5.4 Measuring over time

I declare: solidlikelyshaky

1. Log a pack’s voltage and current during a full discharge and derive the real capacity in Ah and in Wh.
2. Measure a high DC current with the DC clamp meter, zero it first, and say its accuracy at low current.
3. Measure a small or varying current with a shunt and the oscilloscope.
4. Build a logger (microcontroller or instrument) that records one measurement per second for hours, and read the file.
5. Plot a panel’s I-V curve in the sun and find its maximum power point.
6. Measure a temperature (thermocouple, thermistor, thermal camera) on a component under load and relate it to its datasheet.
7. Diagnosis: a pack whose measured capacity is well under the label, weak cell, age or measurement method; separate them by the curve.