Abstract: An apparatus and a method of monitoring a battery in an automotive vehicle are provided. An output is provided which can be a relative output as a function of minimum and maximum parameters of the battery.

Abstract: A system for counteracting self-discharge in a storage battery is provided. The system includes a charge supply battery that provides a supply voltage. The system also includes a DC-DC converter circuit that has an input that electrically couples to the charge supply battery and an output that electrically couples to terminals of the storage battery. The DC-DC converter circuit provides a charging voltage at the output that has a magnitude greater than a magnitude of the supply voltage. The storage battery is a carbon battery.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a storage battery includes an input configured to select a printer protocol from a plurality of printer protocols. A memory contains a plurality of printer protocol selection commands. Each of the printer protocol selection commands corresponds with each of the printer protocols. A processor is coupled to the input and the memory such that the processor can retrieve one of the plurality of printer protocol selection commands that corresponds to the selected printer protocol. A communication interface is configured to send the printer protocol selection command to a printer, the printer protocol selection command is configured to cause the printer to communicate in accordance with the selected printer protocol.

Abstract: A system for controlling charging of a battery of a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine. The system includes an input that receives an engine shutdown signal indicative that the engine will be shut down during an idle period to thereby conserve fuel. An engine shutdown delay delays shutdown of the engine for a shutdown delay period in response to the engine shutdown signal. Charge boost circuitry increases a charge signal applied to the battery of the vehicle during the engine shutdown delay period.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing a storage battery is provided that generates a temperature at which the battery will fail to meet performance criteria. The use of a temperature-based system to rate battery performance provides a clearer understanding to those not skilled in the art of battery testing. The critical failure temperature is obtained using the battery parameters of open circuit voltage, temperature and a dynamic parameter such as conductance or resistance.

Abstract: A storage battery includes a battery housing and a plurality of electrochemical cells in the battery housing electrically connected to terminals of the battery. A battery test module is mounted to the battery housing and electrically coupled to the terminals through Kelvin connections. A display or other output is configured to output battery condition information from the battery test module.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supplying energy to a vehicle battery is provided. The apparatus includes a positive connector that couples to a positive terminal of the vehicle battery and a negative connector that couples to a negative terminal of the vehicle battery. A battery charger applies a charge signal to the vehicle battery through the positive and negative connectors to thereby charge the vehicle battery. A jump-start booster pack, coupled to the battery charger, can optionally provide starting energy to the vehicle battery through the positive and negative connectors. The booster pack can be charged by the charge signal.

Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery is provided. The tester includes a pair of Kelvin connectors that can electrically couple to terminals of the battery. Also included, is a source that can apply a time varying forcing function to the battery through the Kelvin connectors. A sensor that electrically couples to the Kelvin connectors can sense a response of the storage battery to the applied forcing function and provide a response signal. An analog to digital converter digitizes the response signal. Processing circuitry converts the digitized response signal into multiple Fourier components and determines noise in the response signal from a subset of the multiple Fourier components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting the remaining discharge time of a battery are provided. The method includes measuring a dynamic parameter of the battery, obtaining a discharge current of the battery, measuring a voltage of the battery and obtaining a temperature of the battery. The remaining run time of the battery is predicted as a function of the measured battery dynamic parameter, the discharge current, the measured battery voltage, the battery temperature, a full charge battery dynamic parameter and an estimated capacity of the battery.

Abstract: A method and system for managing power in a device having a power source is described. The method and system includes a switch and at least one controller. The switch is coupled with the power source and a portion of the device. The at least one controller is coupled with the switch and is for controlling the switch to be open or closed based on instructions provided to the controller. The controller toggles the switch to provide pulse-width modulation, thereby stepping-down a first power to a desired power provided to the portion of the device. In another aspect, the method and system include loading software for providing pulse width modulation in at least one controller of a system. The system includes at least one switch coupled with the power source, a portion of the device and the controller. In this aspect, the method and system also include utilizing the at least one controller for toggling the switch to provide pulse-width modulation based on the software.

Abstract: An electronic battery tester includes a calibration interface. A microprocessor is configured to calibrate the battery tester by coupling to a calibrator through the calibration interface.

Abstract: A charge control device for providing a constant charge voltage with temperature compensation to a battery being charged by a constant current charger is provided. The device includes a first electrical connector that couples to a positive terminal of the battery and a second electrical connector that couples to a negative terminal of the battery. A current bypass circuit electrically couples to the positive and negative terminals of the battery through respective first and second electrical connectors. The current bypass circuit includes a bypass path for a portion of a charge current from the constant current charger to flow, thereby maintaining a substantially constant voltage across the battery terminals at a particular temperature.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling power to a cranking subsystem in a device having a power source is disclosed. The method and system include providing at least one switch and providing at least one controller. The switch is coupled with the power source. The at least one controller is coupled with the switch. The at least one controller is for controlling the at least one switch to be open or closed based on a signature of a behavior of a portion of the device. Thus, power is controlled to the portion of the device based on the signature of the portion of the device. In one aspect, the method and system include monitoring a portion of the device to determine a behavior of the portion of the device. In this aspect, the method and system include comparing the behavior of the portion of the device to a signature for the portion of the device.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of monitoring a battery in an automotive vehicle are provided. An output is provided which can be a relative output as a function of minimum and maximum parameters of the battery.

Abstract: A Kelvin clamp for coupling a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor to a battery contact to provide a Kelvin connection to the battery contact. The Kelvin clamp includes a first electrically conductive arm having a first grasping portion that can couple to the battery contact and to the first electrical conductor. Also included is a second arm that has a first electrically conductive piece and a second electrically conductive piece, which are mechanically coupled together and electrically isolated from each other. The first electrically conductive piece has a second grasping portion that can couple to the battery contact. The first electrically conductive piece can also couple to the second electrical conductor. The first electrically conductive arm and the second electrically conductive piece are electrically and mechanically coupled together by a spring mechanism.

Abstract: A method of distributing jump-start booster packs. The method includes furnishing a jump-start booster pack without an internal booster battery at an origin location and packaging the jump-start booster pack at the origin location. The jump-start booster pack is then shipped to a remote location.

Abstract: An electronic battery tester includes battery test circuitry configured to couple to a battery. A memory is configured to log data from the battery test circuitry and a databus configured to exchange logged data with external circuitry.

Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery includes test circuitry configured to provide an output based upon a selected test criteria. Additionally, circuitry is provided to assist in balancing batteries used in a string of multiple batteries.

Abstract: An electronic battery tester for determining a condition of a storage battery includes a forcing function adapted to couple to the battery. Circuitry coupled to the forcing function is adapted to obtain measurements from the battery at multiple levels of the forcing function. In the method according to the present invention, a forcing function is applied to the battery at a first level and a first measurement is obtained. The forcing function is applied at a second level and a second measurement is obtained. The first and second measurements are correlated to condition of the battery.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to couple to a battery contact is provided. The apparatus includes an electrical connector for connection to a battery contact and a current sensor coupled to the electrical connector, the current sensor is used for measuring current through an electrical conductor. In addition, a method of coupling an electrical circuit to a battery contact is provided.