Li ion battery health?

[a878bob]

Can light batteries can't last forever, does anyone have a procedure to test the health/capacity of their Li ion can light battery?

 

[tbone1004]

best way is to stick it in a bucket of water/tub/sink and burn test it until it cuts off. The BMS in there will keep it from getting discharged too far and then just log the burn times. Do it once a year or so and you'll know when it starts to go south.

 

[runsongas]

smart chargers can also do discharge / capacity testing

 

[a878bob]

Have an example of such a charger ?

 

[aviator8]

SkyRC Mc3000 would be the top of the line charger. $$$$ though. I believe XTAR makes few models that will do discharge capactity test.

 

[tbone1004]

those are for individual cells, not for the big packs. Best off just running a burn test

 

[ScubaBunga]

I use a lot of 18650 batteries, in battery packs and use one of these. You can test individual or the entire pack:
https://www.amazon.com/RiteCharge-P...6&qid=1557789187&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1
This was just a quick search so this one didn't come with the power plug. Hobbyking may have more.
You can cycle the batteries and get a readout of capacity.

 

[aviator8]

those are for individual cells, not for the big packs. Best off just running a burn test

Correct. Was not aware he was talking about a pack.

 

[runsongas]

those are for individual cells, not for the big packs. Best off just running a burn test

nah, something like this.

Turnigy Accucell C150 AC/DC 10A 150W Smart Balance Charger (US Plug)

 

[Pilotmaverick]

I use a lot of 18650 batteries, in battery packs and use one of these. You can test individual or the entire pack:
https://www.amazon.com/RiteCharge-P...6&qid=1557789187&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1
This was just a quick search so this one didn't come with the power plug. Hobbyking may have more.
You can cycle the batteries and get a readout of capacity.

With the IMAX B6 you can only discharge with 5 Watts. With large packs, that takes forever and throws of your measurments. You want to make a capacity test with around the same current you would use the pack normaly with.
So if you have a 50W light, you want to conduct the test with roughly the same power. Capacity will measure higher if you use a lower current on the cells.