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Lithium cell (and battery) capacity tester with clever circuitry
These modules are incredibly common online and will typically cost just a few dollars/pounds/euros.
The original version had a calibration function in the software, but they seem to have removed that to allow the use of a cheaper microcontroller and the accuracy may be dependent on component tolerance now. I tested this module and the voltage and current measurements were surprisingly accurate.
These units test cells/batteries up to 15V and at up to 3A by letting you use your own choice of discharge resistor. Keep in mind that at higher voltages the power dissipation of the resistors can be quite high. I tend to use a single 7.5 ohm resistor, which gives a discharge current of around 500mA that will lower slightly as the cell voltage drops.
To test the cell you use the up/down buttons to set the end of discharge voltage (typically around 3V for lithium cells) and then press OK to start the test. The unit then displays mAh, discharge-current and cell-voltage on the display. When the termination voltage you have set is reached the unit stops discharging the cell and strobes the display with the mAh capacity it has measured.
You can buy these from many online sources. Here's a link to the item on AliExpress (not a sponsor).
This is an affiliate link, but that will not affect the price you pay.
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c2xnjnBB
Typical cost should be around 2-3 earth credits.
Here are some typical end of discharge voltages you could use:-
12V lead acid battery - around 12V
Standard lithium cell - around 3V
LiFePO4 lithium cell - around 2.5V
NiMh cell - around 1V
Alkaline cell - around 1V
If you enjoy my videos then the easiest way to support the channel is to subscribe and enjoy the regular content. But if you would like to contribute a dollar or two for coffee, cookies and gadgets to take apart, you can do so by supporting me on Patreon. I release videos without adverts for critique and feedback on Patreon as soon as they have been made. I also do Patreon live streams, which are much more relaxed and chatty than the busy public ones.
https://www.patreon.com/bigclive
Alternatively, for a single coffee contribution you can use PayPal:-
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bigclive
#ElectronicsCreators
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kP9w6Dx6cuA
The original version had a calibration function in the software, but they seem to have removed that to allow the use of a cheaper microcontroller and the accuracy may be dependent on component tolerance now. I tested this module and the voltage and current measurements were surprisingly accurate.
These units test cells/batteries up to 15V and at up to 3A by letting you use your own choice of discharge resistor. Keep in mind that at higher voltages the power dissipation of the resistors can be quite high. I tend to use a single 7.5 ohm resistor, which gives a discharge current of around 500mA that will lower slightly as the cell voltage drops.
To test the cell you use the up/down buttons to set the end of discharge voltage (typically around 3V for lithium cells) and then press OK to start the test. The unit then displays mAh, discharge-current and cell-voltage on the display. When the termination voltage you have set is reached the unit stops discharging the cell and strobes the display with the mAh capacity it has measured.
You can buy these from many online sources. Here's a link to the item on AliExpress (not a sponsor).
This is an affiliate link, but that will not affect the price you pay.
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c2xnjnBB
Typical cost should be around 2-3 earth credits.
Here are some typical end of discharge voltages you could use:-
12V lead acid battery - around 12V
Standard lithium cell - around 3V
LiFePO4 lithium cell - around 2.5V
NiMh cell - around 1V
Alkaline cell - around 1V
If you enjoy my videos then the easiest way to support the channel is to subscribe and enjoy the regular content. But if you would like to contribute a dollar or two for coffee, cookies and gadgets to take apart, you can do so by supporting me on Patreon. I release videos without adverts for critique and feedback on Patreon as soon as they have been made. I also do Patreon live streams, which are much more relaxed and chatty than the busy public ones.
https://www.patreon.com/bigclive
Alternatively, for a single coffee contribution you can use PayPal:-
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bigclive
#ElectronicsCreators
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kP9w6Dx6cuA
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By bigclivedotcomThese modules are incredibly common online and will typically cost just a few dollars/pounds/euros.
The original version had a calibration function in the software, but they seem to have removed that to allow the use of a cheaper microcontroller and the accuracy may be dependent on component tolerance now. I tested this module and the voltage and current measurements were surprisingly accurate.
These units test cells/batteries up to 15V and at up to 3A by letting you use your own choice of discharge resistor. Keep in mind that at higher voltages the power dissipation of the resistors can be quite high. I tend to use a single 7.5 ohm resistor, which gives a discharge current of around 500mA that will lower slightly as the cell voltage drops.
To test the cell you use the up/down buttons to set the end of discharge voltage (typically around 3V for lithium cells) and then press OK to start the test. The unit then displays mAh, discharge-current and cell-voltage on the display. When the termination voltage you have set is reached the unit stops discharging the cell and strobes the display with the mAh capacity it has measured.
You can buy these from many online sources. Here's a link to the item on AliExpress (not a sponsor).
This is an affiliate link, but that will not affect the price you pay.
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c2xnjnBB
Typical cost should be around 2-3 earth credits.
Here are some typical end of discharge voltages you could use:-
12V lead acid battery - around 12V
Standard lithium cell - around 3V
LiFePO4 lithium cell - around 2.5V
NiMh cell - around 1V
Alkaline cell - around 1V
If you enjoy my videos then the easiest way to support the channel is to subscribe and enjoy the regular content. But if you would like to contribute a dollar or two for coffee, cookies and gadgets to take apart, you can do so by supporting me on Patreon. I release videos without adverts for critique and feedback on Patreon as soon as they have been made. I also do Patreon live streams, which are much more relaxed and chatty than the busy public ones.
https://www.patreon.com/bigclive
Alternatively, for a single coffee contribution you can use PayPal:-
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bigclive
#ElectronicsCreators
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kP9w6Dx6cuA
The original version had a calibration function in the software, but they seem to have removed that to allow the use of a cheaper microcontroller and the accuracy may be dependent on component tolerance now. I tested this module and the voltage and current measurements were surprisingly accurate.
These units test cells/batteries up to 15V and at up to 3A by letting you use your own choice of discharge resistor. Keep in mind that at higher voltages the power dissipation of the resistors can be quite high. I tend to use a single 7.5 ohm resistor, which gives a discharge current of around 500mA that will lower slightly as the cell voltage drops.
To test the cell you use the up/down buttons to set the end of discharge voltage (typically around 3V for lithium cells) and then press OK to start the test. The unit then displays mAh, discharge-current and cell-voltage on the display. When the termination voltage you have set is reached the unit stops discharging the cell and strobes the display with the mAh capacity it has measured.
You can buy these from many online sources. Here's a link to the item on AliExpress (not a sponsor).
This is an affiliate link, but that will not affect the price you pay.
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c2xnjnBB
Typical cost should be around 2-3 earth credits.
Here are some typical end of discharge voltages you could use:-
12V lead acid battery - around 12V
Standard lithium cell - around 3V
LiFePO4 lithium cell - around 2.5V
NiMh cell - around 1V
Alkaline cell - around 1V
If you enjoy my videos then the easiest way to support the channel is to subscribe and enjoy the regular content. But if you would like to contribute a dollar or two for coffee, cookies and gadgets to take apart, you can do so by supporting me on Patreon. I release videos without adverts for critique and feedback on Patreon as soon as they have been made. I also do Patreon live streams, which are much more relaxed and chatty than the busy public ones.
https://www.patreon.com/bigclive
Alternatively, for a single coffee contribution you can use PayPal:-
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bigclive
#ElectronicsCreators
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kP9w6Dx6cuA