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
CBA HR
Computerized Battery Analyzer
www.westmountainradio.com
1020 Spring City Drive
Waukesha, WI 53186
262-522-6503
sales@westmountainradio.com
©2021 West Mountain Radio, All rights reserved. All trademarks are
the property of their respective owners.

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Summary of Contents for West Mountain Radio CBA IV

  • Page 1 CBA IV CBA HR Computerized Battery Analyzer www.westmountainradio.com 1020 Spring City Drive Waukesha, WI 53186 262-522-6503 sales@westmountainradio.com ©2021 West Mountain Radio, All rights reserved. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
  • Page 2 Ragone graphs require the weight of the battery/batteries to be accurate. 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 3 The CBA HR is not designed to be used with optional West Mountain Radio 500 watt CBA Amplifiers. For higher test currents and voltages that exceed the CBA HR’s ratings - use the West Mountain Radior CBA IV, which can accommodate one or more 500W Amplifiers.
  • Page 4 • 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 5 Ragone graphs require the weight of the battery/batteries to be accurate. 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 6 The CBA HR is not designed to be used with optional West Mountain Radio 500 watt CBA Amplifiers. For higher test currents and voltages that exceed the CBA HR’s ratings - use the West Mountain Radior CBA IV, which can accommodate one or more 500W Amplifiers.

  • Page 7: 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 8 Be aware the heatsink of the CBA is at battery potential (positive terminal of battery). • Never connect a battery to the CBA if that battery is connected to something else. • Contact West Mountain Radio for support before connecting to a USB hub. • Operate the CBA in a cool dry location. •...
  • Page 9 Recharge batteries immediately with an appropriate battery charger after tests are completed. Some • types do not like to remain discharged for extended periods of time. Never test or charge batteries while unattended. • Always have a fire extinguisher nearby. • West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...

  • Page 10: Getting Started

    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 11 Many of these features can be quickly accessed by right-clicking on the chart. When the cursor is moved to a point on the test line, details from that point pop-up like the following: West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...

  • Page 12: Program Features

    Click on the small down arrow above the menu to hide the ribbon and make more space on the screen. Click on the ribbon title to access the functions under that ribbon. It is also possible to double click on a ribbon tab and it West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 13 Closes the file for the currently selected tab on the screen and then deletes the file from the disk. Rename File Rename the file for the currently selected tab on the screen on the disk. Overlay File West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 14 Creates a text file, comma delimited with a summary of all the tests on the current file. In a spreadsheet, the data would look like the following: Test Menu New Test This is the function that starts a new test. For details, see the section “Test Configuration” of this manual. West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...

  • Page 15: View Menu

    Export Test This function creates a .CSV file for just one test on the chart. View Menu West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 16 When the icon reads Zoom, hold the mouse button down and move the mouse to pan the screen. Pressing shift while holding the mouse down performs the other mode action. So If in zoom mode, shift will cause it to pan and vice versa. West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...

  • Page 17: Chart Menu

    Extract Test Click on one of the lines on the chart. This will create a new file with just that test in it. Use this function to reverse an overlay. Test Properties West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...

  • Page 18: Tools Menu

    Stop test when battery temperature reaches this applies to all tests. If an external temperature probe is connected, place it on the battery and the any test or current draw would stop if the battery gets to this West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 19 In the standard version of the software, the temperature is displayed and the temperature may be used as a safety feature to automatically stop a test at a user’s set maximum battery temperature. Cable Calibrate West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 20 TestType is the selected test. n is a number that gets incremented automatically for each new duplicate file. Battery Description On the right side in the blue area, various characteristics may be entered that are saved in the test file to help document the test. West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 21 The CBA draws a load for a set duration, then stops drawing a load for set duration, and then repeats until the cut-off voltage Duty Cycle is reached. The load can be configured to be constant current, constant power or constant resistance. West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 22 WARNING: Never hook the CBA to a battery that has something else connected and that is not totally ground isolated. To test a charge in the charge monitor mode, the charger must be totally electrically isolated from the computer ground. West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 23 X - for All CBA using Standard Software 1 - Requires Extended Software 2 - Requires a multi-unit license CBA I, II, CBA IV CBA HR Discharge - Apply a current until voltage drops to a specified level Mission Profile - Run a pass/fail test...
  • Page 24 2. Start a test at the intended current for the battery to test and with the wiring intended to be used for testing. West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 25 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 26 This will overlay a second graph on each test screen with the temperature. A temperature probe must be connected to the CBA and calibrated with the sensor in intimate contact with the center of the battery for proper readings. West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 27 An Extended License is still required for specialized testing options, as documented elsewhere in this manual. Since Extended software is tied to the CBA’s serial number, an Extended licensee is required for EACH CBA that needs those specialized testing features. To purchase an Extended License visit West Mountain Radio West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...

