Motive

Enoki used six Ni-MH batteries in series for a field test, and measured the batteries voltage before and after the test.

Summary

Comparing the result, Enoki has found that the individual voltage drop showed the relative deterioration among different brand batteries well.

経緯目的

6個直列のバッテリホルダを使用した実験において，その使用前後に個々の電池電圧を計った。

要約

劣化程度の違いが電圧降下により，よくわかる。

Deteriorated batteries use

Enoki reported Arduino UNO's working voltage and the consumption current before. The report concluded that DC-DC converter would work by two dry or Ni-MH batteries.

But if 2.5V of deteriorated Ni-MH batteries step up to 7V, they have to flow out more than 120 mA. Enoki thinks that they won't be able to afford 200 mA any more by charging current change.

So Enoki decided to drive it by six Ni-MH batteries in series.

Method

Photo1 shows UNO and the batteries in holder. Enoki soldered two leads of the holder to PWRIN jack terminal in inside of the board.

Enoki measured each battery voltage before and after the test by DMM PC510.

The sample brands were ReVoltes, Evolta and Eneloop.

Result

Figure1 shows the result. R1 and R3 mean ReVoltes which began using on 2017-01-18 and 2017-05-19 each.

E1 and E2 are Evolta that had already used on 2016-05-22. E11 and E22 are Eneloop.

Measuring date and time: 2020-04-10 15:05 through 17:25

Figure1 Voltage drop ratio

Nominal capacity

ReVoltes, Evolta and Eneloop nominal capacity are 1300, 1000 and 950 mAh each

But the nominal capacity might have been meaningless because of deterioration.

Usage experience

Eneloop ones are the oldest. Although Evolta are newer than Eneloop, Evolta have dropped than Eneloop this time.

It coincides Enoki's experience that drove XBees and TWEs module in Enoki's field test.

Simple but effective

If you don't know which one to pick up and dispose among them, connect a load in series holder. They will dissipate power and drop some voltage.

You will find deteriorated in order, as the load current is the same among them.

Active loader

Passive resistor is as usual for current dissipated loader. But power resistor is big and more expensive than common ones.

With active loader by transistor, you will adjust dissipated current easily.