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Discharging a 12V Lead Acid Battery

Heyas,

Can anyone recommend equipment to discharge a 12 volt lead acid battery down to specified level, as I don't want to have to use a series of light blubs :).

I realize this is isn't strictly IT related, but I thought I give it a shot.

Thank you.

Miguel Angel Perez Muñoz

There are some chargers with discharge capacity, I have one used to charge Lipo batteries but can charge/discharge lead/nimh/nicd/lipo/life batteries: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__6478__imax_b6_ac_charger_discharger_1_6_cells_genuine_.html

Darr247

I would use a battery load tester.
e.g. http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/SS02/44200/N0366.oap
Give it a minute or so to cool off between cycles. Typically the load is a high-wattage resistor with a heat sink on it.
Here's a cheaper one - http://www.harborfreight.com/100-amp-6-volt12-volt-battery-load-tester-69888-9191.html

Zack

ASKER

Thanks for the info.

Are there any Battery Testers out there that will continuously discharge a 12 volt lead acid battery down to specified level.

Thank you.

Darr247

Well, if you discharge Lead-Acid batteries much below 10 volts, the risk of killing a cell rises rapidly. At 10 volts there is still plenty of amperage left in it.

Miguel Angel Perez Muñoz

I don´t know about battery testers that do this, but voltage may not indicate how many change remains on battery, best way is use density meter like this: http://www.coleparmer.co.uk/Category/Battery_Test_Digital_Hydrometer_Density_Meter/53465

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kode99

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Darr247

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Zack

ASKER

Thanks the info I am buying those products as we speak :).