ZTS Tester - Good for Rechargeable Camera Batts?

[JNewell]

If I rig up test leads, can I use the 3.6v Lithium part of the ZTS MBT-1 to test rechargeable camera batteries?

 

[DM51]

If your camera battery is a Li-Ion rechargeable one, the best way to test it is with a voltmeter. Li-Ions can charge up to 4.20V when full, but some camera charge circuits limit them to 4.15V or 4.10V. They will usually give a "low" indication, or cut out, at ~3.5V.

The voltage between 3.5V - 4.1V will give you a fairly good linear representation of the battery's state of charge.

 

[lrp]

DM51, could you please recommend a good voltmeter? Thanks!!

 

[DM51]

You can pick up cheap but very adequate DMMs (digital multi-meters) online or at hardware stores etc. It's useful to have the multi functions to measure volts DC & AC, amps, milliamps, ohms (resistance) etc.

If you want top-of-the-line get a Fluke, but they are $$$.

 

[JNewell]

Talked to ZTS (nice folks) - short answer is yes, in theory, but not in real life unless you can do it without homemade leads that may turn out to be fusible links...

 

[lrp]

Thanks for the info!! I had a really good Fluke a few years ago and sold and have regretted it ever since!

 

[TakeTheActive]

Inexpensive DMMs Have Their Limitations...

DM51, could you please recommend a good voltmeter?

You can pick up cheap but very adequate DMMs (digital multi-meters) online or at hardware stores etc.

lrp,

Inexpensive, "1.999" display DMMs are usually OK for NiMH and NiCD cells, but not so much for Li-xxx. Read Justin Case's excellent explanation (from my Sig Line LINKs): Interpreting DMM Specifications - A Detailed Example

There's also: Recommend a DMM book?

 

[lrp]

Thanks for those excellent links!!