updated 12/11/12
Rechargeable Battery Laboratory
You have accepted a position as an engineer in the Antarctic. Since you will not be able
to receive supplies for months at a time, it has been decided to use rechargeable batteries to
power devices. You have been asked to determine which battery brand and charge method will
work best for a digital instrument that will be used twenty-four hours a day. This instrument is a
high current load device that requires a near constant voltage source to function properly.
Traditional batteries (alkaline) have been ruled out, as mentioned above, due to their high cost
and in this case, difficulty, of replacement. Below is a test procedure that simulates your
instrument as it discharges your power source, NiMH rechargeable batteries.
Also, you have found a relatively cheap battery charger that can charge 8 batteries in both
a fast or slow method. You will have to demonstrate why either a large reserve of batteries is
justified for using the slow charging method or why many chargers will be needed to keep a few
batteries charged constantly using the fast charge method. Since you have a limited budget you
need to decide which combination of battery and charging method provide the best life/cost ratio.
Lab 1 Experimental Design
Factor:
Levels:
Charge
Fast (15-30 min)
Method
Slow (4-5 hours)
Lab 2 Experimental Design
Factors:
Levels:
Charge
Fast (15-30min)
Method
Slow (4-5hours)
Brand
Rayovac
Energizer
Please follow the steps of a typical engineering experiment and:
1. Formulate a hypothesis
2. Determine factors & levels & response variable
3. List uncontrolled variables and discuss methods to minimize effects
4. Develop, conduct, and describe a test plan using the designated test equipment
5. Determine what statistical analysis will be used, analyze the data and present the results
using tables and graphs
6. Draw conclusions and make a recommendation based on the scenario (business venture,
what is the best combination of performance per $$, etc.)
7. Prepare an oral PowerPoint presentation summarizing the previous steps
 READ AND USE the “Oral Presentation Guidelines” file on the course website for
presentation content, tips, etc.
 REVIEW the “Oral Presentation Grading Form”, file on the course website for
content that will be graded in your presentation.
 Teams presentations will be made as scheduled on the class calendar posted on the
Senior Lab Schedule.
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Experimental setup
USB
6008
CH0
CH1
CH2
CH3
CH4
CH5
CH6
CH7
Procedure
1. Plug the USB data-acquisition card into a USB port on the front of the LabStation
computer. A green light should begin blinking on the USB data-acquisition card.
2. Open the NI Measurement and Automation Explorer (MAX) software. On the left side
of the screen within the Devices and Interfaces tree, a NI USB-6008 device should be
listed. Make sure this device is labeled as “Dev2,” and if it is not, re-label it to be
“Dev2” (right click on the deviceRename). This is necessary for the LabVIEW
program to work properly.
3. Open a LabView program called Battery Tester located in
● Desktop
● ITLL Documentation
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●
ITLL Modules
● Senior Lab Modules
● Rechargeable Battery Lab
● Shortcut to Battery Tester
4. Next quickly connect all 8 batteries of the same type to the battery console.
Be sure that all batteries are COMPLETELY set in their respective battery holders.
(Rolling the batteries a few degrees gives better results due to more uniform contact
areas.) Now click the run button in the program window.
5. Collect data for the next 20-40 minutes until ALL the batteries have reached their
dropping point in their voltage.
6. Press stop in the program window and save your data.
7. Wait approximately 10 minutes for the resistors to cool back to room temperature before
starting other sets of batteries.
8. Repeat.
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