How best to test these batteries? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: BeBuLamar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 11, 2024, 07:04:04 pm
content: I have a number of EBL Li-Ion rechargeable AA batteries. They are 3.6/3.7V Li-Ion with a regulator to keep the voltage at 1.5V. According to EBL they said the current is limited to 2A so I have used them and they work very well on low current draw application. For heavy current draw application like electronic flash they don't work well but it's OK as I can use NiMH for that. Now, last weekend I used them on the Nikon MD-12 motor drive for the Nikon FM and they didn't have enough current to work well. At first I thought the motor drive was bad but upon switching to NiMH the motor drive work well. It's kind of surprise to me as I have used them on Nikon F5 and F3 with motor drive and they didn't have problem. The Nikon F5 draws only about 1A max so it was OK.Now to what I want to do. I want to test if the battery can deliver 2A at 1.5V what do you suggest. I don't have an electronic load and I don't have low resistor. I would need to have something less than 1 Ohm to test it. What would you get to do the test?

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 11, 2024, 07:12:20 pm
content: Beside electronic load you can only find suitable resistive load. You cannot just short it and measure the current as buck converter will simply shut down. BTW EBL is shitty brand, dunno about their Li-ion but they were caugh faking rated NiMH capacity many times. Also camera might be drawing high intermittent current that will be fine for NiMH but force buck converter into overload protection or it make it not being able to keep up voltage regulation with sudden load increase.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2024, 06:23:50 am
content: Quote from: wraper on November 11, 2024, 07:12:20 pmI have had no issue with their lithium primary cells. I get more out of them than I get out of Energizer Lithiums and they are much less money.

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2024, 09:41:43 am
content: Maybe you got some fake Energizers? The Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA tests at about 3,500mAh:https://lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/Energizer%20Ultimate%20Lithium%20AA%202019%20UK.htmlThis is a bit higher than the EBL rating (have you tested any of yours?).EBL has a bit of a rocky history. Sometimes they are OK, sometimes they fib a bit. Of the "no-name" brands, they are a popular choice. I have a bunch of their 600mAh 9V lithium rechargeables and so far I've had one go bad. They test close to their rated Ah capacity, but the Wh rating is lower than expected at first glance due to their lower operating voltage. Tenergy is a better choice in my opinion and I've been buying them lately instead.If you're buying Energizer batteries at your local store, you have to know the prices are heavily marked up, especially on the smaller count packages. My local store wants over $4 per AA Energizer Lithium battery, which is just highway robbery. I can get 18 packs on eBay for just over $1 per battery depending on quantity:https://www.ebay.com/itm/405341128707https://www.ebay.com/itm/315936608419Also, the newest Energizer Ultimate Lithiums are rated for a 25 year shelf life, up from 20 years on previous stock.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2024, 02:58:13 pm
content: Quote from: J-R on November 12, 2024, 09:41:43 amNo, I've not fully tested either. Too expensive for that.What I mean by "I get more out of them.." is, for the dollar spend I get a lot more use out of EBLs than Energizers.For example, I can buy a pack of 12 Energizers (AA) for $52 CAD and I can buy a pack of 16 EBL for $40 CAD. That 16 pack of EBL lasts me in general use longer than the 12 pack of Energizers and costs $12 CAD less.