Re: Unusual Challenge

["John R. Sowden" <jsowden@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

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