CONDITION TESTER FOR A BATTERY

摘要

A tester (10) for determining the condition of an electrochemical power source, e.g. a battery or main cell (30), is disclosed. The tester may comprise an electrolytic (coulometric) cell (20) connected in series to an auxiliary cell (25). The auxiliary cell (25) is a miniature electrochemical power cell. The electrolytic (coulometric) cell (20) may have no electromoti ce force of its own and may comprise an anode (47) and cathode (43) of the same material, desirably silver, with an electrolyte (45) contacting at least a portion of both the anode (47) and cathode (43). The tester (10) may be permanently connected in parallel to a main cell (30) being tested and is th in enough to be integratable into a label (58) for the main cell (30). As the main cell (30) discharges, the electrolytic cell anode (47) clears proportionally to the discharge of one of the electrodes of the main cell to provide a continuous visually discernible indication of the state of charge of the main cell (30).