Help modifying a diy capacity tester to work with series cells and higher current

Thread Starter

bigjoncoop

Joined Feb 1, 2019
185
Ive built a large amount of these diy 3x 18650 capacity testers I found on Instructables. They work great. Pcb Design and code has no problems.

Ive been looking for a simple diy load tester to use with 2s-7s battery packs, when it dawned on me that maybe I could Simply modify One of these capacity testers....

Im not good with programming but the arduino code seems like it should work without much modification... Besides setting the appropriate cut off voltage. the only other problem that I see is the voltage dividers on A0, A1, A2 would have to be changed.

basically my first question is what resistor values would I need to use for the voltage dividers in order to use higher voltage batteries and if anything in the code also have to be changed? ideally I would like to be able to test 2's batteries in one slot, 4s in another and 7s in the third. not all at once but have it set up so if I want to test a 2s or 4S or 7s I would attach it to the appropriate spot.

Also in its current configuration, how much current can it handle? I normally just use a 4ohm power resistor to capacity test 18650's.

so if someone could please advise me on the appropriate resistor values for the voltage dividers and if anything in the code needs to be modified for this to work I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank You

* ive had this question posted on a couple Arduino forums for a month or so and not 1 reply ...

below I have attached the schematic and code for the Arduino
F7JFQXDJOONQ9M9.png

Code:
#include <LiquidCrystal_I2C.h>
#include <SPI.h>
LiquidCrystal_I2C lcd(0x3F, 16, 2);
#define M1 5
#define M2 4
#define M3 3
#define D1 10
#define D2 9
#define D3 8
#define BUZZER 7
#define B1_high A0
#define B2_high A1
#define B3_high A2
#define Button 2

int buttonState = 0;
int printStart = 0;
int interval = 5000;  // Measurement Interwal (ms)
float battLow = 2.8;   // End of measurement - voltage level
float voltRef = 4.37;  // Reference voltage (pin 5V)

int l=0;
boolean finished1 = false;
boolean finished2 = false;
boolean finished3 = false;

float mAh1 = 0;
float mAh2 = 0;
float mAh3 = 0;
int poj1 = 0;
int poj2 = 0;
int poj3 = 0;
float R1 = 4;  // Resistor R1 value [Ohm]
float RB1 = 4.1; // Measured B1 circuit resistance [Ohm]
float R2 = 4;  // Resistor R1 value [Ohm]
float RB2 = 4.1; // Measured B2 circuit resistance [Ohm]
float R3 = 4;  // Resistor R1 value [Ohm]
float RB3 = 4.1; // Measured B3 circuit resistance [Ohm]
float current1 = 0.0;
float current2 = 0.0;
float current3 = 0.0;
float B1start = 0.0;
float B2start = 0.0;
float B3start = 0.0;
float B1V1 = 0.0;  // voltage before R1
float B2V1 = 0.0;  // voltage before R2
float B3V1 = 0.0;  // voltage before R3
float Rw1 = 0;
float Rw2 = 0;
float Rw3 = 0;
float roznica1 = 0;
float roznica2 = 0;
float roznica3 = 0;
float suma1 = 0;
float suma2 = 0;
float suma3 = 0;
float X1 = 2; // voltage divider 1 ratio
float X2 = 2; // voltage divider 2 ratio
float X3 = 2; // voltage divider 3 ratio

int pomiar = 0;
int k;
boolean menu1_end = false;
boolean menu_end = false;
int mode = 0;

unsigned long previousMillis1 = 0;
unsigned long previousMillis2 = 0;
unsigned long previousMillis3 = 0;
unsigned long millisPassed1 = 0;
unsigned long millisPassed2 = 0;
unsigned long millisPassed3 = 0;

void setup() {

  lcd.init();
  lcd.backlight();
  pinMode(M1, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(M2, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(M3, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(D1, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(D2, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(D3, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(BUZZER, OUTPUT);
  digitalWrite(M1, LOW);
  digitalWrite(M2, LOW);
  digitalWrite(M3, LOW);
  digitalWrite(D1, LOW);
  digitalWrite(D2, LOW);
  digitalWrite(D3, LOW);
  menu();  // enter the menu
  lcd.print("Battery test");
  lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
  lcd.print("Please wait");
  delay(2000);
  B1start = X1 * analogRead(B1_high) * voltRef / 1024.0; // B1 voltage - no load applied
  B2start = X2 * analogRead(B2_high) * voltRef / 1024.0; // B2 voltage - no load applied
  B3start = X3 * analogRead(B3_high) * voltRef / 1024.0; // B3 voltage - no load applied
  lcd.clear();

  finished1 = false;
  finished2 = false;
  finished3 = false;
  digitalWrite(BUZZER, HIGH);
  delay(500);
  digitalWrite(BUZZER, LOW);

