Summary of PACKPROBE REPORTS LAPTOP BATTERY HEALTH
### Summary PackProbe is a software tool that communicates with laptop batteries compliant with the Smart Battery System (SBS) to report specifications, manufacturing details, and health status. Originally designed for the WiFi-enabled Arduino Yún using SMBus over I2C, it can be adapted for other Arduino platforms or the ESP8266. This utility helps users determine if a battery remains usable or if its cells are suitable for harvesting in recycling operations.
Parts used in PackProbe:
- Laptop batteries
- Arduino Yún
- SMBus interface
- I2C hardware
- ESP8266
The 18650 cell has become a ubiquitous standard in the lithium battery world. From power drills to early Tesla vehicles, these compact cells power all manner of portable devices. A particularly common use is in laptop batteries, where they’re often built into a pack using the Smart Battery System. This creates a smart battery that can communicate and report on its own status. PackProbe is a software tool built to communicate with these batteries, and you might just find it comes in handy.
The code runs on the WiFi-enabled Arduino Yún by default, but can be easily modified to suit other Arduino platforms. Communicating over SMBus using the Arduino’s I2C hardware, it’s capable of working with the vast majority of laptop batteries out there which comply with the Smart Battery System. With that standard being minted in 1994, it’s spread far and wide these days.
It’s a great way to harvest not only the specifications and manufacturing details of your laptop battery pack, but also to check on the health of the battery. This can give a clear idea over whether the battery is still usable, as well as whether the cells are worth harvesting for those in the recycling business.
You’re not limited to just the Arduino, though. There’s a similar tool available for the ESP8266, too.
Source: PACKPROBE REPORTS LAPTOP BATTERY HEALTH
- What is PackProbe?
PackProbe is a software tool built to communicate with laptop batteries using the Smart Battery System. - Can PackProbe work on devices other than the Arduino Yún?
Yes, the code can be modified to suit other Arduino platforms or used with the ESP8266. - How does PackProbe communicate with batteries?
It communicates over SMBus using the Arduino's I2C hardware. - What information can PackProbe provide about a battery?
It harvests specifications, manufacturing details, and health data to check usability. - Does PackProbe support all laptop batteries?
No, it works with the vast majority of laptop batteries that comply with the Smart Battery System standard. - Why would someone use PackProbe for recycling?
It helps identify whether battery cells are worth harvesting for those in the recycling business. - When was the Smart Battery System standard established?
The standard was minted in 1994.
