West Mountain Radio CBA IV Manual
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West Mountain Radio CBA IV Manual

Computerized battery analyzer
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CBA IV
Computerized Battery Analyzer
(and CBA HR)
www.westmountainradio.com
1020 Spring City Drive
Waukesha, WI 53186
262-522-6503
sales@westmountainradio.com
©2017 West Mountain Radio, All rights reserved. All trademarks are
the property of their respective owners.

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  • Page 1 CBA IV Computerized Battery Analyzer (and CBA HR) www.westmountainradio.com 1020 Spring City Drive Waukesha, WI 53186 262-522-6503 sales@westmountainradio.com ©2017 West Mountain Radio, All rights reserved. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
  • Page 2 CBA HR Introduction Thank you for choosing the West Mountain Radio Computerized Battery Analyzer (CBA). The CBA is a powerful test instrument that measures, graphs, and compares performance of both primary and secondary (rechargeable) batteries and individual cells. The CBA allows for the precise measurement of battery capacity and takes the guesswork out of choosing the best battery for your application.
  • Page 3 A CBA IV enables another test: Power Profile. This test is very useful for power supply testing or solar cell analysis. The resulting graph displays Voltage vs. Amps or Watts. The Extended Software version also adds the ability to graph battery temperature with CBA III and CBA IV (when the optional temperature probe is connected).
  • Page 4 Graph printing on any standard color or B&W printer Battery test label printing on standard 5160 / 8160 stick-on labels • • Dimensions: 1.5” H x 2.8” W x 3.6” D Weight: 4 oz. • West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...

  • Page 5: Safety Precautions

    Safety Precautions The West Mountain Radio CBA family of battery testers are inherently safe, but the batteries being tested are not. Any system that stores energy is potentially dangerous. Some types of batteries are safer than others, but all are capable of causing explosions or fires.
  • Page 6 Reprinted with permission of the Academy of Model Aeronautics Words in bold ( ) were added by West Mountain Radio Lithium Battery Fires Lithium batteries are becoming very popular for powering the control and power systems in our models. This is true because of their very high energy density (amp-hrs/wt.

  • Page 7: Liability Disclaimer

    Liability Disclaimer West Mountain Radio will not be liable to you (whether under the law of contract, the law of torts or otherwise) in relation to the contents of, or use of, or otherwise in connection with, the CBA (“product”): To the extent that the product may cause any bodily or equipment damage;...

  • Page 8: Getting Started

    NOTE: If the Windows message “Found new Hardware” appears, the previous step was not completed. 3. Start the West Mountain Radio CBA program. NOTE: For a CBA III the green LED will come on when the program starts. For CBA IVHR the LED will light as soon as the drivers are installed.
  • Page 9 12. To start another test, start at step 4 of these instructions. Click the button or “Test--> New.” . When starting the new test, a prompt will ask if desire to save the previous test and start a new test or add that West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...

  • Page 10: Program Features

    Once there is a series of graphs for battery comparison on the screen, these may be saved under an existing or new file name. West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 11 Converts the test file to .CSV (Comma Separated Values) comma separated file format and allows it to be saved for data manipulation with a spreadsheet program such as Excel®, or a text viewer. Print, Print Preview and Print Labels: For a discussion of printing functions refer to the help section on printing. West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...

  • Page 12: Tools Menu

    “Stop test when battery temperature reaches” “xx degrees” - allows for test termination when a battery exceeds the set point temperature – requires optional magnetic Temperature Probe to be attached to battery being tested. West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 13 12 bit data level. This feature is useful to calibrate at especially low discharge rates below 500 mA. Do not use this option without complete understanding. For best accuracy at low discharge currents (below 1 amp) use a CBA HR. West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 14 Access to these files directly from the program instead of from the CD-ROM or our web page. About CBA: Displays the current software version running on your computer. To determine the firmware revision within the CBA hardware, select Tools > CBA Devices. West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...

  • Page 15: Test Configuration

    NOTE: If a saved profile was selected and then test parameters are changed, a prompt will ask to save those changes to the existing profile, or allow you to save the profile under a new name. West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 16 If unsure about any parameters - review the battery specifications or contact the battery manufacturer or contact West Mountain Radio Voltage This is the rated average pack or cell voltage (average of a discharge cycle) of a battery, not the fully charged voltage which is actually measured by the CBA when a battery is first connected (and displayed on right-side of main screen).

  • Page 17: Sample Rate

    CBA as a recording voltmeter to Charge Monitor chart voltage versus time for evaluation of a charger. A CBA IV enables additional standard tests, one for power supply characterization: and also...

