West Mountain Radio CBA V User manual

www.westmountainradio.com
1020 Spring City Drive
Waukesha, WI 53186
262-522-6503
[email protected]
©2021 West Mountain Radio, All rights reserved. All trademarks are
the property of their respective owners.
CBA V

Accessory Port for the stand-
alone temperature probe
USB Port - connect
CBA to PC
Powerpoles - use
pigtail adapter to
connect to battery
25A Fuse - use
Fuse Puller to
replace
Status
LED
see Pg 7
Remote
Sense Cable
Use the 2
right pins for
temperature

3
West Mountain Radio Operating Manual
Introduction
Thank you for choosing the West Mountain Radio CBA. It takes the guesswork
out of using batteries and it will help you learn about batteries.
The CBA is much more than a simple battery voltage tester or a battery load tester.
The CBA will test virtually any type or size of battery, any chemistry or number of
cells, with modest limits on voltage and discharge current. Now anyone can do
scientic tests of their batteries for a reasonable price.
The CBA V is capable of tests up to a maximum of either 40 ams at lower voltages
or 150 watts continuous at higher voltages. When using an optional amplier,
tests can be done at 500 watts. Ampliers can be used in parallel for higher power
discharges.
The CBA not only tests the total amount of energy stored in a battery (capacity in
amp-hours) but it graphically displays and charts the voltage versus time using a
constant current load. Graphs may be displayed, saved and printed and the axis
parameters can be changed at anytime. Multiple test graphs of the same battery,
or multiple batteries, may be compared or overlaid; a very useful feature.
The CBA is ruggedly built and supplied with 45 Amp Powerpole® connectors
for the battery connection. It is small with a high performance cooling system
and quiet fan. It is provided with LED indicators, visible from across a room, that
display communication and test status.
The software supplied with the CBA, is easy to use and intuitive. It provides
automatic sensing of the battery cell count, a safety check of the test rate, and
recommends a minimum safe discharge voltage. It is designed to protect both the
CBA and the batteries being tested. Test proles may be edited or recalled by the
user.
The optional Extended Software license provides all the features of the standard
version, but adds a number of advanced features. The Extended Software version
also adds the ability to graph the battery temperature with when the optional temp
probe is connected.
Package Contents
The following is a list of the contents for the CBA IV. Verify that all the following
items were included:
• CBA Computerized Battery Analyzer Unit
• USB Cable
• 6” Pigtail Adapter (Battery-to-CBA)
• Spare 25-Amp Fuse
• Fuse Puller
• Remote Sense Cable (supplied with Pro units only)
• CD of CBA Standard Software
• User’s Manual
INTRODUCTION

4
West Mountain Radio Operating Manual
Safety Precautions
The West Mountain Radio CBA is inherently safe but the batteries it tests are
not. Anything that stores energy is potentially dangerous! Some types of batteries
are safer than others but they are all capable of causing explosions or res.
For technical information on a battery, refer to the Battery Manufacturers website to
get detailed information on the rating of the battery. Most battery labels have limited
information, but the manufacturer’s website may have more detailed information.
General Information on batteries is also available on the West Mountain Radio
CD.
Primary Safety Considerations:
• Never discharge a battery at a higher discharge rate than it is designed for.
• Never use a battery that has poorly insulated or frayed wiring or exposed
metal parts.
• Never connect a battery with reverse polarity.
• Never test a battery near ammable materials.
• Never allow a battery reach a temperature that causes it to get so hot that it
may be too hot to touch, or battery case softens or fumes.
• Recharge the batteries immediately with an appropriate battery charger after
the test is complete. Some types do not like to sit discharged for extended
periods of time.
• Never test or charge your batteries while unattended.
• Have a re extinguisher nearby.
• Never connect a battery with the polarity reversed!
• Always connect the USB cable BEFORE connecting the battery!
• Do not connect a battery to the CBA that is connected to something else
unless an isolated USB hub is used.
• If using a USB HUB, make sure it is a powered hub. That means it will have a
separate power connection to the hub so it can fully power the CBA.
• Operate the CBA in a cool dry location.
• Never allow ngers, metal parts or wiring of the battery come in contact with
the metal heat sink.
• Never allow the cooling fan to be blocked or jammed.
• Do not ignore the warnings that the software may report.
• The CBA can get hot. Do not touch the metal heat sink while, or shortly after,
conducting a high power test.

