Meg Battery Pack Tests

Parker · 30th March 2008, 23:39

Here's a chart comparing a 9v Alkaline battery pack (two 9v batteries paralleled) to a AA Ind Alkaline pack. I'm also attaching files with the time/voltage breakdown for each pack for your reading pleasure. They are "very" long so check the number of pages before hitting the print button.

The comparison was made using a constant 150mA test current from a max voltage down to 4.5v for each pack. This is "only" a comparison and does not indicate actual battery pack life in a Meg, although it may be close depending on the user!

Parker

Parker · 31st March 2008, 01:07

Here's the other test just to get it all in the same thread. I will add any future battery test to this thread also. I've attached a file containing the time/voltage breakdown of the Lithium AA pack, also "very" long!

Quote: (Originally Posted by Parker)

Alkaline AA vs. Lithium AA
Here's an interesting comparison of a Meg AA Energizer Industrial Alkaline and AA Energizer Lithium battery pack. I used a CBA II to make the comparison. The Alkaline AA 1.5v batteries are rated at 2850mA and the Lithium AA 1.5v batteries at 3000mA. The test current was 150mA constant. The Lithium battery pack voltage dropped off as expected around 6.5v so the pack would be dead prior to the handset backlight failure warning.

Note: There's not a battery chemistry setting on the CBA II software to support the 1.5v Lithium batteries so I used the Alkaline setting. The test Amps (150mA), cell voltage and test cutoff voltage was the same for both packs.

Attached Files

meg battery pack comparison.pdf (657.5 KB, 60 views)

Parker · 31st March 2008, 03:05

Here's a pic of the battery pack test lab- just so you guys know that I'm adhering to the highest possible testing standards and conditions!

mortenkjerulff · 31st March 2008, 07:17

Thanks!

mortenkjerulff · 31st March 2008, 07:25

The discharge curve of the parallel 9v batteries does not seem much steeper than the curve of the standard Meg battery pack.

Has anyone used the 9v batteries yet? Can they be used safely until the Meg gives a battery warning with this discharge curve?

Cheers
Morten

Quote: (Originally Posted by Parker)

Here's a chart comparing a 9v Alkaline battery pack (two 9v batteries paralleled) to a AA Ind Alkaline pack. I'm also attaching files with the time/voltage breakdown for each pack for your reading pleasure. They are "very" long so check the number of pages before hitting the print button.

The comparison was made using a constant 150mA test current from a max voltage down to 4.5v for each pack. This is "only" a comparison and does not indicate actual battery pack life in a Meg, although it may be close depending on the user!

Parker

Parker · 31st March 2008, 08:03

Quote: (Originally Posted by mortenkjerulff)

The discharge curve of the parallel 9v batteries does not seem much steeper than the curve of the standard Meg battery pack.

Has anyone used the 9v batteries yet? Can they be used safely until the Meg gives a battery warning with this discharge curve?

Cheers
Morten

Gilles is using them- he has some info on this thread:
Meg New Battery Option. Simple, Effective, and no welding
This is where I got the idea to test the 9v batteries.

The test data indicates that there is "only" a 30min window between 5.5v - 5.0v so you wouldn't have much time left after a battery warning appears. I'm sure Gilles can add to this since he has "real world" experience with the 9v batteries. All I know is what the CBA II data says and that it's a great idea for a backup battery pack that doesn't require welding or special assembly. But like Gilles states in his thread- "If you connect them in series ('+' with '-') you will create an 18V pack and you will fry

your electronics."

Parker

York · 31st March 2008, 08:03

Quote: (Originally Posted by Parker)

Here's a pic of the battery pack test lab- just so you guys know that I'm adhering to the highest possible testing standards and conditions!

It I were to repeat the test, I would not get similar results without the Heineken - got it!
How does the Heineken-depletion curve compare to those of the battery packs?
Regarding Test-conditions: I assume room-temperature -what was the temp of the Heineken though?

Excellent little project, thank you for sharing (green sent).

Joerg

Parker · 31st March 2008, 08:38

Quote: (Originally Posted by York)

It I were to repeat the test, I would not get similar results without the Heineken - got it!
How does the Heineken-depletion curve compare to those of the battery packs?
Regarding Test-conditions: I assume room-temperature -what was the temp of the Heineken though?

Excellent little project, thank you for sharing (green sent).

Joerg

Other quality beers can be used with similar results!

The Heineken-depletion curve varies, depending mostly on girlfriends mood.

Room temp for the batteries- 48*F/9*C for the Heineken.

I can see this beer thing splitting to another thread!

Gilles · 31st March 2008, 08:52

Quote: (Originally Posted by mortenkjerulff)

Has anyone used the 9v batteries yet? Can they be used safely until the Meg gives a battery warning with this discharge curve?

Cheers
Morten

I have so far only depleted one set of these to 7V (on the primary), and one other set on the secondary.

I've detailed the results on the above mentioned thread.

My diving is now curtailed by my International transfer/move. It might be awhile before I get wet again.

Quote: (Originally Posted by Parker)

Gilles is using them- he has some info on this thread:
Meg New Battery Option. Simple, Effective, and no welding
This is where I got the idea to test the 9v batteries.

The test data indicates that there is "only" a 30min window between 5.5v - 5.0v so you wouldn't have much time left after a battery warning appears. I'm sure Gilles can add to this since he has "real world" experience with the 9v batteries. All I know is what the CBA II data says and that it's a great idea for a backup battery pack that doesn't require welding or special assembly. But like Gilles states in his thread- "If you connect them in series ('+' with '-') you will create an 18V pack and you will fry

your electronics."

Parker

I so far recommend only depleting them to 7V (in the primary). This should take a good 6 hours of heavy duty (i.e. shallow no manual injection) operation.

