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skywagon
Joined: 11 Feb 2006
Posts: 184
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 Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2012 9:46 am Post subject: Small LiPo battery testing system.... |
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Bob and List members,
As a retired ol' guy from the electronics world of yesteryear, I have not
kept up with the modern, inexpensive electronics available today. One of
the hobbies I have returned to is model RC aircraft using electric motors
and Lipo battery as power.
I would appreciate suggestions for a smart rig to test my battery packs from
time to time to keep an aging history on them and know when to retire a
battery before it faults while in the air.
Building or buying a testing set-up are the options with the test data being
fed into a PC for normal review and file saving, etc.
The test would probably start with a 1C load for a few seconds to get
essentially an open circuit voltage reading as a start point.
And, then, switch to a normal load and operation in flight current for
lengths of time watching for battery capacity characteristics, etc. These
data would be fed to a PC for viewing, etc.
I am betting that there are ready made, inexpensive units to do this that I
do not now know about.
So, suggestions, ideas, directions from this forum group would be very
kindly appreciated.
Dave
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nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
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| Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2012 11:29 am Post subject: Small LiPo battery testing system.... |
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| Quote: |
I am betting that there are ready made, inexpensive units to do this
that I do not now know about.
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This one has a lot of snort for the $
http://tinyurl.com/9jyfeyu
I use them here.
Bob . . .
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ceengland7(at)gmail.com
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| Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2012 12:07 pm Post subject: Small LiPo battery testing system.... |
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On 09/08/2012 12:44 PM, David Lloyd wrote:
| Quote: |
<skywagon(at)charter.net>
Bob and List members,
As a retired ol' guy from the electronics world of yesteryear, I have
not kept up with the modern, inexpensive electronics available today.
One of the hobbies I have returned to is model RC aircraft using
electric motors and Lipo battery as power.
I would appreciate suggestions for a smart rig to test my battery
packs from time to time to keep an aging history on them and know when
to retire a battery before it faults while in the air.
Building or buying a testing set-up are the options with the test data
being fed into a PC for normal review and file saving, etc.
The test would probably start with a 1C load for a few seconds to get
essentially an open circuit voltage reading as a start point.
And, then, switch to a normal load and operation in flight current for
lengths of time watching for battery capacity characteristics, etc.
These data would be fed to a PC for viewing, etc.
I am betting that there are ready made, inexpensive units to do this
that I do not now know about.
So, suggestions, ideas, directions from this forum group would be very
kindly appreciated.
Dave
Not directly related to your question, but as a heads-up (if you're not
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familiar with the battery properties), I'd suggest a fire resistant
area open to the outdoors as a charging station. A neighbor almost
burned down his machine shop when one caught fire while charging. It
took weeks to clean up the smoke damage to his machine tools (several
lathes, mills, etc). He's an experienced RC'er, & was using recommended
charging systems.
Charlie
| | - 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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klehman(at)albedo.net
Guest
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| Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2012 5:23 pm Post subject: Small LiPo battery testing system.... |
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I use the so called genuine version of the IMAX B6 from hobbyking
electronics. Around $24. Less for the knockoff version. More for the one
that has a built in AC power supply. It does Li with charge balancing,
NiMH, NiCad, and LeadAcid. The optional software is limited but does
plot out a charge or discharge voltage vs. time chart. Haven't used the
temperature sensor yet as I don't leave the batteries untended while
charging and you can't use the temp sensor at the same time as the
plotting software.
There is a somewhat similar heavy duty device available from them as
well that handles large amperage.
Ken
On 08/09/2012 1:44 PM, David Lloyd wrote:
| Quote: |
<skywagon(at)charter.net>
Bob and List members,
As a retired ol' guy from the electronics world of yesteryear, I have
not kept up with the modern, inexpensive electronics available today.
One of the hobbies I have returned to is model RC aircraft using
electric motors and Lipo battery as power.
I would appreciate suggestions for a smart rig to test my battery packs
from time to time to keep an aging history on them and know when to
retire a battery before it faults while in the air.
Building or buying a testing set-up are the options with the test data
being fed into a PC for normal review and file saving, etc.
The test would probably start with a 1C load for a few seconds to get
essentially an open circuit voltage reading as a start point.
And, then, switch to a normal load and operation in flight current for
lengths of time watching for battery capacity characteristics, etc.
These data would be fed to a PC for viewing, etc.
I am betting that there are ready made, inexpensive units to do this
that I do not now know about.
So, suggestions, ideas, directions from this forum group would be very
kindly appreciated.
Dave
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http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List |
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skywagon
Joined: 11 Feb 2006
Posts: 184
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| Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2012 5:55 pm Post subject: Small LiPo battery testing system.... |
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Charlie,
You are quite correct....rapid charging of Lipo's can be a dangerous
situation. I don't charge at much above than 1 or 2C. I keep the Lipo in a
surplus ammo can while charging. I have a buddy that is a expert helio RC
guy. He was charging Lipo's at a rapid rate and left his garage to answer
the phone. By the time he got back his garage was on-fire and he lost
everything inside....!! Good warning about charging a Lipo at high "C"
rates.
________________________________________________
---
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