5
West Mountain Radio Operating Manual
Liability Disclaimer
West Mountain Radio will not be liable (whether under the law of contract, the
law of torts or otherwise) in relation to the contents of, or use of, or otherwise in
connection with, the CBA (“product”):
• To the extent that the product may cause any bodily or equipment damage;
• For any indirect, special or consequential loss of any kind;
• For any business losses, loss of revenue, income, prots or anticipated
savings, loss of contracts or business relationships, loss of reputation or
goodwill, or loss or corruption of information or data.
By using this product, you agree to the limitations of liability set forth in this
disclaimer are reasonable.
Lead Acid Battery Safety Warnings:
These batteries, especially automotive and marine types, give o󰀨 explosive
hydrogen gas when charged. A nearby or internal spark or ame can cause
a lead acid battery to explode sending liquid acid and lead shrapnel in all
directions. This is particularly dangerous and frequently causes blindness or
severe scarring injuries.
Never use a standard lead acid battery in a non-ventilated container. Sealed
lead acid batteries such as gelled or AGM (absorbed glass mat) types are much
safer.
Never make the last connection to a lead acid battery causing a spark on the
terminal. Always connect the load or charger last, and at a safe distance away
from the battery.
NiCad, NiMh, and Alkaline Safety Warnings:
These batteries can be dangerous also. If they are shorted out, or charged or
discharged at too high a rate, they can overheat and explode. A single D size
NiCad cell can actually melt a 10 penny nail; DO NOT TRY THIS!
Lithium Safety Warnings:
Reprinted with permission of the Academy of Model Aeronautics
Words in bold and ( ) were added by West Mountain Radio
Lithium Battery Fires
Lithium batteries are becoming very popular for powering the control and power
systems in our models. This is true because of their very high energy density
(amp-hrs/wt. ratio) compared to NiCads or other batteries. High energy comes
with increased risk in their use. The, principal, risk is FIRE which can result
from improper charging, crash damage, or shorting the batteries. All vendors of
these batteries warn their customers of this danger and recommend extreme
caution in their use. In spite of this many res have occurred as a result of the
use of Lithium Polymer batteries, resulting in loss of models, automobiles, and
other property. Homes and garages and workshops have also burned. A lithium
battery re is very hot (several thousand degrees) and is an excellent initiator
for ancillary (resulting) res. Fire occurs due to contact between Lithium and
SAFETY & WARNINGS

6
West Mountain Radio Operating Manual
oxygen in the air. It does not need any other source of ignition, or fuel to start,
and burns almost explosively.
These batteries must be used in a manner that precludes ancillary re. The
following is recommended:
• Store, and charge (discharge), in a reproof container; never in your
model.
• Charge (discharge), in a protected area devoid of combustibles. Always
stand watch over the charging (discharging), process. Never leave the
charging process unattended.
• In the event of damage from crashes, etc, carefully remove to a safe place
for at least a half hour to observe. Physically damaged cells could erupt
into ame, and, after su󰀩cient time to ensure safety, should be discarded
in accordance with the instructions which came with the batteries. Never
attempt to charge (discharge) a cell with physical damage, regardless
of how slight.
• Always use chargers designed for the specic purpose, preferably having a
xed setting for your particular pack. Many res occur in using selectable/
adjustable chargers improperly set. Never attempt to charge Lithium cells
with a charger which is not specically designed for charging Lithium cells.
Never use chargers designed for Nickel Cadmium batteries.
• Use charging systems that monitor and control the charge state of each cell
in the pack. Unbalanced cells can lead to disaster if it permits overcharge
of a single cell in the pack. If the batteries show any sign of swelling,
discontinue charging, and remove them to a safe place outside as they
could erupt into ames.
• Most important: NEVER PLUG IN A BATTERY AND LEAVE IT TO CHARGE
(DISCHARGE), UNATTENDED OVERNIGHT. Serious res have resulted
from this practice.
• Do not attempt to make your own battery packs from individual cells. These
batteries CANNOT be handled and charged casually such as has been the
practice for years with other types of batteries. The consequence of this
practice can be very serious resulting in major property damage and/ or
personal harm.
The CBA is been supplied with a 25 amp fuse installed to give better protection
from an inadvertent reverse polarity connection, shorting the heat sink to the
battery or having external connections that cause ground loop shorts. A fuse is
partial protection, as the 25 amp fuse usually blows before damaging the internal
electronics. It depends on the voltage and source impedance but ultimately
time. Included is a spare 25 amp fuse packed separately.
The CBA V can be used with a 40 amp fuse for larger discharges in accordance
with the specications. Do not use the 40 Amp fuse unless planning to test a
battery in excess of 25 amps discharge. At higher voltages 25 amp is the most
the CBA can handle. It can handle up to a 40 amp discharge at 1.5 volts.

