CBA - Computerized Battery Analyzer

[tino_ale]

Hi all,

I've been interrested in testing batteries for a while, until now I only had an ICE charger/discharger and a Maha C-9000 (nice product) to do so. Basically, not enough to make proper shootouts or comparisons beyond capacity.

I've just ordered a CBA, for the price I believe it delivers a nice service. Other than flashlight stuff I just love RC hobby too much (and high power brushless systems) to pass on this device.

Here's the product: http://www.westmountainradio.com/CBA.htm

I've been reading a little about it so far, but I'm willing to get more users feedback and more importantly advices and tips.

What do you guys think about this product? Have you found any limitation anoying? It seems that the software has not been updated since a long time, what do you think about it? Is the software stable?

Also : what organisation are you using on your computer to make tests most convienient to exploit? Are you happy with the embeded graphing capability of the software or do you export to Excel?

Any input is welcome,
Thanks!

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Tino ale,

I think it is a great product.

The temperature probe is not very linear, but once you get it set up it works fine as a safety.

During high current low voltage tests, you need to be aware of the lead wire resistance and factor accordingly.

The graphing is limited, but works well for a general comparison. More detailed examination is usually better done by exporting to another program.

Tom

 

[ifor powell]

I got one about three weeks back and am still slowly working though testing all my batteries new and old. It's good that I can do anything from a small AAA size cell or smaller all the way up to the pair of 110 Ah leisure batteries in my camper van. It's busy working as I type this on a trustfire 18650 2500mAh... It's a great gadget but there are a few anoyances that I have not worked out. Here is the list partly in the hope that someone else may have some ideas.

I can not look at and compare old results whilest it's testing.

It would be nicer if the fan only came on for bigger wattage loads rather than all the time.

I loose the over-ride of the voltage cut-off I set when I change cells, idealy I would like to set my own defaults. As things stand I have had to re-test a number of times because I have had too higher cutoff for the length of wire from the unit to the cell...

I am following a fairly strict naming convention for saving my results one of the reviews I read befor buying sugested it and it seams sencible for now.

Ifor

 

[tino_ale]

Thanks for the comments!

I've ordered the thermal probe along with the CBA... it's better then to be sorry

ifor powell, what is the naming convention you are referring to?

Have you tried to run the program under Windows Vista?

 

[Thujone]

It is pretty good for profiling your batteries and weeding out the bad ones then matching up the good cells. I was amazing how much each cells personality varied even out of say the same batch of AW cells.

 

[Handlobraesing]

The only major obstacle is that it's only a discharger. It can't do custom programmed automated repeated cycling like a Cadex analyzer.

 

[ifor powell]

ifor powell, what is the naming convention you are referring to?

I have basicaly followed the advice in this review

Ifor

 

[tino_ale]

Thanks that is helpfull!

Actually I'm a little surprised that not more people own a CBA. For anyone who care a little about his/her batteries performances, behavior, maintenance over time... it really look like a must-have device, which is affordable on the top of that.

 

[Anders]

Hello tino_ale.

I have one, I am sure many of us here also have it.

Make a poll...

Anders

 

[Raymond]

I think a CBA is maybe a bit too specialist for a flashaholic. A battery tester/analyzer like the maha C9000/lacrosse BC900 or a nice hobby RC charger would be (more than) enough for most. Ik know I like my basic RC charger. I don't see what more a CBA can do for my batteries. Making discharge graphs is not really a hobby of mine

 

[TigerhawkT3]

How does the CBA II compare to the Whattmeter or a Medusa Power Analyzer? I was planning on the CBA II, but then found out about the others on WMR's site.

 

[Raymond]

How does the CBA II compare to the Whattmeter or a Medusa Power Analyzer? I was planning on the CBA II, but then found out about the others on WMR's site.

I'm not entirely sure, but I think the medusa power analyzer and the whattmeter are measurement devices (like a multimeter). The CBA not only does the measurements, but also acts as the load for the batteries.

 

[TigerhawkT3]

I'm not entirely sure, but I think the medusa power analyzer and the whattmeter are measurement devices (like a multimeter). The CBA not only does the measurements, but also acts as the load for the batteries.

Ahhh... thanks. Looks like I'm getting the CBA II.