IR Meter Recommendations

[Wolf]

OK I will take my IR meters and put them away for now, till they are required again.
If I die who wants them?
Wolf

 

[Wolf]

This is of course not for use in professional applications where 0.001 accuracy is required compared to the national standard

Well I guess I'm gonna put my reference board also away then.
Wolf

 

[Stingray]

На самом деле нет, но это хороший вопрос. я

hmmm. I think the 1220 and 3563 are based on a similar algorithm and should be calibrated because they are not as accurate as the 1035 across the range and the user has to compromise accuracy within different ranges. from what I understand the 1220 has 1 more sign and 1 more range to calibrate (compare to 3563).
p.s. My 1220 still hasn't left China even judging by the track number

 

[Stingray]

If you group all your 40-50 Ohm cells together, for instance, it doesn't matter if the meter reads 5-Ohms higher than another meter, as long as you use the same meter to do all your testing.

it is so in a moment, but if you look at, say, the degradation of the elements over time - the instruments should show more or less the same between each other, otherwise you need to mark with what to measure to see the dynamics of Rin

 

[Stingray]

YK-VR1220H

I got my today.

First impressions are
1. it's very, very slowly/RC3563 shows the result about 5 times faster.
2. My RC3563 has better build quality and the chips are not sawed off.
I'll check the accuracy this weekend.

 

[Wolf]

My RC3563 has better build quality and the chips are not sawed off.

Interesting, I did not open mine up. I did hook it up to see if I could get some data but was unable to. I did not spend a lot of time on it as of what I saw it is no better than my original RC3563. Again my main voltage range is 1.5v to 4.2v and 10mΩ to around 80mΩ anything above that voltage and mΩ resistance is not necessary for me as 18650 is really my only platform. In that range a -0.003v max reading difference is well within my acceptable error level esp. since I use it from first touch to last reading before cell commitment. Also I can import the data to excel. When I get back to US I will take apart both and do some internal comparisons.
Wolf

 

[Stingray]

vr1220H is calibrated differently.
The previous devices could be adjusted by buttons to adjust voltages. e.g. 4.9995V is supplied and we do it by buttons on the screen there. but VR1220H is not like that, it wants 5V, 50V, 120V and you can't adjust it via buttons, but after supplying such voltage you can store the value in the memory.
Without calibration the accuracy in the whole range (0-120V) is not worse than 0.25%, I think it is realistic to fit in 0.1..0.15 after calibration.

It is also interesting that the cords of VR1220H and RC3563 are soldered differently.
Which of the connections is more standard ?
I'll resolder them to be the same

 

[Stingray]

I see these disadvantages of the vr1220h
- slow, very slow, you can directly see how it "counts voltages" for example, 5V is applied and on the screen we see 0.5 ...1.5 ...2 ...4....and finally 5. such a slow voltmeter I have not met yet.

- readings with time slightly decrease - for example 5.0000V in 10 minutes of work will become 4.9995. But my RC3563 even does not have such many digits.

- Apparently the program from RC3563 is not suitable, we should look for another software maybe from YR1035 will be suitable

pros:
120Volt! 8 lead acid batteries*12V you can immediately see the resistance of the whole battery.

 

[Wolf]

Which of the connections is more standard ?
I'll resolder them to be the same

No don't do that, if you do then when you hook up the Probes, clips, or holder that comes with the meter they will read negative.
I tried using the far superior cell holder from my RC3563 as the connectors are the same however the reading was negative on the YK- VR1220H if you install the cell into the holder the normal way.


@Stingray - readings with time slightly decrease - for example 5.0000V in 10 minutes of work will become 4.9995. But my RC3563 even does not have such many digits.
Actually The RC3563 has 4 decimal place voltage and Ω resolution. It won't show it on the screen but if you use the software or my python script you will get that. All my cells are tested using the RC3563 with my script and imported into excel . Sample output.

Apparently the program from RC3563 is not suitable, we should look for another software maybe from YR1035 will be suitable

Maybe but there is no official YR1035 program. Also the YR1030-35(*) does not come with a USB-TTL converter. It has a place for a CP2102 SMD and if you pull one off of a donor board and solder it on you will get data.
I wrote a small python script that works for my style of YR1035 and you may be able to use it.
See the thread where @Oleksii discusses this. There also is more info.

YR1035+ enabling serial port to read data

Hi all ! Owners of YR1035+ could see in Menu an entry "6. RS232" and probably wondered why is this for? I figured it out ! (let me note that right here that Add: must be 00, otherwise data will be missing. And Baud can be changed, but it will not be saved when you turn device off/on) If open...

secondlifestorage.com

pros:
120Volt! 8 lead acid batteries*12V you can immediately see the resistance of the whole battery.

Don't take this the wrong way but,
maybe a pro for you but not necessary for most.
I am sure you could use the YK-VR1220H to test Pb batteries but it was really designed for lithium.


I personally would use much more specific testing tools that are specifically designed for Pb based conventional flooded, enhanced flooded (EFB), AGM flat plate, AGM spiral, and gel batteries.
If vented, a Refractometer or at least a hydrometer is a must have to test specific gravity and a SOH tester specifically designed
for Pb based batteries.
As I have a 4s3p flooded 48V Pb system as the ultimate winter backup, because I can charge Pb at –20°C I have all the necessary tools to maintain this battery.
Wolf

 

[italianuser]

readings with time slightly decrease - for example 5.0000V in 10 minutes of work will become 4.9995. But my RC3563 even does not have such many digits.

That could be correct because of temperature change in the device, cable and load. Very small temperature variation -> very small voltage difference.