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West Mountain Radio Operating Manual
CBA V Connections
(See Diagram on inside front cover)
USB Port
This is the connection to a PC for power and data. Make sure the PC is set to
never power down the USB port, so tests are not interrupted.
Accessory Port
This port is for future CBA modules or for the stand-alone temperature probe.
If using the remote voltage sense cable, it includes the temperature probe. Do
not use the stand-alone probe if using the remote sensing cable. With the
standard software, the temperature probe is used to abort a test if the battery
gets too hot. With Extended software the temperature can be graphed with the
voltage on the screen. Notice from the above diagram the two pins that need to
be used for the stand-alone probe
Remote Sense
This is an optional cable to separately detect the battery voltage. When running
a high current discharge test, there is a resistance across the cable. That
means the voltage at the battery is not the same as the voltage at the CBA. The
remote sense cable will allow the CBA to read the actual battery voltage. This
is important for the exact test termination time. The remote sense cable also
has a temperature sensor that can be attached to the outside of the battery to
terminate a test in case of over heat. The Extended software also allows for
charting the temperature.
Status LED
Blinking Green Connected to PC, Driver found, Software NOT running
Solid Green Connected to PC, Driver found, Software running
Solid Orange Test running
Blinking Red Fuse blown. This can also happen if the remote sense cable is con-
nected to the battery, but the primary battery cable is not connected.
Solid Red High Temp Test Abort
Blinking Orange Connected to PC, Driver not found
Fast Red Flashing Internal self test error
Off No power to CBA (check USB cable and port)
Fuse
To protect the CBA, use the smallest fuse necessary. This is a standard ATC
automotive fuse. A fuse puller was included with the CBA.
Battery Connector
The connector is a 45 amp Anderson Powerpole connector. A pigtail adaptor is
included with the CBA to help interfacing to a battery. The West Mountain Radio
website has numerous pre-made cables to go from this connector to other connector
types. This includes a laptop battery connector and adaptors for cylindrial cells. For
odd sized batteries, consider making an adaptor from an old charger.
CONNECTIONS

8
West Mountain Radio Operating Manual
Set-up & Installation
Perform the following steps for software installation and hardware set-up:
1. Insert CD into drive. If the auto-run does not start, browse the CD
and double-click the set-up program. Make sure this is done as an
Administrator.
2. Connect the CBA to the PC USB port using the supplied USB cable
before connecting a battery. At this ponit, the Green LED should be
ashing on the CBA. If it is not, the drivers may not have installed
correctly.
3. Start the West Mountain Radio CBA Standard software. At this point,
the Green LED should be solid green, indicating the software is in
communication with the CBA V.
4. If Extended software was purchased, click on TOOLS>CBA
DEVICE. Then click on the CBA the Extended license is for and
click on LICENSE. Enter the user’s name and key exactly as
supplied by West Mountain Radio.
5. Connect a battery (or power supply) for testing, making sure the
polarity is correct.
WARNING: BE CERTAIN THAT YOU HAVE THE POLARITY
CORRECT! FOR STANDARD CONVENTION: PLUS TO PLUS,
MINUS TO MINUS and RED TO PLUS, BLACK TO MINUS!
6. In the software, click on TEST, then NEW TEST.
7. To start a typical test, click on the DISCHARGE icon on the left side
of the screen and ll in the information about the battery. Most
important is to enter a minimum cut-o󰀨 voltage (such as 10.5V on a
12V battery) and a discharge rate. Click on SUGGEST for further
assitance.
8. Click on START to begin testing.
9. The test will continue until the test “Cuto󰀨 V” is reached. At that
point the test will automatically stop and the program will beep
and display “Test Complete”. Everything will return to the stopped
condition ready for another test or to save the le. Disconnect the
battery at this time.
WARNING: DO NOT LEAVE A BATTERY CONNECTED AFTER
TEST COMPLETES! LEAVING A BATTERY IN A DISCHARGED
STATE FOR PROLONGED PERIOD OF TIME COULD OVER
DISCHARGE AND DAMAGE THE BATTERY.

