4 ms·
> Isn't there some kind of indicator the software can produce, as do the laptops and iphones? Or are those indicators not very reliable in practice? A full "c
by dragontamer 5y ago
> Isn't there some kind of indicator the software can produce, as do the laptops and iphones? Or are those indicators not very reliable in practice?
A full "coulomb count" of a battery can somewhat reliably estimate the amount that a Li-Ion battery has worn out. Its a pretty simple idea:
1. On one charge-cycle... count every electron that enters the battery.
2. As its discharging... count every electron that leaves the battery.
Typical phones and laptops will perform a coulomb count whenever you go through charge / discharge cycles (and a full coulomb count will only occur if you go from 0% charge to 100% charge... and a full count is the most accurate).
However, this is an external "blackbox" estimate to the life of the battery. You don't really know the battery's condition. There's no chemical test involved where you're sampling the contaminants inside of the Li-ion cells.
- vladvasiliu 5y agoI understand it's an estimation. What I don't know is how useful / close enough it can be. Is this "good enough" for when you're purchasing a used car / computer / iphone or when you're thinking of taking that long trip with your already well-worn Tesla?
- dragontamer 5y agoUnless you plan to buy a chemical analysis system, open up the cells with a chainsaw and perform chemical samples over the electrolyte inside of the cells... --------- I'm fairly certain that any accurate chemical test would destroy the cells, at least with our current level of technology. As such, its not a question of "good enough". Its simply a question of "what is possible". Since nothing better is possible yet, Coulomb Counting is our best methodology.