 

[Stingray]

Нет, не делай этого , я

I will change both connectors inside the device and with celvin probe.

 

[Stingray]

Actually The RC3563 has 4 decimal place voltage

Thank you, I know. but it does not matter how many digits via PC connection because the main problem of RC3563 - bad calibration , and these 4 digits are not available during calibration (even 3 digits are not fully available during calibration it seems as 2,5 digits during calibration).
as about batteries, I was referring to sealed lead acid batteries in series (just 9Ah each). Such batteries are not designed to measure electrolyte density, they are sealed and there is no liquid fraction there, and there is no desire to mess with it.
I use balancers to extend the service life, they are required for series, but it is not profitable for the manufacturers, the batteries with them live 2-3 times longer.
8 *12 volt batteries in series is a fairly popular scheme for a 2-3 kW UPS. and vr1220h will allow me to see the total Rin without disassembling the unit.
such devices (IR meters are very affective for quick testing PB UPS battery, I even do it in shop when purchasing new 8-10 pcs, It takes just seconds to test.
moreover I test NiMh, Alcaline and any other battery not just Lithium

 

[Stingray]

That could be correct

my another ER-1D tester (about 5 years old) is stable and more accurate. Every year or often I am checking all my voltmeters by this device (at the picture). and for the last 2 years, ER-1D has not required a new calibration.
VR1220H is unstable even for 10 minutes

 

[Wolf]

8 *12 volt batteries in series is a fairly popular scheme for a 2-3 kW UPS. and vr1220h will allow me to see the total Rin without disassembling the unit.

I see you are using the tester at a much higher voltage. I do also have an ER-1D and other than nor being able to import the data I do like it.
I also understand that you are more than likely to encounter batteries in the field for testing. Again It is something I may do on occasion but most of the time they are LiFePO4 single cells ~2.5V to 3.5V and ≤1mΩ.
Almost all of my testing is on 18650 cells and a voltage range of ~1v to 4.2v so I guess I failed in my complete analysis of the RC3563.
I apologize.
I did however never endorse the YK-VR1220H other than buying one and checking it out.
My testers of choice have always been the YR1035+ and the RC3563. The RC3563 is my workhorse and close enough for my purposes.
It has the best holder to rapidly test 18650 cells wherewith I can measure and process 160 cells in about 20 min.
I may incorporate the YR1035+ at some time in the future and adapt 1 of the RC3563 holders to it. I always buy 2 as a precaution.

Every year or often I am checking all my voltmeters by this device (at the picture).

I do too! Funny how we like to make sure our equipment is in top shape. However in my case I don't go much over 10V. I trust my Flukes for that. I also have the same AD584 voltage reference box. Did yours come with a 6 1/2 reference card? mine did not.
I also have another AD584 that did come with a reference card which I incorporated into a V and R tester board with Isabellenhütte 10mΩ ±1%,
1.5mΩ ±0.5%, and a 33mΩ ±1% Resistors.
That gives me a good idea how close any DMM is to a true reference. At least close enough for me.
Wolf

 

[Stingray]

6 1/2 reference card?

Yes
I also use some resistors but VR1220h is hard to calibrate due to it require exactly 20mΩ ...

 

[Wolf]

I also use some resistors but VR1220h is hard to calibrate due to it require exactly 20mΩ ...

Well than we can all agree the YK-VR1220H is just not that good of an IR and Volt meter.
It certainly doesn't live up to its hype. Glad we tested it and found it failing.
Considering the "accuracy" of all the sub $100.00 IR and V meters, YR1035+, RC3563, and the ER-1D seem to be the better choices all in all.
There is also an updated ER-1D, the ER-1E. Unfortunately it seems to be out of stock everywhere.



Update I found one on Amazon, UK I have ordered it. Problem is it may come in after I have left Austria. May have to get my mom to send it to US.

Lithium Battery Internal Resistance Tester, 0.01mΩ - 200 MΩ Resolution Battery Internal Resistance Test Equipment with : Amazon.co.uk: Business, Industry & Science

Buy Lithium Battery Internal Resistance Tester, 0.01mΩ - 200 MΩ Resolution Battery Internal Resistance Test Equipment with at Amazon UK. Free delivery on eligible orders.

amzn.eu

Wolf

 

[Wolf]

I found another V and IR meter.
Might get this one also just for fun.
Gonna have to see if I can capture data on this one also.
Accuracy claims are a bit better than the handheld versions on voltage and the 20mΩ scale
Unfortunately it only goes to 20v Max.
Wolf

 

[Stingray]

I found another V and IR meter.

one more, and I see some explanations about the connector. and please see the table for pb-acid Rin/Capacity, such meters not only for Li ​

 

[Wolf]

@Stingray
Yes there is that one too. It does seem to be a bench version of the RC3563 as it has similar specs.
Basic accuracy:
Resistance: 0.5%
Voltage: 0.5%
Since I already have 2 handheld RC3563 units I'll pass on that one for now.
Indeed you can measure virtually all batteries with any IR meter I do not deny that. I guess my automotive repair background
is rearing its ugly head. I'm just used to having the right tool for the right job. I understand some tools are universal and can be used on a Fiat or a Rolls Royce. But I wouldn't test a lithium cell with a classic load tester.
Wolf

 

[Stingray]

Guys, could you please advise, how to recognize YR1035 (+) with unlocked calibration menu?
I think previously all of them were free to calibrate, but now it seems not. I bought YR1035 half year ago from ali and calibration was not possible (I sold it and ordered 2 different devices Rc3563 and VR1220H both have some issues).
I mean how to recognize unlocked YR1035 before purchase (may be firmware version or producer or seller...)