9
West Mountain Radio Operating Manual
Caution: This battery and the CBA may be HOT!
Software
Details on using the CBA software can be found in the Help area of the software.
A PDF of the entire Help File can be downloaded from the West Mountain Radio
website under SUPPORT>DOWNLOADS>CBA
The following is a summary of the CBA software tests:
Use of CBA without the GUI Software
For use of the CBA without the graphical software provided, download the API
from the West Mountain Radio website under Support>Downloads>CBA>API.
Capabilities:
The CBA has a command-line interface for use in batch les or from other programs
like LabView.
The CBA can also be controlled by user software using an API interace.
The CBA can be controlled using TTL serial commands sent to the accessory port
using the USB port only for power (PC-less).
SET-UP & INSTALLATION

10
West Mountain Radio Operating Manual
Computerized Battery
Analyzer Modes
Test Mode Why use this
test?
Standard
Software
Extended
Software Operation
Mission
Prole
•DenedPassand
Failparameters
•Operated
withoutdetailed
knowledgeofthe
test
 
Discharge
•Measuringand
analyzingbattery
capacity  
Dynamic
•Seehowabattery
orsupplyresponds
todifferentloads
•Noneedtostopor
editthetestthatis
running
 
Charge
Monitor
•Graphsvoltage
versustime
•Logandgrapha
batteryorsupply
•Logvoltageof
thebatteryas
itischarged
 
Power
Prole
•Characterizing
differentpower
suppliesand
solarcells
•Determinethe
maximumpower
theycanprovide
 
Charge /
Discharge
•Performlife
cycletestof
thebattery(see
howits’capacity
reactsafteruser
speciednumber
ofdischarge/
chargecycles)
 
Duty
Cycle
•Evaluatethe
performanceof
abatteryinan
applicationwhich
typicallyinvolvesa
cyclicorvariable
dutycycle

Constant
Power
•Te s t batteriesthat
areusedin
systems
whichrequire
consistentpower

Multiple
Discharge
•Te s t battery
applicationsthat
experiencea
varietyofdifferent
currentloads

Constant
Resistance
•Simulatea
constant
resistanceloadon
abattery

Timed
Discharge
•Dischargethe
batterytoa
certaincapacity
•i.e.aLithium
batterythatneeds
tobe
at30%charge
beforeshipping

*ThistestrequirestheWest
MountainRadioCBACharge
Controller(purchased
separately)

11
West Mountain Radio Operating Manual
Troubleshooting
LED does not light on CBA • Make sure both USB cables ends are in
securely
• If a USB hub is used make sure it is a pow-
ered HUB
• Make sure the PC power settings have not
powered down the USB port
• Try another USB port
• CBA unit might be damaged
Blinking orange LED Check the device manager to see if there is a
driver error agged by Windows. If the CBA is
not listed in the USB section check the “other
devices” and “unknown devices” sections. Try
re-installing the software.
Red ashing LED
and/or
No or very low voltage shows
on the right side of the screen
after a battery is connected.
• Verify cable from CBA PowerPoles to battery
• Replace the fus
Test stops as fast as it start • Verify when the test is not running that the
voltage shows right (if not see above)
• Verify the test stop criteria is as expected
• Expand the chart and if the voltage drops
very fast you may be setting the current draw
too high for the battery
During a test, noise appears
on the chart
• As battery contacts heat up due to high cur-
rent the metal changes size and can cause
resistance changes.
• Tighten contacts that can be tightened
• Clean contacts that can be cleaned using
alcohol.
• If there is vibration in the environment put
CBA, cables and battery on a cushioned mat.
• Ensure cables that are crimped were properly
crimped.
During a test, the test abruptly
stops going to 0 volts.
• If the voltage is right when a test is not run-
ning this is due to the resistance of the bat-
tery cable. Solutions:
• Use the remote sense cable to get an accu-
rate reading
• Use the extended software to calibrate the
cable by accounting for the resistance.
• Use a heavier CBA to battery cable
TROUBLESHOOTING

