Computerized Battery Analyzer 3 CBA III

The CBA is much more than a simple battery voltage tester or a battery load tester. Unlike a simple load tester the CBA will test virtually any type or size of battery, any chemistry, any number of cells up to 55 volts. For the first time and for a reasonable price, anyone can do scientific tests of their batteries by letting their computer do all the work.

The CBA is capable of higher test rates than other testers: up to 40 amps or 150 watts, whichever is higher. It not only tests the total amount of energy stored in a battery (capacity in amp-hrs), but it graphically displays and charts voltage versus amp-hours.

Unlike a resistor load it has an electronic constant current load that is controlled both with software and electronics. Constant power tests may be done with the Pro software upgrade.

Graphs may be displayed, saved and printed. Multiple graphs of the same battery, or multiple batteries, may be compared or overlaid, a very useful feature. Battery tests may be printed on a color or black and white printer. You may also print convenient test labels to be placed directly on your batteries to remember the last time they were tested and how they performed.

A CBA will measure the temperature of a battery under test using the optional external temperature probe. The temperature probe will provide automatic over-temperature shutoff at a preset or user selected temperature limit. Battery temperature may be graphed with the Pro software upgrade.

The CBA uses a high grade Powerpole battery connector and comes with a 13 gauge pigtail lead for which adaptors may be made, or purchased as an accessory to connect a battery. A CBA is ruggedly built, compact and has a high performance cooling system with a quiet fan. LED indicators show test status from across a room.

The CBA uses an on-board micro controller. Each CBA is individually computer calibrated to high accuracy. The electronic load uses a pulse width modulation system to control a pair of power MOS FET transistors using both electronic and software current regulation. The on-board micro controller provides the plug-and-play USB interface to the computer.

The software supplied with the CBA is easy and intuitive to use. It provides automatic sensing of the battery cell count and recommends a safe maximum discharge current and minimum safe cutoff voltage for your batteries. The system of software and hardware is designed to protect both the CBA and the batteries that are tested.

We think that you will find the CBA a useful and essential tool for anyone that depends on batteries in critical applications. You will learn new and valuable information about your batteries that cannot be determined any other way. Using batteries without a CBA is like driving a car without a gas gauge.

Capabilities

Scientifically Analyze Battery Performance

• True constant current battery capacity test with results graphically displayed, constant power testing supported with Pro software upgrade
• Discharge current is software and electronically regulated using a solid state switch and fan cooled electronic load
• Test any type of battery; coin cell to automotive or larger. Presets for NiCad, NiMH, Lead Acid, Li Ion, Li Poly, Alkaline, Carbon Zinc, Mercury etc.

Perform Fast, High Power Testing

• Tests quickly at real world load conditions, up to 150 watts or 40 amps maximum, whichever is higher
• High voltage testing at up to 55 volts; the equivalent of 1 to 38 NiCad or NiMh cells
• Optional 500 watt and 1000 watt amplifiers

Accuracy and Precision for Demanding Applications

• On-board computer performs accurate measurement with 12 bit effective resolution. Auto ranging for 2 current ranges and three voltages
• Each CBA is individually calibrated with a computerized calibration system
• Calibration certification data provided with CBA III Pro

Built-in Safety Features Provide Superior Battery Protection

• Fail safe: automatic protection of temperature, current and power
• Discharge test current user selectable from 0 to 40 Amps
• Automatic voltage shut off at end of test using a software recommended or user selected safe discharge voltage
• Automatic over-temperature shut off at end of test at using a software recommended or user selected maximum temperature with optional external magnetic temperature sensor.

Easy-to-Use Software for Data Analysis

• User selected battery cell chemistry, number of cells and test current
• Software recommends safe tests based on user supplied battery information
• Automatic graph setup and scaling
• Measures and displays voltage, current, amp-hrs, watts and temperature (requires optional temperature probe)
• Easy overlay comparisons of multiple graphs may be displayed saved and recalled
• Save, display and print battery test graphs and battery labels
• Plug and Play high speed USB interface, with easy to use and intuitive Windows software supplied on CD ROM

Computer System Requirements

Basic Requirements:

• A PC with a Pentium 233 or better
• At least an 800 X 600 graphics card and display monitor
• 98SE, W2K, XP, Vista: 32 or 64 bit, Windows 7: 32 or 64 bit
• An available USB port

Recommended:

• AMD or Intel 1.2 GHz or better
• Better than 800 X 600 graphics and display monitor
• Windows XP or Vista 32 or 64bit 1 GB RAM
• An available USB port (external hubs not supported)

For graph and label printing:

• Any Windows compatible, laser or ink jet, color or black and white, printer.
• Avery 5160 labels are required for label printing.

Specifications

• Maximum continuous discharge rate: 100 watts
• Maximum limited term discharge rate with < 3500 ma-hour battery: 125 watts
• Maximum limited term discharge rate with < 1000 ma-hour battery: 150 watts
• 0-3 amp accuracy: typically better than + - 10 ma
• 3-40 amp accuracy: typically better than + - 45 ma
• 0-5 volt accuracy: typically better than + - .005 volts
• 5-15 volt accuracy: typically better than + - .01 volts
• 10-60 volt accuracy: typically better than + - .05 volts
• Maximum operating voltage: 55 Volts (48 Volt Lead Acid Telecom supported)
• Maximum discharge rate: 40 amps (Battery dependent, 100 watt continuous)
• Minimum discharge voltage to maintain 30 amps .9Volts (Battery dependent)
• Minimum Voltage for a 40 amp discharge: 2 volts at completion of test (Battery dependant)
• Minimum recommended discharge rate: 0.1 Amps
• Residual current drain, battery connected while not in use: < .003 amps @ 12 volts
• High performance micro controller with built in USB interface and 10 bit A/D conversion.
• USB powered; the CBA does not use the battery being tested to run the CBA or the fan.
• System ready and Test in progress LED indicators, viewable from across a room.
• CBA internal over temperature sensing and protection.
• Graph printing on any standard color or B&W printer.
• Battery test label printing on standard 05160 stick-on labels.
• Dimensions: 3.5" H x 2.8" W x 3.6" D.
• Weight: 16 oz.

CBA III Includes

• CBA III hardware
• Software CD
• Standard version CBA software
• 6 ft USB Cable
• 40 amp fuse
• User Manual
• 1 yr limited home use warranty

CBA III Pro Includes

• Same as CBA III plus:
• Calibration data
• 1 yr limited commercial use warranty