[rescue] NiMH Batteries, test outside computer?

[James]

You can poke with a voltmeter without worry. An ammeter is another story.

Often on laptops multiple contacts on the batteries will be connected 
together. Also, you might find that there is a "center tap" on the batts to 
give multiple voltages.

Perhaps the best "easy" test is to charge them, measure them, then let them 
sit for a week and measure again. Voltages should be around 90% of the 
"just charged" voltages.

The true test of a battery is under load. You could disassemble the laptop 
and measure voltages when booting. Some chemistry allows a battery to show 
a good voltage until you actually pull something from it.

good luck.

At 01:04 AM 10/21/02 -0700, you wrote:
>Can anyone offer any pointers for testing batteries
>outside of the computer that uses them?
>
>I have several NiMH batteries for these Duos that I am
>working on.  The Duos will not boot if they perceive the
>installed battery as "bad".  I am going to try the trick
>of resetting the power manager on the Duos to see if that
>helps them recognize the batteries.
>
>However, I was wondering if anyone could suggest how I
>would go about testing these outside the computer to
>verify their status.  I have the specs (Amh and full-charge
>V) for the batteries.  Do I need to track down specs for
>the contacts on the batteries before I start poking
>around with a voltmeter?
>
>I've got some "intro to electronics" books lying around
>(one of the many things I haven't gotten to), so a basic
>statement of what steps would be appropriate will
>probably push me onto the right path.
>
>Thanks--
>=Nadine=
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