  • Page 28: 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 29 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 West Mountain Radio required for CBA IV and/or CBA HR).
  • Page 30 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 31 8 seconds by the Power Profile Test specified increment until the cutoff current value is reached or the battery voltage falls below the /cutoff parameter. Example (2A increment with 20 A cutoff current and 8.5V cutoff) West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 32 /test discharge 1.5 /cutoff 10.5 /open filename Specify which test results file to open. If a hands-free test mode was initiated with /test command-line option, then test results are saved to this file when finished. Example: /open test.bt2 West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 33 For multiple CBA operation, this is an optional argument to specify which CBA to use. Example: /unit 40100 /chargeunit Serial For multiple Charger Interfaces this is an optional argument to specify which Charger Interface to use Example: /chargeunit 45999 West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 34 X - for All CBA using Standard Software 1 - Requires Extended Software 2 - Requires a multi-unit license CBA I, II, CBA IV CBA HR Discharge - Apply a current until voltage drops to a specified level Mission Profile - Run a pass/fail test...
  • Page 35 2. Start a test at the intended current for the battery to test and with the wiring intended to be used for testing. West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 36 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 37 This will overlay a second graph on each test screen with the temperature. A temperature probe must be connected to the CBA and calibrated with the sensor in intimate contact with the center of the battery for proper readings. West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 38 An Extended License is still required for specialized testing options, as documented elsewhere in this manual. Since Extended software is tied to the CBA’s serial number, an Extended licensee is required for EACH CBA that needs those specialized testing features. To purchase an Extended License visit West Mountain Radio West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 39 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 40 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 41 If using a CBA IV, this capability is built in. If unsure, start the CBA software and select ‘Tools’ and then ‘CBA Devices’. Begin by plugging in the CBAs and if more than one shows up (similar to what is pictured above), please read...
  • Page 42 Power Profile Test increment until the cutoff current value is reached or the battery voltage falls below the /cutoff parameter. Example (2A increment with 20 A cutoff current and 8.5V cutoff) /test profile 2,20 /cutoff 8.5 West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 43 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 44 For Charge Discharge Test: Delay time in seconds between charge and discharge portions of test. DEFAULT: 60 seconds /chargeamphrlimit AmpHrs For Charge Discharge Test: During charging phase this parameter will stop the cycle after the specified number of AmpHrs. Example: /chargeamphrlimit 2.800 West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 45 The CBA HR contains a 3.5 mm auxiliary connector jack, positioned just to the left of the large Powerpole test connectors. There are two remote circuit functions associated with this connector, thus the connector jack serves two purposes. It can be used with optional 4-wire measurement harness, which provides enhanced battery test voltage West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 46 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 47 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 message is Read AT*SEND automatically sent. INTERVAL AT*SEND? Write ATE0 Echo Off (default) none Write ATE1 Echo on none West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...
  • Page 48 CBA Charger Interface Charge / Discharge Test The West Mountain Radio Charge Controller has the following inputs and outputs: IN-A and IN-B: These should connect to a signal on the charging unit that indicates charging is complete. An LED will suffice. These inputs can handle up to 12V.

  • Page 49: Typical Setup

    (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 Interface board. NOTE: There is a green power LED also.

  • Page 50: Temperature Probe

    It does NOT make any difference which way it goes in as long as it is plugged in to the far right two pins. 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.
  • Page 51 262-522-6503 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 52: Update Procedure

    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: Troubleshooting

    WARNING: DO NOT unplug the CBA IV during a firmware update. The CBA update is complete. Troubleshooting No CBA units available If the CBA program indicates “No CBA units available” when opening a new test window; and/or the CBA green LED or virtual LEDs are not on when a CBA is connected and the program is running - the Windows®...

  • Page 54: Computer System Requirements

    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 55 An available USB port For graph and label printing: Any Windows compatible, laser or ink jet, color or black and white, printer Avery 5160 (laser) or Avery 8160 (Inkjet) labels are required for label printing West Mountain Radio Operating Manual...

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