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A simple battery checker

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  • A simple battery checker

    Following a discussion about internal resistance, I find myself checking my batteries quite often, thus, made up a simple checker.
    It's nothing more than a digital Voltmeter, an old Ammeter, momentary switch and terminal posts.
    off.jpgon.jpg
    The bulb is rated at 12V 50W, but I suppose I could parallel two for a harsher test.
    I also found engaging the switch several times before taking a final reading puts more strain on the battery, giving a better reading.
    Dem

  • #2
    Originally posted by FunGas View Post
    Following a discussion about internal resistance, I find myself checking my batteries quite often, thus, made up a simple checker.
    It's nothing more than a digital Voltmeter, an old Ammeter, momentary switch and terminal posts.
    [ATTACH=CONFIG]5512[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5513[/ATTACH]
    The bulb is rated at 12V 50W, but I suppose I could parallel two for a harsher test.
    I also found engaging the switch several times before taking a final reading puts more strain on the battery, giving a better reading.
    Give you a tip I learned from a drunk RC pilot. Get an old blow dryer, take it apart and rewire it to use as a load on for your batteries. They usually have 2 to 4 sections for different wattages. Use an ohmmeter to figure out the resistances. Some RC pilots use them to discharge their LiPo batteries.
    MSEE, PE

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    • #3
      Originally posted by Sunking View Post
      blow dryer
      You mean the heater coils?


      There are some low resistance wirewounds somewhere in the workshop, the 6" variety, failing that I have boxes of surplus, out of tolerance, carbons.
      I've used model car / 12V drill motors with a huge fan before for draining batteries, works well, but they takes up a lot of workbench.

      Come to think of it, there's a brand new 100W Peltier somewhere, doing nothing too. Time for some more experiments...
      Dem

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      • #4
        Yes sorry the heater coils.
        MSEE, PE

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