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WANTED: Capacity Tester

Lt.Dan

Solar Wizard
Joined
Dec 25, 2020
Messages
3,528
Location
Tulare, Ca
Hey guys, I'm in the market for a capacity tester, as I will be capacity testing 32 cells in the near future, and figured someone here had to have bought one to do their cells, and is now going to sit on the shelf for years (or forever lol).

I'm particularly looking for a higher wattage than the little electronic load testers with a small fan (LIKE THIS), but I'll take what I can get.
 
I have one of those little ones like you referenced, never used and sitting on a shelf. But it would take forever to drain down a 32 cell pack. Why not top-balance them and install them in The Meg with a shunt and capacity test that way? That's how I've been doing it anyway.
 
I wanted to do individual cells and then label them according to their result. After doing so, when I assemble a 2p16s pack, I can assemble the 2 furthest cells apart to get a more balanced pack. Ie, if a cell is 275AH and one is 265AH, I can put those 2 in parallel and get 270AH. Instead of putting 2x 275AH cells together and 2x 265AH cells together, and then be limited to 265AH.

Doing a capacity test with the entire pack doesn't tell me which ones are low (per say), and especially if one is way out and I need to have it returned/replaced.
 
I have not used one but the ZKETech EBC-A40L looks like it has good software tools to control the 40A charge and discharge cycles.

Being able to setup sequences of discharge and charging can get some other useful info like overpotential voltage vs state of charge.

Looks like about $250 with shipping.

Still should have an additional way to do a short 0.3 - 0.5 CA load test. It does not have to be super sophisticated.
 
I have not used one but the ZKETech EBC-A40L looks like it has good software tools to control the 40A charge and discharge cycles.

Being able to setup sequences of discharge and charging can get some other useful info like overpotential voltage vs state of charge.

Looks like about $250 with shipping.

Still should have an additional way to do a short 0.3 - 0.5 CA load test. It does not have to be super sophisticated.
That is a nice unit, and I have done a lot of research on various testers, including the EBC-A40L.

I'm looking to purchase a used one from someone who used theirs and is now sitting on the shelf collecting dust!
 
I have 4 of the small heater fans. I will have to dig them out and check them out, but I also have cables ready made as well. If you are in the Phoenix area I have better that I would loan you.
 
I have 4 of the small heater fans. I will have to dig them out and check them out, but I also have cables ready made as well. If you are in the Phoenix area I have better that I would loan you.
Unfortunately I'm in Central Cali, about 9 hours away. Would you be willing to let me borrow the 4 you have? Or perhaps sell them to me if you dont plan on using them again?

Better yet, I can just send you my 16 cells and you capacity test them with your fancy equipment and ship them back to me! Lol

I have the one you linked to, never used. In Ohio
Same thing, if you dont plan on using it, I'd love to buy it from you.
 
Unfortunately I'm in Central Cali, about 9 hours away. Would you be willing to let me borrow the 4 you have? Or perhaps sell them to me if you dont plan on using them again?

Yes, let me dig them out and test them, I haven't touched them since about January or February.

Better yet, I can just send you my 16 cells and you capacity test them with your fancy equipment and ship them back to me! Lol

I could do that, but shipping would be a big problem.
 
Yes, let me dig them out and test them, I haven't touched them since about January or February.



I could do that, but shipping would be a big problem.
Cool, let me know.

Shipping would be a little impractical. No worries there.
 
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