Help: Testing Batteries with Multimeter

[xcel730]

Okay, I've tried searching, but can't find anything specific.

I recently acquired a ZTS MBT-1 battery tester from CPFM. FWIW, the device is quite good. It does pulse loading and tell you how much life is left in the battery to within 20%. However, I just realized that the model I purchased does not test 3.7v Li-Ion batteries.

Is there something you recommend to test 3.7v Li-Ion?

Can I do this with a multi-meter? In other words, could a multi-meter do pulse loading? If so, is it simply as putting the red probe in the (+) terminal and black probe in the (-) terminal? A little walkthrough would be great.
Please recommend me a multi-meter that does a sufficient job for a reasonable price (e.g., within $50). I'm not an engineer, so my multi-meter will not be used for anything other than testing my batteries.

Thanks for your help.

 

[45/70]

The best way to determine the state of charge of most Li-Ions is to just check the voltage with a voltmeter. You may want to double check this by searching the forum but this is pretty much what I go by.

4.20 Volts = 100%
4.10 Volts = 87%
4.00 Volts = 75%
3.90 Volts = 55%
3.80 Volts = 30%
3.50 Volts is considered dead

Dave

Edit: You don't need to pulse load, or put any load on a Li-Ion when checking it. Just go to RadioShaft or an electronics store or whatever to get a digital multimeter. Since most of your testing is relevant, you don't need a really accurate one. Otherwise, get a Fluke.

 

[UnknownVT]

Here's a recent thread on Digital MultiMeters (DMM)

Recommendations for a multimeter to measure amperage

Harbor Freight has one that has a 10A scale for $3.99

 

[xcel730]

Here's a recent thread on Digital MultiMeters (DMM)

Recommendations for a multimeter to measure amperage

Harbor Freight has one that has a 10A scale for $3.99

Thanks for the link.

Harbor Freight seems pretty nice and inexpensive. I was going to pick this one up from Amazon. Equus 3320, but now I may consider the Harbor Freight. What do you guys think about the Equus?

 

[UnknownVT]

I was going to pick this one up from Amazon. Equus 3320, but now I may consider the Harbor Freight.

Equus 3320 looks nice - especially the large display - auto-ranging is a plus.

However the battery tesing facility only handles regular batteries -
it does NOT test Li-Ion.
So you're down to using the voltage ability -
in which case the Harbor Freight cheapo should be able to do the same job.

This thread has more details of a DMM that looks like the clone of the Harbor Freight -

Digital MultiMeter for $5....

 

[geek4christ]

Thanks for the link.

Harbor Freight seems pretty nice and inexpensive. I was going to pick this one up from Amazon. Equus 3320, but now I may consider the Harbor Freight. What do you guys think about the Equus?

I have that one (the equus). Seems pretty decent. The little LEDs on the top left under "Battery Load Test" never come on, though. I don't know if they just gave out or if I accidentally did something to mess the meter up.

One good thing about this DMM is that it runs off common AA batteries whereas the other two that are linked above need 9V batteries. That may not be an issue to you, but I hate using 9V alkalines as power sources.

 

[foxracer72]

i was going to purchase an ZTS MBT-1 battery tester from light hound for the very reason to test my li-ion batteries its $70. it specifically says tests 3.7 rechargable batteries. so is this the same tester or what i dont want to shell out $70 for something that wont do what i want it to do.

on the specs page it says tests 3.6 volt Li-Ion rechargeable [RCR123A, 18500, 17650, 18650]. 3.6? is that the problem? :thinking:

 

[xcel730]

i was going to purchase an ZTS MBT-1 battery tester from light hound for the very reason to test my li-ion batteries its $70. it specifically says tests 3.7 rechargable batteries. so is this the same tester or what i dont want to shell out $70 for something that wont do what i want it to do.

on the specs page it says tests 3.6 volt Li-Ion rechargeable [RCR123A, 18500, 17650, 18650]. 3.6? is that the problem? :thinking:

The model you're looking at is the same model number. However, yours is a newer model that could test 3.6 volt Li-Ion batteries. I don't know why ZTS couldn't come up with a new model number to avoid the confusion. I saw the post from BST and thought it was the same thing.