  • Page 18: Discharge Test

    The CBA HR is designed for high resolution, precise current testing and cannot operate CBA Amplifiers. Tests Mission Profile (CBA IV Only) This is a simplified discharge test that can be used for application specific testing. Using values from the “real- world”...
  • Page 19 This feature allows to verify the battery capacity correlates to the manufacturer claimed battery capacity. Ensure the capacity window on the new test prompt matches the battery to be tested. This information is usually found West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 20 Lithium battery that needs to be at 30% charge before shipping. Information about the Battery section, Amplifier section, Cutoff Voltage and Sample can be found in the Test Configuration section of the Help. Test Amps: West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 21 An Extended license will allow you to graph the temperature of your charging batterybattery, or record the ambient temperature during a long term recording voltmeter session. Note this also allows the CBA to act as a long term (up to 168 hour) recording temperature instrument, with a 1 second sample rate. West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 22 Power Profile (CBA IV and CBA HR Only) This test is extremely useful for characterizing different power supplies, solar cells and batteries. The voltage current relationship is extremely useful and the data gathered will allow your power supply to operate at optimum power output and efficiency.
  • Page 23 HR to help simulate battery usage in small remote devices which wake up occasionally to report (transmit) their status, followed by a prolonged sleep period. Information about the Battery section, Amplifier section, Cutoff Voltage and Sample can be found in the Test section of the Help. Configuration West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 24 Useful for batteries that are used in systems which require consistent power. Information about the Battery section, Amplifier section, Cutoff Voltage and Sample can be found in the Test section of the Help. Configuration West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 25 Information about the Battery section, Amplifier section, Cutoff Voltage and Sample can be found in the Test section of the Help. Configuration West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 26 For each step, the current (in Amps) or power (in Watts) and the time duration of the step (in seconds) must be programmed. Once that step’s duration has expired, the test will proceed to the next step. West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 27 Import: Automatically populates all the step set points and duration times by importing a CSV text file containing power usage data. Tip: The West Mountain Radio PWRcheck may be used to measure and capture real-world load conditions. Importing Step Value Importing reads a text CSV file where each line represents a new step for the Multiple Discharge test.
  • Page 28 So as the battery voltage decreases during the test, the current will also decrease. (Per ohms law: Current=Voltage/Resistance) Information about the Battery section, Amplifier section, Cutoff Voltage and Sample can be found in the Test section of the Help. Configuration West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 29 This test can be performed by selecting ‘Charge Discharge’ as your Test Type. This option will not be valid unless the West Mountain Radio CBA Charge Controller is connected to the PC via a USB cable. Verify this by looking for this device in Windows Device Manager, under the section labeled ‘Custom USB Devices’. For more details see CBA Charge Controller.
  • Page 30 (such as Stop Voltage, IN-A, IN-B, etc.) Stop discharge cycle after #.### seconds If selected, the software will switch from discharge cycle to charge cycle once this duration has expired, regardless of any other stop conditions (such as cutoff voltage). West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...

  • Page 31: Test Example

    5. Enter the Weight of the battery; if interested in a Ragone graph, which adds weight as a variable in the graph. 6. Enter a meaningful test name that may include which battery being tested, the date, the cycle West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 32 WARNING: Never run a test unattended! Even though we have included many safety features unexpected things could happen that could cause a battery explosion or fire. Also certain types of computer lock ups could cause the CBA to over discharge the battery. West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...

  • Page 33: Test Complete

    Select “Test --> New” and the program will prompt if to append a new test on the previous test or start a • new test document. If a similar battery is to be compared, then select append, otherwise select a new test after saving. West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 34 If attempting to start another test with a test on the screen the program will give the following choices: > Selecting “New Test” will prompt for a test to be appended or to start a new graph.   West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 35 3. Select “Tools --> Preferences” and then select “print charts in black and white”. 4. See print preview below for an example of the tick marks (different marks identify different graph traces on black and white printers). West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 36 Begin by selecting “Print Labels” from the file menu. The dialog box allows to select specific tests and preview the layout, which are designed to use standard address labels. West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 37 Note: File names are being selected and files may have multiple tests in them.  One label will be printed for each test in the selected files. West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 38 Licensing To purchase an Extended license follow the instructions on . License information will be sent West Mountain Radio by email. NOTE: This information is case sensitive. After receiving the information start the program and connect the CBA that matches the License information.
  • Page 39 If an accurate voltage measurement is needed, use the following instructions for the voltage calibration procedure. NOTE: For maximum accuracy and safety always use very secure, very low resistance connections. West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 40 30 seconds off at a 4 amp load. Move the cursor to the graph until you see the test name displayed. Position the cursor directly onto a specific data point, then right click and select “Add Note”. West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 41 (power to weight). This graphing type is particularly useful when selecting a battery to power a device that is weight sensitive, such as small electric vehicles and mobile devices. West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...

  • Page 42: Typical Setup

    ® ® will close (short) and the West Mountain Radio Charge controller and the CBA Software can read the current drawn by the battery from the charger unit. Green LED: LED is lit when the CBA software has connected to the West Mountain Radio Charging •...

