How to proceed the discharge test ?Gather the necessary equipment: You will need a battery or group of batteries, a discharge load, and a way to measure the voltage and current of the battery or battery group. Connect the battery to the discharge tester.
What is a battery discharge test?
Among all the tests, the discharge test (also known as load test or capacity test) is the only test that can accurately measure the true capacity of a battery system and in turn determine the state of health of batteries.
No single rapid-test can determine a battery's capacity. Many rapid-test devices only measure voltage and internal resistance. Stating the ability to estimate capacity with such methods can create an illusion of complex results in the industry.
Can a battery pause be counted in a discharge test?
Only one pause is allowed for the duration of the test and the pause time should not be counted in the total discharge time2. Once the test is completed, determine the battery capacity. The test equipment can then be disconnected. While performing the discharge test, one should be prepared to bypass weak cells approaching polarity reversal.
How long does a battery test take?
The battery test methods described in BU-907a involve a charge/discharge/charge cycle to read the capacity of the chemical battery. Although the results are accurate, a battery must often be removed from service for several hours to complete the test. (See BU-909: Battery Test Equipment) Most rapid-test methods are based on time domain or frequency domain analysis.
What is the coup de fouet phenomenon in a battery discharge test?
The discharge test was conducted at a constant current and the battery terminal voltage was measured as a function of time for the test duration as shown below in Figure 3. The coup de fouet phenomenon observed in the battery terminal voltage at the start of the test (circled in Figure 3) is common for vented lead acid batteries.
What is a battery capacity test?
Although many tests can be performed to assess the condition of the batteries such as ohmic testing, specific gravity, state of charge etc., only the capacity test, commonly referred to as the discharge or load test, can measure the true capacity of the battery system and in turn determine the state of heath of the batteries.