Someone point me to a guide on testing charger and batteries with meter?

[Harryinny]

Would like to take readings of everything. I how-to guide would be great. Like what settings used on the multi meter, What is tested and how on the charger. Stuff like that. I would like to know how to tell when your batteries are on their way out and you need new ones. I use no more then 30 watts at most with my Kanthal and temp builds, so that would probably be important information on what exact batteries to use. I use Samsung 25R's and have 2 new LGDBHG21865 batteries. Took the stickers off so i can not remember the exact model of battery, but it was a recomended one from the Evic VTC mini site of batteries they say to use.
All are 18650's.
Thanks for any help.

Harry

 

[DaveP]

Set your meter on DC Volts in the range that's higher than 4.2v (most meters have a 10v or 20v range) and use the red meter lead on the positive terminal and the black lead on the negative terminal. The positive terminal on the 25R has legs radiating from the center button to the outer case. The negative terminal is completely flat all the way across.

You should read a voltage somewhere in the range from 3.2v to 4.2v depending on the battery's charge level. Most mods shut down and tell you to change batteries around 3.4v to 3.5v. Some will continue to discharge to lower levels.

Pictures here.
How to Use a Multimeter - learn.sparkfun.com

 

[Harryinny]

Set your meter on DC Volts in the range that's higher than 4.2v (most meters have a 10v or 20v range) and use the red meter lead on the positive terminal and the black lead on the negative terminal. The positive terminal on the 25R has legs radiating from the center button to the outer case. The negative terminal is completely flat all the way across.

You should read a voltage somewhere in the range from 3.2v to 4.2v depending on the battery's charge level. Most mods shut down and tell you to change batteries around 3.4v to 3.5v. Some will continue to discharge to lower levels.

Pictures here.
How to Use a Multimeter - learn.sparkfun.com

My Evic Mini takes the bats down to 3% and i get mad because i always thought this had a 10% warning or some kind of safety thing built in just for this reason. Yah, my Batteries are reading 4.15 full charge. The Samsungs are still hanging in there. Been about 25-30 cycles each, have 4 in rotation. I have 2 new LG's and not putting those into rotation until these bats are going down pretty fast. I need to order more soon as backups, but the motorcycle needs an oil change and plugs, so i will have to wait on the batts.
Thanks for the reply

Harry

 

[DaveP]

My Evic Mini takes the bats down to 3% and i get mad because i always thought this had a 10% warning or some kind of safety thing built in just for this reason. Yah, my Batteries are reading 4.15 full charge. The Samsungs are still hanging in there. Been about 25-30 cycles each, have 4 in rotation. I have 2 new LG's and not putting those into rotation until these bats are going down pretty fast. I need to order more soon as backups, but the motorcycle needs an oil change and plugs, so i will have to wait on the batts.
Thanks for the reply

Harry

Best prices on batteries are found at sites that specialize in batteries. RTDVapor, ORBtronics, and Illumn will have top notch LG, Samsung, AW, and Sony 18650s for $7 or under on sale. If you buy at a vape shop or department store you'll pay up to $12 for an 18650.

 

[Baditude]

A digital multimeter (DMM) is probably the most accurate tool to measure battery voltage, but an inline 510 voltage meter (or reader) is much easier in my opinion.

 

[AzPlumber]

Testing a Li-Ion charger with a volt meter won't tell you much.

 

[Harryinny]

Best prices on batteries are found at sites that specialize in batteries. RTDVapor, ORBtronics, and Illumn will have top notch LG, Samsung, AW, and Sony 18650s for $7 or under on sale. If you buy at a vape shop or department store you'll pay up to $12 for an 18650.

Thanks, i am going to save this thread link for future reading and purchases. That in line meter is cool.

 

[puffon]

These also work good for checking battery voltage quickly:
$1.87 V20D 0.36" LED Two Line 3-Digital Direct-Current Volt Meter Module - measurement range: DC 2.5~30V at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping

 

[DaveP]

Thanks, i am going to save this thread link for future reading and purchases. That in line meter is cool.

This is a neat little device that I use for checking current draw. $11.99 at Amazon. For that price it's a must for what it does. You just plug it into a USB power source and then plug the device to be tested into the output. It reads the source voltage and the current draw of the device plugged into the output.

It's not something everyone would find interesting, but it cleared up the reason that my new Xtar VC4 charger wouldn't charge two 18650's at 1A current each. One of my 5 port USB wall chargers was delivering only 380ma to the Xtar. My other 5 port wall charger delivered 1.99A. With the second charger the VC4 could charge 2 batteries at 1A.

Amazon.com: AboveTEK AUT-39C Dual Port Portable USB 2.0 Power Monitor with Built-in Real Time Charging Display: Computers & Accessories