alternator attached to the 460 cubic inch big block V-8 under the hood. Then a couple sets of old scooter batteries to power the beer cooler. You do have to remember that logistics of diving are very different every where in the world. In the US, I may spend a bunch of time behind the wheel driving from site to site. So powering a charge while the car is running anyways in not a huge issue. Cheers!! Kevin PS sorry I had to cross post to another board for the pic, but could not get it load here as a attachment.

October 3rd, 2006, 06:28 PM	#8 (permalink)
Joe Hesketh (Online) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 657	Hey Kevin - that pimp ride is hilarious Just a little different to your last European transport! Joe

October 3rd, 2006, 07:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
TobyFish(Offline) Fine Upstanding Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Telford, UK Posts: 794	It's good to see you blurring the lines between bar-car, pimp-ride and dive-bus. I'll try to dd a picture of my own new wheels that blur the lines between dive-bus, dad-mobile and shit-heap. We'll show htat Clare G what dive wheels are REALLY all about

October 3rd, 2006, 11:03 PM	#10 (permalink)
caverkevin (Online) Doing It Caverkevin Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: North Kackilackie Posts: 360	Hey Joe,I would rather have the little euro car. As the 10 miles to the gallon with the big V8 is going to kill me when I drive to Florida. The room is awesome. I have three sets of double and three stages in the trunk with room to spare. Plus, with this car I will look super cool parked at Ginnie Cheers!!Kevin Quote: (Originally Posted by Joe Hesketh) Hey Kevin - that pimp ride is hilarious Just a little different to your last European transport! Joe