}

void loop() {

  if(mode == 1){
    test();
  }
  if(mode == 2){
    discharge();
  }
}
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
void discharge() {
  B1V1 = X1 * analogRead(B1_high) * voltRef / 1024.0; // B1 voltage
  B2V1 = X2 * analogRead(B2_high) * voltRef / 1024.0; // B2 voltage
  B3V1 = X3 * analogRead(B3_high) * voltRef / 1024.0; // B3 voltage

  if ((finished1 == true) && (finished2 == true) && (finished3 == true)) {
    if(l < 3){
      for (k = 0; k < 3; k++) {
        digitalWrite(BUZZER, HIGH);
        delay(200);
        digitalWrite(BUZZER, LOW);
        delay(200);
    }
      l++;
    }
  }

  if (B1V1 >= battLow && finished1 == false)
  {
    digitalWrite(M1, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(D1, HIGH);

    lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
    lcd.print("1:");
    lcd.print(B1V1);
    lcd.print("V");
  }
  if ((B1V1 < battLow) || (finished1 == true)) // Disconnects load, prints the result
  {
    digitalWrite(M1, LOW);

    finished1 = true;

    digitalWrite(D1, LOW);
    lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
    lcd.print("1:END");
  }

  if (B2V1 >= battLow && finished2 == false)
  {
    digitalWrite(M2, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(D2, HIGH);

    lcd.setCursor(9, 0);
    lcd.print("2:");
    lcd.print(B2V1);
    lcd.print("V");
  }
  if ((B2V1 < battLow) || (finished2 == true)) // Disconnects load, prints the result
  {
    digitalWrite(M2, LOW);

    finished2 = true;

    digitalWrite(D2, LOW);
    lcd.setCursor(9, 0);
    lcd.print("2:END");
  }

  if (B3V1 >= battLow && finished3 == false)
  {
    digitalWrite(M3, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(D3, HIGH);

    lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
    lcd.print("3:");
    lcd.print(B3V1);
    lcd.print("V");
  }
  if ((B3V1 < battLow) || (finished3 == true)) // Disconnects load, prints the result
  {
    digitalWrite(M3, LOW);

    finished3 = true;

    digitalWrite(D3, LOW);
    lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
    lcd.print("3:END     ");
  }
  delay(interval/4);
  digitalWrite(D1, LOW);
  digitalWrite(D2, LOW);
  digitalWrite(D3, LOW);
  delay(interval/4);
  lcd.clear();
}
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
void test(){
  B1V1 = X1 * analogRead(B1_high) * voltRef / 1024.0; // B1 voltage
  B2V1 = X2 * analogRead(B2_high) * voltRef / 1024.0; // B2 voltage
  B3V1 = X3 * analogRead(B3_high) * voltRef / 1024.0; // B3 voltage

  if ((finished1 == true) && (finished2 == true) && (finished3 == true)) {
    if(l < 3){
      for (k = 0; k < 3; k++) {
        digitalWrite(BUZZER, HIGH);
        delay(200);
        digitalWrite(BUZZER, LOW);
        delay(200);
    }
      l++;
    }
  }

  if (B1V1 >= battLow && finished1 == false)
  {
    digitalWrite(M1, HIGH);
    millisPassed1 = millis() - previousMillis1;
    current1 = (B1V1) / R1; // Current calculation
    mAh1 = mAh1 + (current1 * 1000.0) * (millisPassed1 / 3600000.0); // Capacity sum
    previousMillis1 = millis();


    if (pomiar > 0 && pomiar < 5) // 4 x voltage measurement
    {
      suma1 = suma1 + B1V1;
    }
    if (pomiar == 6)
    {
      suma1 = suma1 / 4;
      roznica1 = B1start / suma1;
      Rw1 = (roznica1 - 1) * RB1; // Internal resistance
    }

    digitalWrite(D1, HIGH);
    lcd.clear();
    lcd.home();
    lcd.print("U:");
    lcd.print(B1V1);
    lcd.print("V");
    lcd.setCursor(9, 0);
    lcd.print("I:");
    lcd.print(current1);
    lcd.print("A");
    lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
    poj1 = mAh1;
    lcd.print(poj1);
    lcd.print("mAh");
    if (pomiar > 6)
    {
      lcd.setCursor(9, 1);
      lcd.print("Rw:");
      lcd.print(Rw1);
    }
    pomiar++;
    delay(interval);
    digitalWrite(D1, LOW);
  }
  if ((B1V1 < battLow) || (finished1 == true)) // Disconnects load, prints the result
  {
    digitalWrite(M1, LOW);

    finished1 = true;

    digitalWrite(D1, HIGH);
    lcd.clear();
    lcd.home();
    lcd.print("1 - Koniec");
    lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
    poj1 = mAh1;
    lcd.print(poj1);
    lcd.print("mAh ");
    lcd.setCursor(8, 1);
    lcd.print("Rw1:");
    lcd.print(Rw1);

    delay(interval * 2);
    digitalWrite(D1, LOW);
  }

  if (B2V1 >= battLow && finished2 == false)
  {
    digitalWrite(M2, HIGH);
    millisPassed2 = millis() - previousMillis2;
    current2 = (B2V1) / R2; // Current calculation
    mAh2 = mAh2 + (current2 * 1000.0) * (millisPassed2 / 3600000.0); // Capacity sum
    previousMillis2 = millis();


