Brymen 235 battery life? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Russ
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2017, 06:36:01 pm
content: HelloHow much battery life (approximately) are you getting from the two AAA cells? I had about three hours on a set of Eneloops, and the battery icon flickered slightly. I immediately pulled them, and got a reading of 1.275v from them. I then just dropped in a fresh set. I’m not really complaining, just curious.ThanksRuss

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2017, 11:24:31 pm
content: 3 hours would be dismal. Discussed at (bottom half of the thread)https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/the-bm235-does-not-accept-lithium-batteries/?allHow are you charging the Eneloops? With what charger? Do you know the AAA measured capacity?

author: Russ
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2017, 12:38:29 am
content: Quote from: retiredcaps on December 14, 2017, 11:24:31 pmThey are the 800mAh, AAA Eneloops. The battery icon just flickered slightly. The meter was working fine. Maybe I was a bit hasty in replacing them. I use a smart charger. Never a "quick" charger. They are new batteries too. As stated before, the voltage readings on them were about 1.275v, after I removed them?Thank youRuss

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2017, 12:57:37 am
content: 1.275 + 1.275 = 2.55V unloaded. So if the BM235 low battery is below approximately 2.5, then it would be very close to lighting the low batt icon.If you have a variable DC power supply, maybe you can determine the exact cutoff voltage?BTW, I use eneloops as well so I was curious how you charged them and with what. I can see a dumb pair charger potentially causing some issues.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2017, 01:16:26 am
content: 1.28 V on an Eneloop is about 50% charge remaining.If you have been treating the meter like a new "toy" and using it a lot, it would be normal for you to run through a set of batteries quickly.Once the novelty wears off and you start using it normally the batteries will last a lot longer.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 15, 2017, 12:07:34 pm
content: The value in the manual I actually measured myself on a set of Alkalines.

author: Russ
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2017, 04:23:34 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on December 15, 2017, 12:07:34 pmI can only assume that Eneloops will last longer than alkalines. It was just a couple of faint and very quick flickers of the battery icon.Russ

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 15, 2017, 09:17:36 pm
content: Quote from: Russ on December 15, 2017, 04:23:34 pmDon't assume, they are very different discharge curves, and the cutout is roughly 1.25V which is very high for a recharegable, it should be 1.1V.Bottom line is, the meter is not designed for rechargeables.Why bother anyway when the meter gets 240hrs typical on Alkalines?

author: firewalker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2017, 09:20:25 pm
content: Just use a batteriser.Alexander.

author: Russ
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2017, 10:51:41 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on December 15, 2017, 09:17:36 pmAlright, I'll drop Alkalines in it. I just try to avoid Alkalines, due to longevity and leakage issues. Any brand recommendations?Thanks

author: Russ
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2017, 10:52:56 pm
content: Quote from: firewalker on December 15, 2017, 09:20:25 pmThanks. I just ordered Dave's Eevblog Batteriser. And it was on sale too.Russ

author: deadlylover
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2017, 11:03:08 pm
content: On my unit the readings start to go wonky at around 1.89V, it shuts off at 1.75V. Low battery icon comes on at 2.53V.Since it's just a secondary meter for me, I have no problem ignoring the low battery warning and just using it until shut down ahahha.I use the IKEA LADDA 900mAH batteries which I suspect are rebranded eneloop AAA pro's, because there is only one factory in Japan that makes LSD NiMH batteries. They are really cheap here in Australia, <10 dollarydoos for a 4-pack.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 16, 2017, 12:03:51 am
content: Quote from: deadlylover on December 15, 2017, 11:03:08 pmYou've been watching too much of somebody...