We'll see...
Duh. What matters is whether the internal resistance
has increased substantially so that it can no longer
deliver the voltage it should deliver with a decent
load, particularly when the batterys are used to
power the higher current devices.
Pretty much splitting hairs there, fact is that on a
perfectly working cell it's impedance is an issue when
driving relatively high current loads, it is not a matter of
defect alone, it is a factor in every use of brand new
perfect cells too.
Just measuring the unloaded voltage doesnt tell you
anything about batterys that have gone higher resistance.
never suggested it did.
The load has to be appropriate for the battery chemistry,
design and size and the margin for error rapidly goes up as
one deviates from that ideal.
And thats not feasible with as simple a battery tester
as the one being discussed. It certainly makes more
sense to load the battery than not load it at all tho.
never claimed otherwise, but only randomly thinking "load"
vs "no load" is pretty irrelevant, the ACTUAL load has
beconsidered (by either the tester or designer of the test
equipment).
Yes, but thats better than claiming the battery is fine when its
internal resistance has increased substantially and it will no
longer supply the voltage its supposed to supply when loaded.
not better or worse overall, depends on the criteria. Some
want most lifespan, or lowest cost, or longest runtime per
outting, several different things can matter most.
The one thing that should always be avoided is unreliable
indication of the battery state so one can't even make a
reasonable attempt to choose their own strategy for
replacement or recharge intervals.
Not for the devices that have motors in them etc.
Yes for devices that have motors.
While the motor might load it more, that does not matter!
To indicate the battery state it is necessary to load it
appropriate to it's size, design and chemistry.
Smaller alkalines shouldn't be used in any high current
motorized device to begin with, but if they're used, there
will be a voltage depression from the higher current load
(same as when tested), a voltage that will RISE AGAIN after
the device is turned off, relative to what it was when last
running. This completely invalidates a high (relative)
current test on those cells, unless your only goal was not
testing the battery at all, rather qualifying for particular
device usage. Toward that end it is a fair test, a
determination of alkaline (for example) is fit at all, or
better to use something like NiCad.
