Battery Meter

[Mrdi]

Would like to purchase a simple meter to measure the remaining charge available in AA, 123, 9v, batteries.
Are there any suggestions and resources for the acquisition of same ?

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I just bought a closeout model from Radio Shack for $17.99. You can still find them at your local store just not online. Check out the link it can tell you more than I can. They also make a non-digital one for $12.99, but when you compare the 2 side by side the $17.99 does do quite a bit more.

Here is Radio Shack's Link: Battery Tester

What I really like about it is that it has settings for 1.25v rechargeables and 1.5v standard alkalines in addition to all the other settings. Plus it has test leads that roll up into the back of the unit when being stored. Your "CR" series large button batteries are no problem as well. I searched high and low for a GOOD all around performer and found this to be the only one acceptable to me. The analog level meter's are okay, but seem limited and for $5 more I couldn't resist.

 

[Mrdi]

Thanks David,
Just got back from RS and purchased the exact model. How do you get it to read numbers instead of bars?

 

[Empath]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mrdi:
How do you get it to read numbers instead of bars?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I don't really know what numbers would mean to you. Battery meters, or testers, simply place the battery under a predifined load and measure if it's still able to produce a predefined voltage. Any number or percentage scale would be like a log scale on a radio dial. It would mean nothing other than giving a visible reference to which you'd apply your own personal meanings.

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

MRDI,

The image on Radio Shack's website does show it having numbers, but I don't know how to display them. I threw the instructions out already. Hmmmmm... But the pic does show the unit in "Button Cell" mode. Haven't tried those yet.

 

[Mrdi]

Thanks David,
After reading your post I read my instructions again. Those instructions don't indicate two modes, only the bar graph.
The item numbers are the same however.
???

 

[rlhess]

Well, based on this thread, I just bought the meter in question--bar graph only.

WORSE NEWS: The 3V lithium setting only loads the cell with 1mA and considering the E2e or LX load the cell with 1000mA or more, it is not a great test.

Even the AA, C, and D are loaded the same at only 150mA -- the Brinkmann AA lamp is over 400mA.

An interesting, but not great tool.

Think I'll change the load resistor values...

I would advise against getting this. A good digital volt meter and a few resistors can tell more.

By the way, they use 1.1V for both nicad and alkaline cutoff and multiples thereof for multi-cell batteries as well as lithium.

All-in-all a method to relieve one of $18 and deliver a placebo.

Note the icon I placed on this message.

Good night!

Richard

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

..yet in practice I find the RS bar graph meter works well. If you use a lithium 123 a little bit, you lose a segment on the graph...
you probably would get "more information" with a meter and a resistor, but you'd have to make up charts with voltages referring to capacities, based on previous experience with each type of battery..a chore..if any one ever does this. I'd be interested..in the mean time the RS thing is small, self contained, but effective.
Richard;..the unit has a button battery test site, and another spot to test larger batteries, are they loaded the same...?

 

[vcal]

That meter has loads as follows:
1.25v (rech.-AAA,N)->42mA
1.5v (alkal-AAA,N)->50mA
1.25v (rech.AA,C,D)-125mA
1.5v (alka.AA,C,D)-150mA
1.5v (button)------->1mA
3v. (Lithium)------>1mA
6v. (photo)------->10mA
9v. (any)--------->10mA
BTW-the cylindrical cells test with leads instead of on board terminals.
Agree w/Ted th Led-the meter can be very useful, but I would have liked the numerical reading.-for some unknown reason...:P

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I just bought their $10 white-bodied analog tester, required no internal batteries. Gives me what I need, and except for 123 lithiums (which I simply run down to nothing anyway once I put them in a light) it measures everything else I currently use in my lights.

There's even a $5 model with a swing-out contact bar but that one seemed just too austere and simple even for a klutz like me...

 

[rlhess]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Ted the Led:
..yet in practice I find the RS bar graph meter works well.

...

Richard;..the unit has a button battery test site, and another spot to test larger batteries, are they loaded the same...?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I didn't say I was returning it (besides I bought it at a RS store in Connecticut on a biz trip and won't be able to return it as I'm flying home this AM), but I don't think it's worth the money.

The instructions indicate that the load is the same in each switch setting. I haven't opened it...yet.

Cheers,

Richard