Although they don't last that long, I like the predictable voltage depletion, and the ease of replacement. Once I get diving again. I'll be using these until I find a reason not to.

Have a blob for the good work Parker.

Parker · 31st March 2008, 19:46

Here's a chart comparing the C cell Lithium pack to the AA Alkaline pack. At the start of the test the Lithium pack took a nose dive to 5.4v but within 20sec. was back up to 6.Xv. The Lithium C cells didn't perform as well as I expected under a 150mA constant load. C cell pack life in the "real world" should be at least three times as long under similar conditions. The time/voltage breakdown (extremely long) is also included.

It's been fun but no more testing for a while- the battery pack bank is busted!

Now back to The Jr. Professor Mr. Meg Battery Pack Builder Kit to build more battery packs for my Meg

Parker

31st March 2008, 07:17	#4 (permalink)
mortenkjerulff Customise Me! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Denmark Posts: 137	Re: Meg Battery Pack Tests Thanks!
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31st March 2008, 07:25	#5 (permalink)
mortenkjerulff Customise Me! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Denmark Posts: 137	Re: Meg Battery Pack Tests The discharge curve of the parallel 9v batteries does not seem much steeper than the curve of the standard Meg battery pack. Has anyone used the 9v batteries yet? Can they be used safely until the Meg gives a battery warning with this discharge curve? Cheers Morten Quote: (Originally Posted by Parker) Here's a chart comparing a 9v Alkaline battery pack (two 9v batteries paralleled) to a AA Ind Alkaline pack. I'm also attaching files with the time/voltage breakdown for each pack for your reading pleasure. They are "very" long so check the number of pages before hitting the print button. The comparison was made using a constant 150mA test current from a max voltage down to 4.5v for each pack. This is "only" a comparison and does not indicate actual battery pack life in a Meg, although it may be close depending on the user! Parker
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31st March 2008, 08:03	#6 (permalink)
Parker what bubbles? Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Dolphin Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Home Build Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: USA Posts: 60	Re: Meg Battery Pack Tests Quote: (Originally Posted by mortenkjerulff) The discharge curve of the parallel 9v batteries does not seem much steeper than the curve of the standard Meg battery pack. Has anyone used the 9v batteries yet? Can they be used safely until the Meg gives a battery warning with this discharge curve? Cheers Morten Gilles is using them- he has some info on this thread: Meg New Battery Option. Simple, Effective, and no welding This is where I got the idea to test the 9v batteries. The test data indicates that there is "only" a 30min window between 5.5v - 5.0v so you wouldn't have much time left after a battery warning appears. I'm sure Gilles can add to this since he has "real world" experience with the 9v batteries. All I know is what the CBA II data says and that it's a great idea for a backup battery pack that doesn't require welding or special assembly. But like Gilles states in his thread- "If you connect them in series ('+' with '-') you will create an 18V pack and you will fry your electronics." Parker
(Online)

31st March 2008, 08:03	#7 (permalink)
York probubbly not Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bristol, UK Posts: 118	Re: Meg Battery Pack Tests Quote: (Originally Posted by Parker) Here's a pic of the battery pack test lab- just so you guys know that I'm adhering to the highest possible testing standards and conditions! It I were to repeat the test, I would not get similar results without the Heineken - got it! How does the Heineken-depletion curve compare to those of the battery packs? Regarding Test-conditions: I assume room-temperature -what was the temp of the Heineken though? Excellent little project, thank you for sharing (green sent). Joerg
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31st March 2008, 08:38	#8 (permalink)
Parker what bubbles? Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Dolphin Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Home Build Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: USA Posts: 60	Re: Meg Battery Pack Tests Quote: (Originally Posted by York) It I were to repeat the test, I would not get similar results without the Heineken - got it! How does the Heineken-depletion curve compare to those of the battery packs? Regarding Test-conditions: I assume room-temperature -what was the temp of the Heineken though? Excellent little project, thank you for sharing (green sent). Joerg Other quality beers can be used with similar results! The Heineken-depletion curve varies, depending mostly on girlfriends mood. Room temp for the batteries- 48F/9C for the Heineken. I can see this beer thing splitting to another thread!
(Online)

31st March 2008, 08:52	#9 (permalink)
Gilles Worship the feminine Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Den Haag (Netherlands) Posts: 762	Re: Meg Battery Pack Tests Quote: (Originally Posted by mortenkjerulff) Has anyone used the 9v batteries yet? Can they be used safely until the Meg gives a battery warning with this discharge curve? Cheers Morten I have so far only depleted one set of these to 7V (on the primary), and one other set on the secondary. I've detailed the results on the above mentioned thread. My diving is now curtailed by my International transfer/move. It might be awhile before I get wet again. Quote: (Originally Posted by Parker) Gilles is using them- he has some info on this thread: Meg New Battery Option. Simple, Effective, and no welding This is where I got the idea to test the 9v batteries. The test data indicates that there is "only" a 30min window between 5.5v - 5.0v so you wouldn't have much time left after a battery warning appears. I'm sure Gilles can add to this since he has "real world" experience with the 9v batteries. All I know is what the CBA II data says and that it's a great idea for a backup battery pack that doesn't require welding or special assembly. But like Gilles states in his thread- "If you connect them in series ('+' with '-') you will create an 18V pack and you will fry your electronics." Parker I so far recommend only depleting them to 7V (in the primary). This should take a good 6 hours of heavy duty (i.e. shallow no manual injection) operation. Although they don't last that long, I like the predictable voltage depletion, and the ease of replacement. Once I get diving again. I'll be using these until I find a reason not to. Have a blob for the good work Parker. __________________ Gilles http://www.dirrebreather.com Last edited by Gilles : 31st March 2008 at 08:54.
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