Recommendations on battery simulator/SMU - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: daqq
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2024, 09:03:10 am
content: Hi,We are looking for something that can simulate a battery. Sink, source, if it can do internal resistance, perfect. 14V/2A (2A source, charge 1A) is what we need max, anything above is fine.So far I've found the following to be interesting:Series 2281S (https://www.tek.com/en/products/keithley/dc-power-supplies/2281s-series-battery-simulator-emulator#product-list) - seems best of the lot, but measurement seems slow, would be great to capture peaksNGU201 (https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/products/test-and-measurement/dc-power-supplies/rs-ngu-source-measure-units_63493-1005128.html) - requires software option for battery stuff, nice samplingB2901B (https://www.keysight.com/us/en/product/B2901B/precision-smu-1ch-100fa-resolution-210v-3a-dc-10-5a-pulse.html) - complete overkillE36731A (https://www.keysight.com/us/en/product/E36731A/battery-emulator-and-profiler.html) - still looking at this oneAny other recommendations? Or what to avoid?Thanks,David

author: Phil1977
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2024, 09:20:29 am
content: Good old Keithley 2400? Yes, it´s a little expensive and outdated regarding the UI.But did anyone ever regret having it on the table?

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2024, 09:27:16 am
content: Agilent 66311B or one of its many cousins. Relatively cheap on the used market as well.

author: pdenisowski
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2024, 11:05:24 am
content: Quote from: daqq on July 17, 2024, 09:03:10 amIf you have any questions about the NGU, please let me know - if I can't answer them, I (personally) know the people who canI'm assuming you've seen these?

author: mawyatt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2024, 12:34:30 pm
content: That R&S NGU201 looks nice, good videos to back it up as well!!In a pinch David, you might be able to use the Instek GPP-4323 which can use one channel as a simple load while the other is a source.https://www.gwinstek.com/en-global/products/downloadSeriesDownNew/14230/1737Also, one could parallel up a PS and E-Load and control them via remote SCPI commands.Best,

author: jc101
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2024, 04:00:15 pm
content: I have a 2281S, which works well for me. The downside is that the fan noise is the worst of anything I own; the pitch grates the most. I try not to use it if I can. Plus, it cannot create battery models. Well, it can, but only discharging at a fixed 1A. So, for battery models, they recommend an SMU.I was looking at the Keithley E36731A as a replacement, as it can both generate the models and emulate a battery. The biggest issue is that you buy the instrument but then have to rent or buy a license for BenchVue to use any of the battery emulation stuff. The annual rental is ~$900 a year; to purchase a permanent node-locked licence, add about 30% onto the unit's price. Oh, and they recommend you have the software on maintenance, that's a few hundred a year too.

author: daqq
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2024, 09:05:01 am
content: Thanks to everyone for the opinions!So far the NGU looks like the nicest option, if quite pricey, especially with the battery option being another pretty expensive license.Another interesting SMU but without battery simulation ishttps://www.aimtti.com/product-category/source-measure-units/aim-smu4000

author: jc101
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2024, 05:51:20 pm
content: Quote from: pdenisowski on July 17, 2024, 11:05:24 amThe R&S NGU201 looks interesting, does it let you connect a battery and generate a battery model from it?I've often looked at the SMU4000 from AimTTI but have not found a review of one. Based on the specs, they look like good value.

author: mawyatt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2024, 06:01:37 pm
content: Another SMU is GW Instek GSM-20H10.https://www.gwinstek.com/en-US/products/detail/GSM-20H10Best,

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2024, 06:43:53 pm
content: Quote from: jc101 on July 18, 2024, 05:51:20 pmOnly one way to find out then: order one and try it. Send it back if you don't like it. Maybe you can get a demo unit on loan for evaluation.

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 18, 2024, 07:00:07 pm
content: A budget option might be the Agilent 66319D or such like. Obsolete, widely available on second hand market for few hundred dollars. 15V/3A output, GPIB connection, with programmable output resistance up to 1Ohm (seems low to me) in steps of 1mOhm. Will sink current over 1A - but the current is not programmable (you can use some custom software to auto adjust output voltage to reach desired discharge current, bit of a cludge though).https://www.keysight.com/gb/en/product/66319D/dual-mobile-comm-dc-source-battery-emulation-dvm.html

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2024, 10:51:31 pm
content: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/keysight-e36731a-battery-emulator-alternative/https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/battery-simulators-ngm202-vs-bcs6401/That aim smu4000 is 25W, so you'd probably only get 1.8A at 14V not 2A.

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2025, 01:37:18 am
content: You probably already got something.. but ..https://www.tek.com/en/products/dc-power-supplies/2300-series15V/5A. Single and dual channel. Source resistance adjustable.No front panel touch interface on this guy. You need to script all the advanced features (or pay for kickstart software maybe). But there are a bunch of these available inexpensively since they've been on the market for a while.