12
West Mountain Radio Operating Manual
Current draw seems 10 (or
20,40...) times smaller than it
should be.
If a CBA Amp (large unit almost the size of a
car battery) is not being used, make sure NO
AMPLIPHIERS is selected in the test setup.
Current draw seems 10 (or
20,40...) times larger than it
should be.
Make sure in the test setup the right number of
ampliers are selected.
Current readings are not ac-
curate when compared to a
external current meter
If the error percentage is outside the specica-
tions then the unit may need to come back to
West Mountain Radio for a re-calibration
Rapidly ashing red LED The CBA needs to come back to West Moun-
tain Radio for repair
Other problems or for more
help with one of the above
See the SUPPORT section in this manual for
help contacting support or for sending units to
West Mountain Radio
Support
If you cannot nd the answer to a question about using the CBA here in this
manual and help les, you may get help several other ways.
Web Support: http://www.westmountainradio.com/supportcba.htm
Email: [email protected]
Phone: [phone] x32
Fax: [phone]
Mail: West Mountain Radio
1020 Spring City Drive
Waukesha, WI 53186 USA
If you have a problem with your computer or USB port, contact the computer
manufacturer.
If you have a problem with your computer’s Windows operating system contact
the computer manufacturer if Windows came pre-installed when you purchased
the computer.
If you purchased a copy of Windows and put it in your computer you should
contact Microsoft directly.
If you have a problem with a battery or a product you are using with it, contact
that manufacturer or supplier.
If you need to send your unit in for Repair or Recalibration, please make the
request on the West Mountain Radio website by clicking on Support>Return/
Repair (http://www.westmountainradio.com/rma)

13
West Mountain Radio Operating Manual
Maximum continuous
discharge (at ambient
75°F)
1.5V 60W
3V 80W
6V 120W
9V & up 150W
Short term maximum
discharge
200W
Example: 12V / 200W 1 minute max
Discharge current range 0.01A to 40A
Current Accuracy Typical Max
Standard CBA V
0.01A-1.5A +/-25ma +/-75ma
1.5-40A +/-2% +/-5%
CBA V Pro
0.01A-1.5A +/-3ma +/-7ma
1.5-40A +/-0.5% +/-1%
Voltage Accuracy At CBA V connector: +/-1%
-Remote sense cable: +/-1%
Voltage range for bat-
tery under test
CBA-V & CBA-V-Pro: 1V to 57V
CBA-V-Pro-100: 1V to 100V
Sample rate:
Standard software: 1 Second
Extended software: 50ms to 10 minutes
Residual current drain
while battery is connect-
ed and not testing
Rough estimate:
Current in ma = 0.27*
Voltage - 0.25
For example 2.35ma at 12V
Maximum temperature
for a full load
Ambient: 75°F
Heat Sink: 140°F
Internal: 205°F
PC Windows 32 or 64 bit OS
4 GB memory minimum
8 GB or more recommended
USB port with full power (500ma)
Dimensions 3.5”H x 2.8”W x 3.6”D
Weight 16 oz
Specications
SPECIFICATIONS

14
West Mountain Radio Operating Manual
CBA V Warranty
CBA V is warranted against failure due to defects in workmanship or
materials for one year after the date of purchase from West Mountain
Radio. Warranty does not cover damage caused by abuse, accident,
misuse, improper or abnormal usage, failure to follow instructions,
improper installation, alteration, lightning, or other incidence of excessive
voltage or current. If failure occurs within this period, return the CBA V
or accessory to West Mountain Radio at your shipping expense. The
device or accessory will be repaired or replaced, at our option, without
charge, and returned to you at our shipping expense. Repaired or
replaced items are warranted for the remainder of the original warranty
period. You will be charged for repair or replacement of the CBA V or
accessory made after the expiration of the warranty period.
West Mountain Radio shall have no liability or responsibility to customer
or any other person or entity with respect to any liability, loss, or damage
caused directly or indirectly by use or performance of the products or
arising out of any breach of this warranty, including, but not limited to,
any damages resulting from inconvenience, loss of time, data, property,
revenue, or profit, or any indirect, special incidental, or consequential
damages, even if West Mountain Radio has been advised of such damages.
Except as provided herein, West Mountain Radio makes no express
warranties and any implied warranties, including fitness for a particular
purpose, are limited in duration to the stated duration provided herein.
www.westmountainradio.com
1020 Spring City Drive, Waukesha, WI 53186
tel [phone] fax [phone]