DETERMINING THE STATE OF HEALTH OF A BATTERY

摘要

A method and associated apparatus for determining the state of health of a battery (1), comprising the steps of discharging the battery through a known test load (6) across the battery; measuring the voltage (9) across the battery (1) when the battery is discharging through the test load (6); and from the measured voltage determining at least one parameter (19) relating to the state of health of the battery. Typically the method also models (10) from the, or each, parameter relating to the state of health of the battery, the state of charge (17) of the battery (1). The method is particularly suitable for monitoring the health of lead-acid batteries, and especially of those installed in vehicles. In one embodiment, the test load can be a pre-existing electric apparatus of a vehicle, such as a heated rear windscreen.