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West Mountain Radio

Operating Manual

Introduction

Thank you for choosing the West Mountain Radio CBA.  It takes the guesswork 

out of using batteries and it will help you learn about batteries.

The CBA is much more than a simple battery voltage tester or a battery load tester. 

The CBA will test virtually any type or size of battery, any chemistry or number of 

cells, with modest limits on voltage and discharge current. Now anyone can do 

scientific tests of their batteries for a reasonable price.

The CBA V is capable of tests up to a maximum of either 40 ams at lower voltages 

or 150 watts continuous at higher voltages.  When using an optional amplifier, 

tests can be done at 500 watts.  Amplifiers can be used in parallel for higher power 

discharges.

The CBA not only tests the total amount of energy stored in a battery (capacity in 

amp-hours) but it graphically displays and charts the voltage versus time using a 

constant current load. Graphs may be displayed, saved and printed and the axis 

parameters can be changed at anytime.  Multiple test graphs of the same battery, 

or multiple batteries, may be compared or overlaid; a very useful feature. 

The CBA is ruggedly built and supplied with 45 Amp Powerpole® connectors 

for the battery connection.  It is small with a high performance cooling system 

and quiet fan. It is provided with LED indicators, visible from across a room, that 

display communication and test status.
The software supplied with the CBA, is easy to use and intuitive. It provides 

automatic sensing of the battery cell count, a safety check of the test rate, and 

recommends a minimum safe discharge voltage. It is designed to protect both the 

CBA and the batteries being tested. Test profiles may be edited or recalled by the 

user.  

The optional Extended Software license provides all the features of the standard 

version, but adds a number of advanced features. The Extended Software version 

also adds the ability to graph the battery temperature with when the optional temp 

probe is connected. 

Package Contents

The following is a list of the contents for the CBA IV.  Verify that all the following 

items were included:

• 

CBA Computerized Battery Analyzer Unit

• 

USB Cable

• 

6” Pigtail Adapter (Battery-to-CBA)

• 

Spare 25-Amp Fuse

• 

Fuse Puller

• 

Remote Sense Cable (supplied with Pro units only)

• 

CD of CBA Standard Software

• 

User’s Manual

INTRODUCTION

Summary of Contents for CBA V

Page 1: ...ountainradio com 1020 Spring City Drive Waukesha WI 53186 262 522 6503 sales westmountainradio com 2021 West Mountain Radio All rights reserved All trademarks are the property of their respective owne...

Page 2: ...stand alone temperature probe USB Port connect CBA to PC Powerpoles use pigtail adapter to connect to battery 25A Fuse use Fuse Puller to replace Status LED see Pg 7 Remote Sense Cable Use the 2 righ...

Page 3: ...or multiple batteries may be compared or overlaid a very useful feature The CBA is ruggedly built and supplied with 45 Amp Powerpole connectors for the battery connection It is small with a high perf...

Page 4: ...erials Never allow a battery reach a temperature that causes it to get so hot that it may be too hot to touch or battery case softens or fumes Recharge the batteries immediately with an appropriate ba...

Page 5: ...onnection to a lead acid battery causing a spark on the terminal Always connect the load or charger last and at a safe distance away from the battery NiCad NiMh and Alkaline Safety Warnings These batt...

Page 6: ...he charge state of each cell in the pack Unbalanced cells can lead to disaster if it permits overcharge of a single cell in the pack If the batteries show any sign of swelling discontinue charging and...

Page 7: ...tant for the exact test termination time The remote sense cable also has a temperature sensor that can be attached to the outside of the battery to terminate a test in case of over heat The Extended s...

Page 8: ...ntain Radio 5 Connect a battery or power supply for testing making sure the polarity is correct WARNING BE CERTAIN THAT YOU HAVE THE POLARITY CORRECT FOR STANDARD CONVENTION PLUS TO PLUS MINUS TO MINU...

Page 9: ...CBA software tests Use of CBA without the GUI Software For use of the CBA without the graphical software provided download the API from the West Mountain Radio website under Support Downloads CBA API...

Page 10: ...solar cells Determine the maximum power they can provide Charge Discharge Perform life cycle test of the battery see how its capacity reacts after user specified number of discharge charge cycles Dut...

Page 11: ...s not running that the voltage shows right if not see above Verify the test stop criteria is as expected Expand the chart and if the voltage drops very fast you may be setting the current draw too hig...

Page 12: ...Mountain Radio Support If you cannot find the answer to a question about using the CBA here in this manual and help files you may get help several other ways Web Support http www westmountainradio com...

Page 13: ...ote sense cable 1 Voltage range for bat tery under test CBA V CBA V Pro 1V to 57V CBA V Pro 100 1V to 100V Sample rate Standard software 1 Second Extended software 50ms to 10 minutes Residual current...

Page 14: ...eriod You will be charged for repair or replacement of the CBA V or accessory made after the expiration of the warranty period West Mountain Radio shall have no liability or responsibility to customer...

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