How to test/ store your battery?

[MotoNut]

Got a bunch of batteries for my CP series. Is there a way for me or my dealer to run a test on a battery and find out its condition and how many cycles it has done? Some charge but beep after coming off the charger. Does this just mean its dead or can I revive them by putting them on a trickle conditioner or similar?

Also what is the best method of putting the batteries to bed for a good 5+ months? I have charged them all up (Nickel & Lithium) and have run briefly for a minute or so they are not fully charged. I will also exercise them on occasions when I remember (once a fortnight maybe). Is all this about right?

[bw18]

Hi Motonut,

What you are doing sounds about right. Best way to store batteries is in a cool & dry place (sounds like a loaf of bread!). If you have them in a Peli case (which from memory you do), put the case somewhere in your office/home that remains at a decent room temp.

I have found batteries that are 3+ years old, totally flat... Charged them up over night and they have been fine! If they are dying straight after charging then yes, they have had it.

There are conditioner chargers out there... VERY expensive bits of kit from memory, most decent dealers have a fair few of their own though for their hire fleets. So if you want to get them conditioned have a chat with your dealer

Now Motorola have moved onto Impres technology (not on the CP series though I don't think) which basically conditions the battery and knows exactly how much 'juice' you have used and replaces just that much! All very clever stuff- but only on GP & TRBO.

BW

[MotoNut]

Thanks BW. Is there any way to find out how many cycles the batteries have done?

[bw18]

Not that I am aware of... I beleive Impres batteries tell you how many cycles the units have done.

If you had the batteries conditioned there may well be a benchmark indication of how many cycles they have done, but I very much doubt it will be overly accurate.

BW

[MotoNut]

Not that I am aware of... I beleive Impres batteries tell you how many cycles the units have done.

If you had the batteries conditioned there may well be a benchmark indication of how many cycles they have done, but I very much doubt it will be overly accurate.

BW

Cheers BW