What is a battery cycler?
Rechargeable (secondary) batteries in real-world applications are charged and discharged many times until they reach end of life. Examples of this are batteries used in cell phones, PCs, power tools and automotive applications. After multiple charge/discharge cycles, cell performance starts to degrade. The batteries typically require charging more frequently until eventually they reach end of life and need to be replaced, with the original cells either being scrapped or repurposed.
High performance battery cyclers enable tests to be reliably and accurately run using highly repeatable test sequences, enabling comparison between different battery chemistries and materials. Cycling tests may be performed over long time periods to validate battery lifetime performance or may even be accelerated using higher test levels than experienced in the real-world applications.
High performance battery cyclers typically provide multiple different test capabilities including CC-CV (constant current, constant voltage), CP constant power, CR constant resistance, CV cyclic voltammetry plus a range of fast pulse and voltage/current ramp tests. High level systems also include advanced diagnostic techniques including EIS (impedance spectroscopy), differential capacity and arbitrary waveform (Urban Profile).
Stand-alone battery cyclers allow cycler modules to be positioned where they are needed, close to cell fixtures or climate chambers. This reduces system cost as cabinets and long cables are not required. Test monitoring can be via local PCs or by PCs located anywhere on the network. In addition, high-power tests can be run with lower power losses and increased accuracy due to shorter cables. Stand-alone capable models include SI-9300R-SA and SI-6200.
Recent advances in battery cycler systems enable fast data rates to be enabled on all channels enabling detailed diagnosis of pulse or arbitrary waveform data. The most advanced systems allow unlimited Urban Profiles with very fast millisecond sequencing of applied levels.
System reliability is a major concern for users of battery cycler equipment and innovation in this area includes use of direct data storage from cycler to disk without need for PC intervention. This technology enables truly autonomous cycling and dramatically increases reliability of test systems by ensuring that even if a PC crashes, it has no effect on the cyclers that are running test sequences – tests continue without data loss.