For proper testing of all types of batteries I use a device manufactured and marketed by "West Mountain radio" out of the US.
It couples with the USB port on your computer and using the software provided you can accurately apply a controlled discharge rate for any cell or battery from 1 to 55Volts. the results are graphically displayed with battery/cell voltage Vers. time. For further info please see following link: http://www.westmountainradio.com/cba.php John Parncutt From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: 12 March, 2014 16:42 To: Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia. Subject: Re: [Aus-soaring] Hand Held Radio Battery 1. A caution on Hobby King. They are indeed very cheap and supply stuff in a moderate time, but basically you should write off any order with them that goes wrong. I have had about 6 orders with them. One where an item went out of stock between my ordering it and them preparing the order. They wont tell you, your order will sit "pending completion" ie till the out of stock item comes into their warehouse (which may be never). Also had a second one where they sent me someone else's order (I assume they got mine which was the better deal for them!). Have been "negotiating" with Hobby King for a resolution since November (yes 5 months now). They have processes which must be follow but no-one at their end seems to understand clearly what they are. 2. Battery tester for capacity requires some form of voltage measurement over time with battery discharge. To make the test reasonably quick (ie an hour or a few) requires a moderately high current rate which you could do with spotlights or similar. You can then (knowing the current and voltage) work out the battery capacity. I don't believe any kit manufacturers would do this. I have done this recently with AA batteries playing around with a PIC type microprocessor. I also worked out a method for friends of mine in the 90s who were into RC car racing in a big way, when NiCads were the only batteries around and capacity was critical to them. The problem always is to waste the heat energy at the rate you want. Regards SWK ----- Original Message ----- From: "Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia." <[email protected]> To: "Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia." <[email protected]> Cc: Sent: Tue, 11 Mar 2014 23:18:26 +1100 Subject: Re: [Aus-soaring] Hand Held Radio Battery Ross is keeping away from batteries being sold from China. I have no experience of this, but modeller friends, use “Hobby King” –based in Hong Kong - extensively, with good results. I have not checked, but no doubt Altronics can supply you with an adequate kit to build a useable SLA battery tester too! However if you are regularly doing 10 or more hours in a single flight, without battery depletion problems, then I suggest that you do not need a battery tester. From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Erich Wittstock Sent: Tuesday, 11 March 2014 3:25 PM To: Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia. Subject: Re: [Aus-soaring] Hand Held Radio Battery First up the fishing rod: ..it is 2014 After a long debate - they did put the internet on computers. ;-) There is a handy search engine that works in a web browser - it is called Google. can be found at: http://www.google.com.au type in "FNB-64" into the search. and on the first page you will find something like <https://www.googlecom.au/search?q=FNB-64.&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=rcs&gfe_rd=ctrl&ei=GIkeU_j5Ds_C8gfqoYG4Cg&gws_rd=cr#channel=rcs&cr=countryAU&q=FNB-64.&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&safe=off&tbs=ctr:countryAU> this. ..and <https://www.master-instruments.com.au/products/57686/TWB-FNBV57H.html> here is a fish. You could get really adventurous and do a search on Ebay <http://www.ebay.com.au/> and get a result such <http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-Two-way-Radio-Battery-Replacement-for-Standard-FNB-64-FNB-83-/160942976753?pt=US_Radio_Comm_Antennas&hash=item2578f2eef1> as this. And now let's make this thread a bit more interesting: I would like to find out about the Ebay experience of the people on this mailing list with purchases such as batteries for hand held radios? And: what are people using to charge their SLA glider batteries (what is the BEST charger?) Do I really need one <http://www.antenergy.com.au/index.php/noco-g1100-genius-smart-battery-charger.html> of them? What is the best test to find out what capacity the glider battery actually has - not just what is written on them. What is a good SLA battery tester? I went through the archive of this list and found LiFePO4 being mentioned. Who uses LiFePO4? Interesting <http://soaringcafe.com/2011/01/new-technology-in-glider-batteries/> article here. What is your experience, how long have you used them now? Are they worth it? Erich On Tue, Mar 11, 2014 at 2:47 PM, Ross McLean <[email protected]> wrote: I am hoping someone can help me find a battery supplier for my VHF Handheld radio, the battery has finally given up. It is a Vertex Standard Pro V, VXA-150, and the battery product number is FNB-64. Thank you for any assistance. ROSS _______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list [email protected] To check or change subscription details, visit: http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring
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