Re: Unusual Challenge

[ABLE1 <somewhere@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On 1/30/2022 11:19 PM, John R. Sowden wrote:
> On 1/13/22 20:00, ABLE1 wrote:
>> On 1/12/2022 11:29 PM, RTS wrote:
>>> On 1/12/2022 9:12 PM, John R. Sowden wrote:
>>>> Could you please advise how you got a 60% reading on a cr2032
>>>> lithium battery.  When I replace a battery on a wireless job, it was
>>>> my understanding that there is no test for a life of a lithiom battery.
>>>>
>>>> John Sowden
>>>> American Aentry
>>>> SF Bay Area
>>>> jsowden@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>>
>>>> On 10/20/21 5:31 PM, ABLE1 wrote:
>>>>> Hey Guys,
>>>>>
>>>>> Would like some thoughts on the following challenge.
>>>>>
>>>>> Customer has a showroom/office in one building and the shop in another
>>>>> that is 70 feet away.  They wanted to have a way to get notified in
>>>>> the
>>>>> shop that a potential customer came into the showroom.
>>>>>
>>>>> What I installed was a door contact switch on the entry door and wired
>>>>> a Linear DXT-31 transmitter and a Linear DXT-701 Receiver in the shop.
>>>>>
>>>>> Â From there I used the contacts on the receiver to trigger and
>>>>> Altronix
>>>>> timer and the contacts there to trigger a horn/buzzer for about 1
>>>>> sec. when the door was opened.
>>>>>
>>>>> It has worked quite well for some time but, recently I was told that
>>>>> it did not respond to ALL entering the showroom.
>>>>>
>>>>> I was there a couple of weeks ago and it was working but the the
>>>>> CR2032
>>>>> batteries were about 60% level and I changed to new.  Tested the
>>>>> batteries were at 100%. OK.
>>>>>
>>>>> I was then informed yesterday that it was still missing some entries.
>>>>>
>>>>> I stopped in today and first I tested the door 3 times and it did not
>>>>> work.
>>>>>
>>>>> I tested the batteries.  They were at 100%
>>>>>
>>>>> I removed the transmitter and went to the shop and it worked 5 times
>>>>> in a row.  Or let's say 100%  I put the transmitter back in the attic
>>>>> above the showroom where it was but staff was in a meeting so I could
>>>>> not test.
>>>>>
>>>>> Was told later that they tried it and it did not work a total of 3
>>>>> times
>>>>>
>>>>> Now the receiver has a wire about 7" long as a antenna.  I have
>>>>> it hanging over the edge of a window so that the walls would not block
>>>>> the RF signal. The Transmitter is in the attic space on a vertical
>>>>> 2x4.  The only thing that might block the signal would be the plywood
>>>>> and asphalt shingles on the roof, 70' of distance, bug screen and
>>>>> glass window.
>>>>>
>>>>> Needless to say this is a intermittent problem that is NOW not
>>>>> working!!
>>>>>
>>>>> So, any thoughts on this before I type something that really made a
>>>>> difference this afternoon.
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks for any thoughts!!
>>>>>
>>>>> Les
>>>>
>>> Whenever I have a need to check the current status of a battery,
>>> I use a static resistance load..
>>> First you need the discharge rate sheet from the manufacture.
>>> Then a meter to read the static voltage on the cell
>>> Second another meter to read the current from battery to load
>>> Third a rated load (resistor) I use different resistors to make up
>>> the discharge current as listed on the manufacturers discharge sheet.
>>> (take care to use a high enough wattage rating on your resistor)
>>>
>>> Then just add the load to the battery and monitor the discharge
>>> rates on the meters..
>>> Compare your reading with the manufacturers sheet..  ;-)
>>>
>>> you can do the same thing using the device as the load..
>>> giving you a better idea of battery life expectancy ...
>>>
>>> Isn't that fun.. ?
>>> RTS
>
>
>
>>
>> Then again you could get one of these and test the battery much easier.
>> ZTS MBT-1 Pulse Load Battery Tester
>> Search on eBay!!  $95.00
>>
>> Have fun!!
>>
>> Les
>
> I think these methods are for a Gell Cell that is rechargeable. Actually
> about 30 years ago I took a millameter from an Ademco 1005 control, put
> a shunt resistor across it, and a set of clip leads connectd to the
> meter terminals.  I just laid it across the battery for a couple of
> seconds to measure the battery voltage under load.
>
> This is a different situation.  The battery under test is a dry cell and
> I am trying to test the battery without depleting the energy left in it.
> Oh, and I and too fruglly chalenged to spend 95.00 to do what I did for
> 0.00 and a bit of my time.
>
> I contacted several lithium battery mfg. and no one knew how to test the
> battery.
>
> John
>

Hi John,

Every battery that I know of has a life.  Trying to squeeze out every
last electron can be a PITA and as such, is it worth the time to do so??

I have this tester to test batteries that I am involved with on a daily
basis.  Alkaline, Lithium, LiPo, CR123a, CR2032, AA, AAA, 9 volt and
many others.

Before I had this tester I would use my volt meter or just replace with
new depending on the situation and guess??  Now I use the tester to test
the batteries before I install them to verify that they are 100%.
I have found a Dead Battery in a pack of NEW from time to time.
Very Frustrating!!  But it happens!!

Yes, the cost is $95 but in MY opinion it is worth every penny.

You may and apparently do see it another way...................

Have a good week!!

Les