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nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
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 Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2008 2:13 pm Post subject: CBA-II Battery Tester modifications/improvements? |
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At 03:44 PM 12/29/2008, you wrote:
<snip>
| Quote: | >
You mention it three times in your post so I want to be clear, I'm
not interested in designing a product to compete with the CBA. I
create high-power loads for
dischargers/cyclers/analyzers/testers. I don't want the ultra
price-sensitive "low" end of the market. But, if this project moved
forward, I would offer to lay out a PCB that others could use for
building the load. If enough people were interested, I'd have a
batch of boards run and offer them at my cost. Each person involved
would contribute to the project where they can, and for me, it's the hardware.
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Hmmm . . . understand.
| Quote: | I'm just bringing up other thoughts about the possible feature set
for a very good DIY project. You want just raw data and feel it
offers the most and that graphics offer little, if nothing, compared
to box-scored raw data. But many users of battery analyzers
disagree. I have to keep going back to the CBA and its popularity.
A lot of people don't care what the actual number is. They can look
at a graph of a test involving several cells or packs and see
instantly which lasted the longest, or had the highest
voltage-under-load, for that test. Whether the "best-performing"
battery had a capacity of 10.02Ah or 10.10Ah, they wouldn't
care. Which battery that they can afford (or physically fit, etc,)
came out on "top". No need to check or compare actual numbers.
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agreed . . .
| Quote: | No marketing effort, no product development. This is an open-source
DIY project. You mentioned the use of a PIC earlier and I was
alluding to that. If that's no longer an idea you're interested in
seeing possibly be used for this DIY project, then the Weeder
modules (or other equivalent) are a quicker way to get going. You
also mentioned a friend who might possibly, maybe, be interested in
taking on the PC software development. No $10K to develop something
great that everyone could use.
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I wasn't suggesting that anyone would have to
cough up $10K . . . just putting some perspective
on the market value potential for returns on the
effort. . . it helps sort priorities.
| Quote: | A graph doesn't tell you anything a number doesn't. But, the right
graph can make understanding various numbers, groups of numbers, and
their relationships, easier to understand. Edward Tufte's books so
wonderfully illustrate that.
What's great about this project is that everyone can get exactly
what they want. One person can create a bare-bones, tiny-footprint,
data uploading and storage program. Another person can create a
graphics-analysis package to show tons of data in easy to read
graphs. One person could develop hardware that integrated existing
products, another could create a custom PIC board.
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The Weeder modules (or something similar) could be
used to implement a host of battery tests without
laying out a single board. An analog output board
could drive a load-FET array of any size. An analog
input board could watch battery voltage and the output
from some handy current sensor. Perhaps one of these
http://www.amploc.com/PRO%20Series.pdf
So with a few grafted on components to the two
Weeder modules, you'd be ready to tackle the
application software in any language of choice.
| Quote: | I think a really important part of al of this would be to create a
set of standards for comms between the PC software and the boards,
and for a data storage format. This would allow for easy
"black-box" development of both the hardware and the
software. Either could have any set of features but all would be
compatible with each other.
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EVERYONE can read column or comma delimited data
files. I think I'd split the software task into two
areas. (a) test management and data storage with
box-score readouts and (b) data presentation package
with graphics abilities, perhaps some averaging of
multiple data on same batteries, graphics, etc.
| Quote: | And the IR measurements feature is a great idea. There are so many
"standards" and methods for measuring IR that it would be great to
see the hardware/software eventually support a user-created IR test
(timing, current, etc.).
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Well, I've got the modules in a bin out in the
shop. I've also got the core software needed to
wake up and talk to the modules. I'm going to
be out of town all next week but I'll dig up
the hardware when I get back and see if it
can be stroked back to life. It's been a couple
of years since I had this stuff working.
Bob . . .
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CamLight
Joined: 19 Dec 2008
Posts: 11
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| Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2008 5:09 pm Post subject: Re: CBA-II Battery Tester modifications/improvements? |
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| nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect wrote: |
I wasn't suggesting that anyone would have to
cough up $10K . . . just putting some perspective
on the market value potential for returns on the
effort. . . it helps sort priorities.
|
Ahh...agreed.
| nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect wrote: |
The Weeder modules (or something similar) could be
used to implement a host of battery tests without
laying out a single board. An analog output board
could drive a load-FET array of any size. An analog
input board could watch battery voltage and the output
from some handy current sensor. Perhaps one of these
http://www.amploc.com/PRO%20Series.pdf
So with a few grafted on components to the two
Weeder modules, you'd be ready to tackle the
application software in any language of choice.
|
I have some samples of the 25A version of that and the 100A versions of the Allegro sensors: http://www.allegromicro.com/en/Products/Part_Numbers/0755/index.asp
I'd be happy to cobble up a small board to output to your Weeders.
| nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect wrote: |
EVERYONE can read column or comma delimited data
files. I think I'd split the software task into two
areas. (a) test management and data storage with
box-score readouts and (b) data presentation package
with graphics abilities, perhaps some averaging of
multiple data on same batteries, graphics, etc.
|
Agreed!
| nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect wrote: |
Well, I've got the modules in a bin out in the
shop. I've also got the core software needed to
wake up and talk to the modules. I'm going to
be out of town all next week but I'll dig up
the hardware when I get back and see if it
can be stroked back to life. It's been a couple
of years since I had this stuff working.
Bob . . . |
Sounds terrific. In the mean time, I'll dig out the current sensors I have and look into working up a simple interface to the Weeders. If you already have something that will work well, no problem. I also have some assorted MOSFETs, heat sinks and op-amps around to put together a basic load to use for testing to concept.
We can talk more when you're back.
My best wishes for a Healthy & Happy New Year to everyone!
| | - The Matronics AeroElectric-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
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_________________
John M.
Owner
CamLight Systems |
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