Method and apparatus for testing and charging a power source

Abstract

A method of charging batteries, having the steps of entering information corresponding to a battery to be charged into a battery charger; performing a first heavy load test before performing a micro-load test on the battery; and determining a condition of the battery to determine whether the battery can be charged based upon the heavy load test. This method provides a way to safely and efficiently test the battery.

1 . A method of charging batteries, comprising the steps of: 
 entering information corresponding to a battery to be charged into a battery charger;    performing a first heavy load test on the battery before performing a micro-load test on the battery; and    determining a condition of the battery to determine whether the battery can be charged based upon the heavy load test.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of calculating a maximum charge time for the battery based on the first heavy load test.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of charging the battery up to the maximum charge time based on the first heavy load test.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising the steps of: 
 charging the battery for one minute; and    recording charging voltage.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the step of discarding the battery if recorded charging voltage is less than 1 volt.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising the steps of: 
 charging the battery for nine minutes; and    recording charging current every minute.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the step of discarding the battery if the charging current at the end of nine minutes is less than 3 amps.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising the steps of: 
 charging the battery up to the maximum charge time; and    applying a second heavy load test on the battery to determine whether the battery accepts charge.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the second heavy load test comprises: 
 applying a first heavy load for a first preset time;    waiting a second preset time;    applying a second heavy load for a third preset time; and    determining the condition of the battery.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the steps of: 
 measuring a cold cranking amps (“CCA”) value by applying the micro-load test to the battery;    determining the condition of the battery based upon the CCA value; and    completing charging of the battery.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of discarding the battery if the CCA value is less than or equal to 70% of a rated CCA value.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of performing a second heavy load test before the micro-load test.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of determining if clamps are connected to the battery.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first heavy load test comprises: 
 applying a first load to the battery and releasing the first load after a first prescribed time;    measuring a first battery voltage after the first prescribed time;    measuring a bounce back voltage at a second prescribed time after the first prescribed time;    applying a second load to the battery and releasing the second load after a third prescribed time; and    measuring a second battery voltage after the third prescribed time.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of determining whether a bounce back voltage is less than or greater than 12.6 volts.  
   
   
       16 . A battery charger, comprising: 
 means for entering information corresponding to a battery to be charged into a battery charger;    means for performing a first heavy load test on the battery before means for performing a micro-load test on the battery; and    means for determining a condition of the battery to determine whether the battery can be charged based upon the heavy load test.    
   
   
       17 . The battery charger of  claim 16 , further comprising means for calculating a maximum charge time for the battery based on the first heavy load test.  
   
   
       18 . The battery charger of  claim 17 , further comprising means for charging the battery up to the maximum charge time based on the first heavy load test.  
   
   
       19 . The battery charger of  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 means for charging the battery up to the maximum charge time; and    means for applying a second heavy load test on the battery to determine whether the battery accepts charge.    
   
   
       20 . The battery charger of  claim 19 , wherein the second heavy load test comprises: 
 means for applying a first heavy load for a first preset time;    means for waiting a second preset time;    means for applying a second heavy for a third preset time; and    means for determining the condition of the battery.    
   
   
       21 . The battery charger of  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 means for measuring a cold cranking amps (“CCA”) value by applying the micro-load test to the battery;    means for determining the condition of the battery based upon the CCA value;    means for completing charging of the battery.    
   
   
       22 . The battery charger of  claim 16 , further comprising means for performing a second heavy load test before the micro-load test.