Optim Engineering Computerized Battery Analyzer CBAIII
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CBA III Description

The CBA is much more than a simple battery voltage tester or a battery load tester. Unlike a simple load tester the CBA will test virtually any type or size of battery, any chemistry, any number of cells up to 55 volts. For the first time and for a reasonable price, anyone can do scientific tests of their batteries by letting their computer do all the work.

The CBA is capable of higher test rates than other testers: up to 40 amps or 150 watts, whichever is higher. It not only tests the total amount of energy stored in a battery (capacity in amp-hrs), but it graphically displays and charts voltage versus amp-hours.

Unlike a resistor load it has an electronic constant current load that is controlled both with software and electronics.

Graphs may be displayed, saved and printed. Multiple graphs of the same battery, or multiple batteries, may be compared or overlaid, a very useful feature. Battery tests may be printed on a color or black and white printer. You may also print convenient test labels to be placed directly on your batteries to remember the last time they were tested and how they performed.

A CBA will measure the temperature of a battery under test using the optional external temperature probe. The temperature probe will provide automatic over-temperature shutoff a preset or user selected temperature limit.

The CBA uses a high grade Powerpole battery connector for which adaptors may be made, or purchased as an accessory to connect a battery. A CBA is ruggedly built, compact and has a high performance cooling system with a quiet fan. LED indicators show test status from across a room.

The CBA uses an 8051 based micro controller. Each CBA is individually computer calibrated to high accuracy. The electronic load uses a pulse width modulation system to control a pair of power MOS FET transistors using both electronic and software current regulation. The on-board micro controller provides the plug-and-play USB interface to the computer.

The software supplied with the CBA is easy and intuitive to use. It provides automatic sensing of the battery cell count and recommends a safe maximum discharge current and minimum safe cutoff voltage for your batteries. The system of software and hardware is designed to protect both the CBA and the batteries that are tested.

The CBA is a useful and essential tool for anyone that depends on batteries in critical applications. You will learn new and valuable information about your batteries that cannot be determined any other way.

Using batteries without a CBA is like driving a car without a gas gauge.


CBA III Consumer version: $149.95 (with limited 1 year home use warranty)

CBA III Pro hardware version: $199.95 (with calibration data and limited 1yr commercial warranty)

CBA III Pro hardware with Pro software upgrade: $299.95 **Save $20** (Supplied with calibration data and limited 1yr commercial warranty and Pro software upgrade)

Pro software upgrade only: $119.95 (Many additional features for use with any CBA II or III)


 

Version 2.1 Software supplied with the CBAIII

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CBA Amplifier 500 watts (1000 W with 2; 2000 W with 4)

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CBA III Features

  • Easy to use and foolproof.
  • Perform professional quality tests of almost any battery (any chemistry) at up to 55 volts!
  • Analyze exact battery characteristics.
  • Match cells or pick the best pack.
  • Check for battery aging.
  • Cycle and condition batteries with an external charger.
  • Test at up to 150 watts or 40 Amps.
  • Plug and Play high speed USB interface, with easy to use and intuitive Windows software supplied on CD ROM.
  • Scientifically analyzes battery performance with a true constant current battery capacity test.
  • Graphically displayed test results that may be used for overlay comparisons.
  • Perform tests quickly at real world load conditions, up to 150 watts or 40 amps maximum, whichever is higher!
  • High voltage testing at up to 55 volts; the equivalent of 1 to 38 NiCad or NiMh cells.
  • Discharge test current user selectable from 0 to 40 Amps.
  • Save, display and print battery test graphs and battery labels.
  • Measures and displays voltage, current, amp-hrs, watts and temperature*.
  • Easy overlay comparisons of multiple graphs may be displayed saved and recalled.
  • Test any type of battery; coin cell to automotive or larger. Presets for NiCad, NiMH, Lead Acid, Li Ion, Li Poly, Alkaline, Carbon Zinc, Mercury etc.
  • Accurate measurement with12 bit effective resolution. Auto ranging for 2 current ranges and three voltage.
  • Each CBA is individually calibrated with a computerized calibration system.
  • On board C8051 based USB Micro controller.
  • Superior constant current testing , software and electronically regulated, using a solid state dual FET fan cooled electronic load.
  • Automatic test shut off at a safe pre-determined minimum battery voltage. Default test cutoff voltage may be user overridden.
  • Automatic maximum battery temperature cutoff with optional temp probe.
  • Fail safe: automatic protection of temperature, current and power.
  • Supplied with USB and software CD.
  • Optional 500 watt amplifiers
  • Optional 1000 watt dual amplifier package
  • Optional 2000 watt 20X quad amplifier package
  • Optional temperature sensor
  • Optional Powerpole connector battery connection adaptors available.

CBA III Specifications

  • Maximum continuous discharge rate: 100 watts
  • Maximum limited term discharge rate with < 3500 ma-hour battery: 125 watts
  • Maximum limited term discharge rate with < 1000 ma-hour battery: 150 watts
  • 0.1-3 amp accuracy: typically better than + - 15 ma
  • 3-40 amp accuracy: typically better than + - 200 ma
  • 0-5 volt accuracy: typically better than + - .03 volts
  • 5-15 volt accuracy: typically better than + - .08 volts
  • 10-60 volt accuracy: typically better than + - .3 volts
  • Maximum operating voltage: 55 Volts (48 Volt Lead Acid Telecom systems supported)
  • Maximum discharge rate: 40 amps (Battery dependant, 100 watt maximum)
  • Minimum discharge voltage to maintain 30 amps .9Volts (Battery dependent)
  • Minimum Voltage for a 40 amp discharge: 2 volts at completion of test (Battery dependent)
  • Minimum recommended discharge rate: 0.1 Amps
  • Residual current drain, battery connected while not in use: < .003 amps @ 12 volts
  • User selected battery cell chemistry, number of cells and test current, with automatic graph setup and scaling.
  • High performance C8051 based micro controller with built in USB interface and 10 bit A/D conversion.
  • USB powered; the CBA does not use the battery being tested to run the CBA or the fan.
  • Software recommends safe tests based on user supplied battery information.
  • Supplied with: USB cable, and Windows compatible software CD with full documentation.
  • Battery connection adaptors to the Powerpole connector optional.
  • System ready and Test in progress LED indicators, viewable from across a room.
  • Automatic voltage shut off at end of test using a software recommended or user selected safe discharge voltage.
  • Automatic over-temperature shut off at end of test at using a software recommended or user selected maximum temperature with optional external magnetic temperature sensor.
  • CBA internal over temperature sensing and protection.
  • Graph printing on any standard color or B&W printer.
  • Battery test label printing on standard 05160 stick-on labels.
  • Dimensions: 3.5" H x 2.8" W x 3.6" D.
  • Weight: 16 oz.

Computer System Requirements

Basic Requirements:

A PC with a Pentium 233 or better

At least an 800 X 600 graphics card and display monitor

98SE, W2K, XP, Vista: 32 or 64 bit, Windows 7: 32 or 64 bit

An available USB port

Recommended:

AMD or Intel 1.2 GHz or better

Better than 800 X 600 graphics and display monitor

Windows XP or Vista 32 or 64bit 1 GB RAM

An available USB port (external hubs not supported)

For graph and label printing:

Any Windows compatible, laser or ink jet, color or black and white, printer.

Avery 5160 labels are required for label printing.


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