DISCOVER BATTERY
LITHIUM BLUE BATTERY MONITOR APP
Free; discoverbattery.com
Lithium Blue batteries are a bank of smaller cells, each combined to create the voltage and amp-hours capacity on the specifications label on the casing. All lithium batteries can be volatile if not discharged or recharged at a safe rate. So, each Lithium Blue battery is equipped with a microprocessor that monitors battery temperature, rate of charge or discharge, voltage stored in each cell of the battery, and the overall condition of the battery. Lithium batteries put out the full rated voltage for the entire cycle, unlike lead-acid batteries, which lose voltage faster and put out less amps as they discharge. Lithium’s technology has unique characteristics that present an unusual challenge for battery-measuring devices.
So, Discover Battery installed a Bluetooth transmitter in each battery with the capability of reporting all battery stats.
IN THE BOX: Download the Lithium Blue app at Google Play or iTunes. It will search for active batteries and connect to them.
WHAT WE SAW: If Lithium Blue batteries are active (and not asleep for nonuse or low charge), the app will find their Bluetooth signal and connect. Inactive batteries need to be awakened with an active charger, which shoots low voltage to the battery, awakening the microprocessor. Once done, the app found the batteries and listed them with their serial numbers. Tap to connect and read the charge status, voltage, amp capacity and battery temperature. Each battery has a two-page report: One reports the top-line stats, including voltage, amps and battery temperature; the other page offers a detailed battery report on each cell in the battery and a warranty registration portal.
OUR TAKE: The Lithium Blue app not only reports the total voltage, amp capacity and amps remaining in the battery, but it also reports the same for each cell in the battery. This gives not only the most precise readout of each battery’s charge status but also the health of each individual cell. While a typical ammeter or voltmeter might not immediately register the failure of the dozens of cells in a lithium battery, the Lithium Blue microprocessor and app team up to do so. Lithium batteries are ideal for house battery banks, trolling motors and electric propulsion systems. They are not recommended for starting batteries.