    if (pomiar > 0 && pomiar < 5) // 4 x voltage measurement
    {
      suma2 = suma2 + B2V1;
    }
    if (pomiar == 6)
    {
      suma2 = suma2 / 4;
      roznica2 = B2start / suma2;
      Rw2 = (roznica2 - 1) * RB2; // Internal resistance
    }

    digitalWrite(D2, HIGH);
    lcd.clear();
    lcd.home();
    lcd.print("U:");
    lcd.print(B2V1);
    lcd.print("V");
    lcd.setCursor(9, 0);
    lcd.print("I:");
    lcd.print(current2);
    lcd.print("A");
    lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
    poj2 = mAh2;
    lcd.print(poj2);
    lcd.print("mAh");
    if (pomiar > 6)
    {
      lcd.setCursor(9, 1);
      lcd.print("Rw:");
      lcd.print(Rw2);
    }
    delay(interval);
    digitalWrite(D2, LOW);
  }
  if ((B2V1 < battLow) || (finished2 == true)) // Disconnects load, prints the result
  {
    digitalWrite(M2, LOW);

    finished2 = true;

    digitalWrite(D2, HIGH);
    lcd.clear();
    lcd.home();
    lcd.print("2 - Koniec");
    lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
    poj2 = mAh2;
    lcd.print(poj2);
    lcd.print("mAh ");
    lcd.setCursor(8, 1);
    lcd.print("Rw2:");
    lcd.print(Rw2);

    delay(interval * 2);
    digitalWrite(D2, LOW);
  }

  if (B3V1 >= battLow && finished3 == false)
  {
    digitalWrite(M3, HIGH);
    millisPassed3 = millis() - previousMillis3;
    current3 = (B3V1) / R3; // Current calculation
    mAh3 = mAh3 + (current3 * 1000.0) * (millisPassed3 / 3600000.0); // Capacity sum
    previousMillis3 = millis();


    if (pomiar > 0 && pomiar < 5) // 4 x voltage measurement
    {
      suma3 = suma3 + B3V1;
    }
    if (pomiar == 6)
    {
      suma3 = suma3 / 4;
      roznica3 = B3start / suma3;
      Rw3 = (roznica3 - 1) * RB3; // Internal resistance
    }

    digitalWrite(D3, HIGH);
    lcd.clear();
    lcd.home();
    lcd.print("U:");
    lcd.print(B3V1);
    lcd.print("V");
    lcd.setCursor(9, 0);
    lcd.print("I:");
    lcd.print(current3);
    lcd.print("A");
    lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
    poj3 = mAh3;
    lcd.print(poj3);
    lcd.print("mAh");
    if (pomiar > 6)
    {
      lcd.setCursor(9, 1);
      lcd.print("Rw:");
      lcd.print(Rw3);
    }
    delay(interval);
    digitalWrite(D3, LOW);
  }
  if ((B3V1 < battLow) || (finished3 == true)) // Disconnects load, prints the result
  {
    digitalWrite(M3, LOW);

    finished3 = true;

    digitalWrite(D3, HIGH);
    lcd.clear();
    lcd.home();
    lcd.print("3 - Koniec");
    lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
    poj3 = mAh3;
    lcd.print(poj3);
    lcd.print("mAh ");
    lcd.setCursor(8, 1);
    lcd.print("Rw3:");
    lcd.print(Rw3);

    delay(interval * 2);
    digitalWrite(D3, LOW);
  }
}
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

void menu(){
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0,0);
lcd.print("SELECT MODE");
lcd.setCursor(0,1);
lcd.print("<--CLICK");
while(menu1_end==false){
   while(digitalRead(Button) == LOW){}
      delay(800);
      if(digitalRead(Button) == HIGH){
        menu1_end = true;
        lcd.setCursor(0,0);
        if(mode == 1){lcd.print(">Mode: CAP TEST");}
        if(mode == 2){lcd.print(">Mode: DISCHARGE");}
      }
      else{
         if(mode==2){
          mode = 1;
        }
        else{
          mode++;
        }      
        lcd.clear();
        lcd.setCursor(0,0);
        if(mode == 1){lcd.print("Mode: CAP TEST");}
        if(mode == 2){lcd.print("Mode: DISCHARGE");}      
      }
    digitalWrite(D1, HIGH);
    delay(100);
    digitalWrite(D1, LOW);
}
while(menu_end==false){
   while(digitalRead(Button) == LOW){}
      delay(800);
      if(digitalRead(Button) == HIGH){
        menu_end = true;
        lcd.setCursor(0,1);
        lcd.print(">Low V: "); lcd.print(battLow); lcd.print("V");
      }
      else{
         if(battLow > 3.8){
          battLow = 2.9;
        }
        else{
          battLow = battLow+0.1;
        }      
        lcd.setCursor(0,1);
        lcd.print("Low V: "); lcd.print(battLow); lcd.print("V");    
      }
    digitalWrite(D2, HIGH);
    delay(100);
    digitalWrite(D2, LOW);
    }
delay(2000);
lcd.clear();
}
Also here is a link to paste bin.
https://pastebin.pl/view/b910326f
 
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