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West Mountain Radio
Operating Manual
Introduction
Thank you for choosing the West Mountain Radio Computerized Battery Analyzer (CBA). The CBA is a
powerful test instrument that measures, graphs, and compares performance of both primary and secondary
(rechargeable) batteries and individual cells. The CBA allows for the precise measurement of battery capacity
and takes the guesswork out of choosing the best battery for your application.
The CBA is much more than a simple battery voltage tester or a battery load tester. It will test virtually any type
or size of battery, any chemistry or number of cells, up to 55 volts. Now anyone can do scientific battery tests
for a reasonable price.
The CBA alone is capable of tests up to a maximum of either 40 amps or 150 watts for short periods of time.
For continuous operation, suggested values are 20 amps or 100 watts, whichever is higher. When used with
an optional amplifier, tests can be done at 500 watts.
The CBA not only tests the total amount of energy stored in a battery (capacity in amp-hours), but also 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. Battery test data may be printed in color
or black and white to paper or convenient test labels to put directly on the tested batteries. An optional external
temperature probe provides automatic over temperature test cutoff.
The CBA is ruggedly built and supplied with 12 gauge wire and Powerpole
®
connectors for battery test
connections. It is small with a high performance cooling system and quiet fan. LED indicators are visible from
across a room that display communication and test status.
Standard software supplied with the CBA is easy to use, intuitive, and designed to protect both the CBA and
batteries being tested. It provides automatic sensing of battery cell count, a safety check of the test rate, and
recommends a minimum safe discharge voltage. There are user editable and recallable battery test profiles and
Capacity Discharge tests may be viewed in Amp Hours, Watt Hours or Minutes. The Charge Monitor Test mode
charts and records voltage rise during a charge or discharge. Lab calibration current adjustment is a standard
user feature to improve accuracy for testing at very low discharge rates, or for critical applications.
The optional Extended Software license provides all the features of the standard version, but adds five additional
test modes: Time Discharge, Duty Cycle, Constant Power, Multiple Discharge and Constant Resistance.
Results can be graphed as Voltage vs. Amp hours, Watt hours, Minutes or Ragone depending on the type of
test. Ragone graphs require the weight of the battery/batteries to be accurate.
A CBA IV enables another test: Power Profile. This test is very useful for power supply testing or solar cell
analysis. The resulting graph displays Voltage vs. Amps or Watts. The Extended Software version also adds
the ability to graph battery temperature with CBA III and CBA IV (when the optional temperature probe is
connected). An additional lab calibration feature makes it possible to compensate for test lead resistance, giving
accurate readings at the battery terminals.
When using a CBA III with a 500W Amplifier, Extended Software is required.
When using a CBA IV with a 500W Amplifier, Standard or Extended Software will provide provisions for operation
with amplifiers for testing at high discharge rates or doing destructive testing.
CBA HR
Specifically designed to test and evaluate small cells and batteries – those capable of supplying quite low
discharge currents. Such small cells must be evaluated using even greater measurement precision than what
is capable with CBA IV model. Designed to precisely test virtually any small size battery, any chemistry or
