Battery indicator
Encyclopedia
A Battery indicator is a device which gives information about a battery
. This will usually be a visual indication of the battery's state of charge
. It is particularly important in the case of a battery electric vehicle
.
Some automobile
s are fitted with a battery condition meter to monitor the starter battery
. This meter is, essentially, a voltmeter
but it may also be marked with coloured zones for easy visualisation.
Many newer cars no longer offer voltmeters or ammeters; instead, these vehicles typically have a light with the outline of an automotive battery on it. This can be somewhat misleading as it may be confused for an indicator of a bad battery when in reality it indicates a problem with the vehicle's charging system.
Alternatively, an ammeter
may be fitted. This indicates whether the battery is being charged or discharged. In the picture on the right, the ammeter is marked "Alternator" and the symbols are "C" (charge) and "D" (discharge). Click on the picture to enlarge it.
Both ammeter
s and voltmeter
s individually or together can be used to assess the operating state of an aumoobile battery and charging system.
s, the battery indicator usually takes the form of a bar graph - the more bars that are showing, the better the battery's state of charge.
uses a controller integrated with an interchangeable battery pack to provide a more accurate indication of the state of battery charge.
Battery (electricity)
An electrical battery is one or more electrochemical cells that convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy. Since the invention of the first battery in 1800 by Alessandro Volta and especially since the technically improved Daniell cell in 1836, batteries have become a common power...
. This will usually be a visual indication of the battery's state of charge
State of charge
State of charge is the equivalent of a fuel gauge for the battery pack in a battery electric vehicle , hybrid vehicle , or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle...
. It is particularly important in the case of a battery electric vehicle
Battery electric vehicle
A battery electric vehicle, or BEV, is a type of electric vehicle that uses chemical energy stored in rechargeable battery packs. BEVs use electric motors and motor controllers instead of, or in addition to, internal combustion engines for propulsion.A battery-only electric vehicle or...
.
Automobiles
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
s are fitted with a battery condition meter to monitor the starter battery
Car battery
An automotive battery is a type of rechargeable battery that supplies electric energy to an automobile. Usually this refers to an SLI battery to power the starter motor, the lights, and the ignition system of a vehicle’s engine...
. This meter is, essentially, a voltmeter
Voltmeter
A voltmeter is an instrument used for measuring electrical potential difference between two points in an electric circuit. Analog voltmeters move a pointer across a scale in proportion to the voltage of the circuit; digital voltmeters give a numerical display of voltage by use of an analog to...
but it may also be marked with coloured zones for easy visualisation.
Many newer cars no longer offer voltmeters or ammeters; instead, these vehicles typically have a light with the outline of an automotive battery on it. This can be somewhat misleading as it may be confused for an indicator of a bad battery when in reality it indicates a problem with the vehicle's charging system.
Alternatively, an ammeter
Ammeter
An ammeter is a measuring instrument used to measure the electric current in a circuit. Electric currents are measured in amperes , hence the name. Instruments used to measure smaller currents, in the milliampere or microampere range, are designated as milliammeters or microammeters...
may be fitted. This indicates whether the battery is being charged or discharged. In the picture on the right, the ammeter is marked "Alternator" and the symbols are "C" (charge) and "D" (discharge). Click on the picture to enlarge it.
Both ammeter
Ammeter
An ammeter is a measuring instrument used to measure the electric current in a circuit. Electric currents are measured in amperes , hence the name. Instruments used to measure smaller currents, in the milliampere or microampere range, are designated as milliammeters or microammeters...
s and voltmeter
Voltmeter
A voltmeter is an instrument used for measuring electrical potential difference between two points in an electric circuit. Analog voltmeters move a pointer across a scale in proportion to the voltage of the circuit; digital voltmeters give a numerical display of voltage by use of an analog to...
s individually or together can be used to assess the operating state of an aumoobile battery and charging system.
Electronic devices
A battery indicator is a feature of many electronic devices. In mobile phoneMobile phone
A mobile phone is a device which can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link whilst moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile network operator...
s, the battery indicator usually takes the form of a bar graph - the more bars that are showing, the better the battery's state of charge.
Computers
Computers may give a signal to users that an internal standby battery needs replacement. Portable computers using rechargeable batteries gernally give the user some indication of the remaining operating time left on the battery. A Smart Battery SystemSmart Battery System
Smart Battery System is a specification for determining accurate battery capacity readings. It allows operating systems to perform power management operations based on remaining estimated run times. Through this communication, the system also controls the amount the battery is charged. ...
uses a controller integrated with an interchangeable battery pack to provide a more accurate indication of the state of battery charge.