  • Page 43: Licensing Requirements

    Multiple CBA HR setups DO NOT require any additional licenses • Any mixture of CBA Basic and Extended software can run on a multi PC setup with multiple CBA IV’s and • CBA HR’s (where the Extended features only apply to that individual CBA with specific matching serial number).

  • Page 44: Connection And Installation

    Setup If more than one CBA is connected without a valid Multi-CBA license or CBA IV connected, the program will not start. Licensing and new hardware can be obtained from (No Multi-CBA License is required West Mountain Radio for CBA IV and/or CBA HR).
  • Page 45 If using multiple CBAs, first ensure that connecting to multiple CBAs is allowed while the program is operating. If using a CBA IV, this capability is built in. If unsure, start the CBA software and select ‘Tools’ and then ‘CBA Devices’.
  • Page 46 If the word loop does not appear before the other parameters, the software will finish the test when the last test point is complete. n specifies the number of constant current set points. West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 47 The following command-line options can also be used with /test: /battery, /cutoff (Required), /open, /title, /temperature, /graph, /amplifiers, /unit, /chargeunit, /chargegraph, /graphcurrent, /chargeignore, /chargerecover, /chargeamphrlimit West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 48 /temperatureF All tests support stopping at the specified temperature (n) however, not all tests support temperature graphing. Temperature will be graphed if the selected test supports it and saved to file (/open). West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 49 The time parameter is in seconds. /dischargerecovery time Example: /dischargerecovery 20 For Charge Discharge Test: if this parameter is used, then the software will graph voltage during the charge cycle. /graphvoltage   Example: /graphvoltage West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...

  • Page 50: Temperature Probe

    The extra pins are for future options. NOTE:   If using this software with a CBA II, do not remove the blue jumper.  CBA III and CBA IV do not have this jumper. For CBA HR, the optional temperature probe is connected via a 3.5 mm accessory jack located near the Powerpole connectors.
  • Page 51 It can be used with optional 4-wire measurement harness, which provides enhanced battery test voltage sensing by moving the CBA HR’s voltage sensing function from the large Powerpole (current) connectors, to an isolated measurement circuit (via 3.5 mm plug) to minimize test-lead resistance voltage drop. West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...

  • Page 52: Firmware Updates

    The ‘Device’ and ‘Status’ section of the window will show a status during the update process. After new firmware is sent to the device, the ‘Status’ section will say ‘Success’ when the CBA is ready to be used again. West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 53 WARNING: DO NOT unplug the CBA IV during a firmware update. The CBA update is complete. Serial Port Interconnection The CBA has a 5 pin accessory port where PIN1 closest to the LEDs. The CBA HR does not have a serial port. Sections covering RS-232 signal pin-outs and AT Command programming language do not apply to CBA HR.
  • Page 54 NOTE – CBA pins 1 & 2 are used for optional Temperature Probe input. Review that section for additional details on temperature sensor connections. The following is a schematic to convert computers RS-232 signal to communicate with the CBA. West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 55 AT*SEND=50 Status update every 5.0 seconds. AT*SEND=0 No status updates INTERVAL in 100’s of ms, at which the *STATUS AT*SEND Read INTERVAL message is automatically sent. AT*SEND? Write ATE0 none Echo Off (default) Write ATE1 none Echo on West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 56 *STATUS=5,11462368,9999,1250000,4500000,0,1,118 *STATUS=10,11463655,9999,1250000,4500000,0,1,116 //A while later *STATUS=1200,4529254,9999,1250000,4500000,0,1,122 *STOP=VOLTAGE, 1201, 0 //Test Stopped Because of low voltage at 20:01 minutes (1201) seconds //Status Messages Continue *STATUS=1200,4496851,9999,1250000,4500000,0,2,133 *STATUS=1200,4487823,9999,1250000,4500000,0,2,132 AT*SEND=0 //Turn off Status updates AT*STATUS? //Get Status Manually AT*STATUS=1200,4491300,9999,1250000,4500000,0,2,117 West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...

  • Page 57: Troubleshooting

    CBA and check the automotive style ATOATC fuse connected to the PCB (25A for CBA; 2A for CBA HR). Verify this fuse is okay and replace if necessary. If running high power CBA IV tests, it might be necessary to replace the factory installed 25A fuse with the 40A fuse, as separately, packed with each new CBA IV, If the fuse is okay but the CBA is still not drawing power, contact West Mountain Radio support.

  • Page 58: Computer System Requirements

    262-522-6503 x32 Fax: 262-522-6504 Mail: West Mountain Radio 1020 Spring City Drive Waukesha, WI 53186 For problems with the computer or USB port, contact the computer manufacturer. For problems with the Windows operating system, contact the computer manufacturer if Windows came pre- installed or Microsoft directly.
  • Page 59 Repaired or replaced items are warranted for the remainder of the original warranty period. You will be charged for repair or replacement of the CBA IV or accessory made after the expiration of the warranty period.

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