How Good is Your LiFePO4 Battery

[@KM4ACK]

Battery Tester - amzn.to/4j28svg

[@aaronhope8366]

I love the idea of using this as a heater while testing your batteries. Given that I'm always over batteried for the field, this is going to serve as a dialable tent warmer at night.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Another one where you got the video out before I did. Imagine if we harnessed our combined powers for good!

[@jarredjones8476]

You need to stop by sportsman's warehouse and check out the new batteries they have. They have 2 USB ports built in and volt meter.. one of them is allegedly "15AH" in a 9ah size .. only $79

[@Matthew-KN4QHQ]

I use the same tester for my batteries. I have been putting together my own battery packs. I have seen the total capacity does change depending on the BMS board I use in the build. Some of them leave more power in each cell some less before cutoff. I do have some Bioenno and they have all consistently tested higher than rated. Overall knowing the actual number is great for activations. Add in a draw meter for my radio and together they help me to select the correct pack for the job. I even put together a little 2.5Ah battery that I use for my TX500. I would need to dig that one out but actual test was 2.6somethingAh. So knowing my batteries and my radios lets me save weight and still have a fun time.

[@dorvinion]

I suppose for a battery without a low-voltage cutoff its probably a good idea to put an appropriate cutoff inline? Or does it have the means to set a cutoff voltage?

[@KM4ACK]

Almost all of your LiFePO4 batteries have low voltage protection. It's built into the BMS

[@dorvinion]

@@KM4ACK Of course I've got some unprotected 18650s laying around and a whole bunch of nimh cells as well. Checked the item description and it seems like it might have a low voltage alarm and possibly a cutoff - but I found conflicting info in the item comments so not really sure.

[@frankthies221]

Jason, what do you use to test larger batteries?

[@robertmeyer4744]

That tester works pretty good. They come with different color fan and sold under different name but same China factory . The USB ports for test are 5V only. Even it you use a PD 100 watt cable. Only loads 5V .Great for some power banks testing. On the one I have like that where you plug in 12V for tester ,I have a micro USB jack to power from 5V like a power bank. When using 300 AH battery for testing this takes a few days on that tester. and if you lose tested power the data is lost . Do not use tester on lead battery unless you want to kill it for good. you only want about 50% . But NiCD type can be tested . Even solar panel can be load tested . Even a 13.8V power supply but to 10 amps. Lots you can do with that tester . And it is not real costly either . 73

[@texican84american]

Excellent video. I was wondering if they made anything else worth buying.

[@davidsradioroom9678]

Interesting.