Product category:
Sensors and Data Acquisition
News Release from: Klaric | Subject: Klari-Mod
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 11 May 2004
Logger keeps track of automotive battery
drain
A novel compact measuring system provides analysis of electricity consumption in motor vehicles.
A novel compact measuring system provides analysis of electricity consumption in vehicles The Klari-Mod is designed to record both resting and starting currents under real conditions without any need for structural modifications to the vehicle
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 8 Nov 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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The system is built into test vehicles and can be implemented, for example, directly at the production end, in order to display the battery charge data using either a PC or PDA.
The system is also designed for use during test runs.
Data can be recorded over a period of days or weeks; these are then stored via a PDA interface for retrieval and evaluation at a later time.
The data logger function allows precise comparisons between several vehicles.
A CANbus connection and various trigger options enable longitudinal measurements over time based on event-controlled recording.
The measuring system consists of two power-saving units: a measuring unit based on a low-ohm shunt and a recording unit with CF card for data storage.
The system can be integrated directly into the circuit either at the positive or negative pole of the vehicle battery.
An additional measuring cable monitors the battery voltage.
The Klari-Mod features 21bit current resolution, and at the same time guarantees accurate measurements.
Currents ranging from only a few milliamps through to 1500A can be reliably recorded.
System configuration and the transfer of measured data is carried out using the serial RS232 and CAN interface which are integrated as standard in the module.
A PDA, connected to the measuring module via the RS232 interface, is used in the data evaluation and recording unit.
The Klaric software, UniAmp, is used both to configure the measuring module and to process and record the data.
For this, the charge values both to and from the battery are calculated, based on the values of the current.
The current and charge values are then stored together with the battery voltage as ASCII files on a data carrier such as the CF or SD card.
This allows the evaluation of the data at a later point using, for example, Excel, Diadem etc.
The system is also available with a rechargeable battery.
Using a 512Mbyte CompactFlash card and assuming a datarate of 15 measured values taken per second, this means that measurements can be taken over a period of several days with no effect on the car battery being monitored.
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