West Mountain Radio Powerpole CBA User Manual

CBA V User Manual
JULY 2021
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.
The CBA is much more than a simple battery voltage tester or a battery load tester. It will test virtually
any type or size of battery, any chemistry or number of cells, up to 55 volts. Now anyone can do
scientific battery tests for a reasonable price.
The CBA alone is capable of tests up to a maximum of either 40 amps or 150 watts for short periods of
time. For continuous operation, suggested values are 20 amps or 100 watts, whichever is higher.
When used with an optional amplifier, tests can be done at 500 watts.
The CBA not only tests the total amount of energy stored in a battery (capacity in amp-hours), but also
graphically displays and charts the voltage versus time using a constant current load. Graphs may be
displayed, saved and printed, and the axis parameters can be changed at anytime. Multiple test graphs
of the same battery, or multiple batteries, may be compared or overlaid; a very useful feature. Battery
test data may be printed in color or black and white to paper or convenient test labels to put directly on
the tested batteries. An optional external temperature probe provides automatic over temperature test
cutoff.
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The CBA is ruggedly built and supplied with 12 gauge wire and Powerpole connectors for battery test
connections. It is small with a high performance cooling system and quiet fan. LED indicators are
visible from across a room that display communication and test status.
Standard software supplied with the CBA is easy to use, intuitive, and designed to protect both the CBA
and batteries being tested. It provides automatic sensing of battery cell count, a safety check of the
test rate, and recommends a minimum safe discharge voltage. There are user editable and recallable
battery test profiles and Capacity Discharge tests may be viewed in Amp Hours, Watt Hours or Minutes.
The Charge Monitor Test mode charts and records voltage rise during a charge or discharge. Lab
calibration current adjustment is a standard user feature to improve accuracy for testing at very low
discharge rates, or for critical applications.
The optional Extended Software license provides all the features of the standard version, but adds five
additional test modes: Time Discharge, Duty Cycle, Constant Power, Multiple Discharge and Constant
Resistance. Results can be graphed as Voltage vs. Amp hours, Watt hours, Minutes or Ragone
depending on the type of test. 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). An additional lab calibration feature makes it possible to compensate
for test lead resistance, giving accurate readings at the battery terminals.
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