wolfdad
04-13-2005, 01:44 PM
Available from:
West Mountain Radio (http://www.westmountainradio.com)
or
Powerwerx (http://www.powerwerx.com)
Cost: $100 (approximate), Optional thermal probe - $20 (approximate)
This is a basic "down and dirty" on the item.
The first thing I would say is that this is a well-spent investment if you value your batteries. With the included software, it will discharge and will graphically chart the battery's discharge based on inputs provided by the user (voltage, number of cells, mah battery rating, and load amperage). One nice thing is that the unit is basically "idiot proof (has to be for me)" and, even though you can input the settings, the unit will not let you insert inputs that will get you into trouble.
This unit will allow you to get a baseline battery curve on, say, a new battery, then it will allow you to save that curve for future reference. One of the really neat things you can do with the charting capability is overlay a previous battery run on top of a current run, so you can actually trend your batterys over the course of time and can be handy in identifying a bad cell, memory sets, etc. The software also provides a way to print out labels for your battery giving you the date, and basic data to keep track of the battery visually.
As stated, this is a "down and dirty" initial report only as I have only scratched the surface on this unit's total capabilities. The software has an extremely well-written "help" section that describes in detail all the "how-to's" within the unit's capability. One area that I am interested in is one entitled "testing your charger." Supposedly, this unit can give you a basic "bill of health" on most chargers as well as cycling and charting your batteries...more to come on this later.
Pro's: Cost (fairly reasonable at about $100, considering what you spend on batteries, long term), Versatility (will cycle and graphically chart the discharge curves on any battery from lead {PB} to Lithium Ion {LiIon} including Nicad's and Nimh's). Information displayed (charts discharge curve with the ability to overlay previous battery runs for comparison). An optional ($20) temp probe is available, however temp is not charted but visibile in a window on the side of the screen as the battery is discharged.
Con's: Really only one that I saw and that is the fact that the unit comes with Anderson Power Pole connectors, so you may have to modify or make new leads to use the product, however this is a minor inconvenience for most of us. You could also consider the fact that, to use the unit's full capability/software charting, you will need preferably a laptop if you plan on using the unit in the field or it will work with a desk top through any USB input port. All required software is provided at the cost of the unit.
Summary: First of all, I will provide more info as I use the unit both in the field and on the bench, however, from my limited exposure to the CBA II unit, I would whole-heartedly state that this is a purchase well worth making.
Doc
West Mountain Radio (http://www.westmountainradio.com)
or
Powerwerx (http://www.powerwerx.com)
Cost: $100 (approximate), Optional thermal probe - $20 (approximate)
This is a basic "down and dirty" on the item.
The first thing I would say is that this is a well-spent investment if you value your batteries. With the included software, it will discharge and will graphically chart the battery's discharge based on inputs provided by the user (voltage, number of cells, mah battery rating, and load amperage). One nice thing is that the unit is basically "idiot proof (has to be for me)" and, even though you can input the settings, the unit will not let you insert inputs that will get you into trouble.
This unit will allow you to get a baseline battery curve on, say, a new battery, then it will allow you to save that curve for future reference. One of the really neat things you can do with the charting capability is overlay a previous battery run on top of a current run, so you can actually trend your batterys over the course of time and can be handy in identifying a bad cell, memory sets, etc. The software also provides a way to print out labels for your battery giving you the date, and basic data to keep track of the battery visually.
As stated, this is a "down and dirty" initial report only as I have only scratched the surface on this unit's total capabilities. The software has an extremely well-written "help" section that describes in detail all the "how-to's" within the unit's capability. One area that I am interested in is one entitled "testing your charger." Supposedly, this unit can give you a basic "bill of health" on most chargers as well as cycling and charting your batteries...more to come on this later.
Pro's: Cost (fairly reasonable at about $100, considering what you spend on batteries, long term), Versatility (will cycle and graphically chart the discharge curves on any battery from lead {PB} to Lithium Ion {LiIon} including Nicad's and Nimh's). Information displayed (charts discharge curve with the ability to overlay previous battery runs for comparison). An optional ($20) temp probe is available, however temp is not charted but visibile in a window on the side of the screen as the battery is discharged.
Con's: Really only one that I saw and that is the fact that the unit comes with Anderson Power Pole connectors, so you may have to modify or make new leads to use the product, however this is a minor inconvenience for most of us. You could also consider the fact that, to use the unit's full capability/software charting, you will need preferably a laptop if you plan on using the unit in the field or it will work with a desk top through any USB input port. All required software is provided at the cost of the unit.
Summary: First of all, I will provide more info as I use the unit both in the field and on the bench, however, from my limited exposure to the CBA II unit, I would whole-heartedly state that this is a purchase well worth making.
Doc