Testing Capacity

[Davecul]

Hello

Pretty simple really, I'd like to know if it's possible to charge a battery and then tell how much capacity it holds?

I only have a multimeter to measure with, and I can figure out most of them hold 7.2+ volts when fully charged, but beyond that I'm stumped!

I'm interested in measuring the batteries I have that do have a capacity on them and some ones I've got recently in trades that don't have a capacity stated on them.

Thanks in advance,

Dave

[WillyChang]

2 main ways...

use that multimeter (set to current) wired in series with a 12V taillamp lightbulb; and a stopwatch.

Measure the current and, assuming the current is relatively stable, time how long it takes for the pack to dump.

get a fancy (dis)charger that is able to discharge your battery; it'll readout the mAh that has come out until it stops