Mick writes: There is a correlation between battery internal resistance and energy delivery...so this type of tester is based on real science. Some of the testers measure resistance (impedance) and some measure conductivity (the inverse of impedance).
Conductivity is a bit more intuitive because a bigger number then correlates into bigger energy. Mfr's who focus on conductivity use the value "mhos" which is the opposite of ohms. Automotive type testers give a readout in "cranking amps" because it's fairly simple math to translate conductivity into short term surge capability. For deep cycle batteries, however, few testers can provide a readout in amp-hours. Instead they give a measurement of milli-mohs, milliohms, etc. For these numbers to be meaningful, the technician must have a baseline reference value which either comes from the battery mfr. or from measurements when the battery is new. The reading for "today" is compared against the historical readings...then math is applied to estimate the amount of battery capacity that has been lost relative to brand new. State of charge always affects conductivity so the battery must reach identical charge parameters before each test. Battery technicians in the telecommunications world are a big target market for this type of equipment. They measure each individual two volt cell; that generates a lot of numbers to keep up with. Training which is aimed at mainstream battery techs might be good for us alternate energy types to access, but I for one don't have a (suitably well heeled & motivated) customer base to pay for such high level service. An inexpensive way to learn more might be the battery capacity tester from Elk Products. This is intended for small alarm system batteries but IIRC it reads a 12 volt monobloc with one test and it provides a readout directly in amp hours. Later... On Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:08:44 -0700, "Larry Crutcher, Starlight Solar" <la...@starlightsolar.com> wrote: > YES! The IBEX tests up to 6000AH. > > Larry > > On Mar 27, 2009, at 4:02 PM, Dana wrote: > >> NWES sells 600 to 2000 AHR batteries will these units test in that >> range? >> >> >> >> >> Dana Orzel >> >> Great Solar Works, Inc >> www.solarwork.com >> E - d...@solarwork.com >> V - 970.626.5253 >> F - 970.626.4140 >> C - 970.209.4076 >> “I'd put my money on solar energy… I hope we don't have to wait 'til > >> oil and coal run out before we tackle that.” >> —Thomas Edison, in conversation with Henry Ford and Harvey >> Firestone, March 1931 >> >> From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org > [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org >> ] On Behalf Of Larry Crutcher, Starlight Solar >> Sent: Friday, March 27, 2009 4:55 PM >> To: RE-wrenches >> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] FW: Battery impedance analyzers >> >> Dana, >> That was a strange response you got. Just because someone buys a >> damaged battery on eBay that later needs replacing means nothing. To >> say "the battery industry is working on a reliable device" sounds >> like this person is unfamiliar with this type of equipment. There >> are several analyzer manufactures building high tech models. Some >> models cost over $7000. I doubt they would have a market if there >> operation or value was questionable. >> >> See: >> http://www.sbsbattery.com/subpage_index.php?_subp_=94 >> >> http://www.btechinc.com/btech-products-pit.shtml >> >> Larry >> >> On Mar 27, 2009, at 2:01 PM, Dana wrote: >> >> >> I forwarded this query to Rob Shappell of NWES here is his response. >> SEE Below. >> >> Dana Orzel >> >> Great Solar Works, Inc >> www.solarwork.com >> E - d...@solarwork.com >> V - 970.626.5253 >> F - 970.626.4140 >> C - 970.209.4076 >> “I'd put my money on solar energy… I hope we don't have to wait 'til > >> oil and coal run out before we tackle that.” >> —Thomas Edison, in conversation with Henry Ford and Harvey >> Firestone, March 1931 >> >> From: Rob Shappell [mailto:r...@nwes.com] >> Sent: Friday, March 27, 2009 2:04 PM >> To: d...@solarwork.com >> Subject: RE: [RE-wrenches] Battery impedance analyzers >> >> Hi Dana, >> >> I have no direct information as to their abilities. >> >> What I can say is that we had a battery that looked like it was >> melted down, I'm talking about lead terminals that were drooping and >> melted!! They were cooked and starved of electrolyte! We replaced >> the batteries, but some how the cooked batteries got into the hands >> of a guy who had an impedance analyzers. He cleaned them up and did >> some testing and claimed that the batteries were all OK. Not long >> thereafter, the cooked batteries showed up on eBay. Not too long >> after that, we sold replacement cells…..you be the judge. >> >> The battery industry is working on a reliable device that makes it >> much easier to determine the health of a battery, but I think it is >> hit and miss at this point in time. >> >> Rob >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> List sponsored by Home Power magazine >> >> List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org >> >> Options & settings: >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> List-Archive: > http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> List rules & etiquette: >> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm >> >> Check out participant bios: >> www.members.re-wrenches.org >> _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
