Testing a battery is an easy enough thing to do. Grab your multimeter, set the mode to measure DC voltage, and press the probes against the battery’s electrodes. Nothing to it. So why mess with such a simple process?
The voltmeter module (📷: TARIQ LAB)
For the most part, you probably wouldn’t want to. However, for special cases, TARIQ LAB’s recent hack could come in handy. If you need a more portable testing device, if you don’t want to mess with wires, or if you need a device that doesn’t rely on batteries of its own, then this tiny voltmeter could be just what you are looking for.
To make the device, TARIQ LAB started with an 18650 Lithium-ion battery holder. A small 0-30V DC voltmeter with an onboard seven-segment display was attached to the battery holder with double-sided tape. This voltmeter was then wired to the back side of each terminal of the battery holder.
Soldering the voltmeter to the battery holder (📷: TARIQ LAB)
To check the voltage level of an 18650 battery, all you need to do is pop it in the holder. The display will immediately register the result. Nice little hack, huh? Be sure to watch the video below to learn how you can make your own copy of this device in just a few minutes.
