BattLab-One

207 views
Skip to first unread message

Richard Ibbotson

unread,
Apr 2, 2021, 11:05:47 AM4/2/21
to rLab / Reading's Hackspace
I saw this device and wondered if one might be useful for the rLab electronics bench?

Dave has done a youtube review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nwCYfff6Hc

I use a Qoitech Otii ARC but they are expensive, license unfriendly and closed source. I use it a lot though. The BattLAB does appear to have some limitations especially in software, but it still does 90% of what I use my Otii for.


Cheers,
Richard

Vance Briggs

unread,
Apr 2, 2021, 1:41:09 PM4/2/21
to Reading Hackspace
Yes, I agree that this could be a useful addition to the lab and it isn't too expensive, so I second it's purchase.  

Vance

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "rLab / Reading's Hackspace" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to reading-hacksp...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/reading-hackspace/3888b840-1e26-4d87-a07b-9d649fc474bdn%40googlegroups.com.

Jeremy Poulter

unread,
Apr 3, 2021, 4:34:54 AM4/3/21
to rLab List
Hi,

I too have an Otti and the two don't really compare. The license (usage) is way better than it used to be, no messing around with licenses for the basic usage, just plug and go, it is only for the more advanced features that you need to use the license manager.

The batt-lab looks to be very targeted at battery life estimation (based on the EEVBlog video) where as the Otti is much more of a general purpose power monitoring tool. Now that being said the Batt-lab is in some respects better than the Otti for this one case as it has all the battery life calculations. The Batt-lab also has potential to be extended to do other more general power monitoring use cases in the future as the hardware looks to have the basics so it is 'just' software updates.

Personally I would say if there is a desire a tool for measuring low power usage then we should get the Otti, but it is just under £700 Vs £100 for the Batt-lab.

Happy to demo the Otti if there if folks are interested.

Jeremy


Richard Ibbotson

unread,
Apr 3, 2021, 10:33:42 AM4/3/21
to rLab / Reading's Hackspace
I see the following advantages of the Otii over the BattLab.
1) Otii is able to measure, log and give a real time display of the current over long periods of time. The current graph display is active visible real time which is a major advantage when debugging to get peripherals to go into low power. The long capture periods can do long term averaging of the different active and sleep and different current, power, and energy levels of these. The BattLab does its capture over a fixed time period and then displays, which works for many use cases but is nowhere near as powerful. It may be possible to fix this with new firmware and application but I am not seeing much activity to develop new releases.

2) The user interface of Otii is much better especially for debugging and testing. This I think could be improved if the user interface of the BattLAb put the battery analysis stuff in a separate menu and concentrated the main page to more general data collection.

3) The Otii has a much more flexible and configurable analogue front end. I have been able to use the additional current and voltage measurement channels to completely measure the performance of a solar powered wireless device with a small LiPo battery for our balloon tracker. It was possible to see the charging and discharging processes as separate traces on the graph. Not something I use often but of massive value when I did.

4) Otii is auto ranging between its 3 current ranges so easy to measure, log and display a wide range of current scenarios in one capture.

Thus I agree with Jeremy that the Otii is much better. The choice depends on our budget and what value members put on such a device. The BattLab gives a lot for the money and is Open Hardware and Software. I did previously use the Nordic Power Profiler (PPK) but that had a current maximum of 70mA which was too low for most embedded WiFi and complex sensor devices.

I do think either Otii or BattLab would be a good addition to our rLab test bench for low power embedded devices. I use mine more than my oscilloscope but not as much as my Segger and multi-meter.

Richard

dafid...@gmail.com

unread,
Apr 6, 2021, 5:58:53 AM4/6/21
to rLab / Reading's Hackspace
The maker/hacker spirit of the BattLab strongly appeals, with free to modify software and hardware design that is open for modification.

I would be interested to explore the software side of it :).

As a user of them - The one idea or maybe plan I have is a Loran/gps/accelerometer cat tracker/finder.  Since this is quite limited in terms of size and weight - before the cat gets upset;  and a longer duration is better .. it seems that such a device could possibly help me here (if it became a real project).
In my dreaming/ I use the current from the datasheets of the more standout components (MCU, Radio, GPS, accelerometer) and the required input voltage for the regulator(s?) - along with duty cycles and allowance for inefficiencies plucked from my inexperience.. to determine that the idea wont fit in the weight/size limits using off the shelf prototyping boards - so needs a purpose surface mount design which implies my design for the antennas / and it gets way beyond my comfort zone and goes back to a dream again... sigh. 

Mostly my ideas can live with some KISS approach for power/etc.

Vance Briggs

unread,
Apr 30, 2021, 10:25:54 AM4/30/21
to Reading Hackspace
Given Jeremy and Richard's comments it appears that the Otti is superior in a number of aspects. The obvious negative being the cost. 

I would argue the following: The BattLab-One is cost-wise within reach of the keen amateur, whereas purchase of the Otti by an individual would likely be difficult to justify. As such the Otti is the sort of tool that rLab should hold in behalf of its members. 

I therefore propose that rLab purchase the Otti.

Comments both positive and negative invited...

Vance

To view this discussion on the web, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/reading-hackspace/2bb8735e-b67e-436c-b8a4-670a48434426n%40googlegroups.com.

Gavin

unread,
Apr 30, 2021, 10:27:37 AM4/30/21
to reading-...@googlegroups.com
I support this principle, if we can afford it. I think it would be a valuable addition for those who are working on IoT projects. 

Gavin

Richard Ibbotson

unread,
Apr 30, 2021, 2:44:40 PM4/30/21
to reading-...@googlegroups.com
Good with me.

If you want an external power supply best to buy a decent one. The recommended one is available from Farnell here. https://uk.farnell.com/xp-power/ver18us090-ja/adaptor-ac-dc-9v-2a/dp/2643254

Richard


Sent via Richard's Phone

On 30 Apr 2021, at 15:27, Gavin <gavi...@gmail.com> wrote:

I support this principle, if we can afford it. I think it would be a valuable addition for those who are working on IoT projects. 

Douglas Peters

unread,
Apr 30, 2021, 3:15:34 PM4/30/21
to rLab / Reading's Hackspace
Hello all:

I stumbled across this group by accident. This is Doug Peters the maker of the BattLab-One. Can you tell me about rLab? Is it a shared lab for makers? If so I’d be willing to donate one for the cost of shipping if you’re interested.

Best,
Doug

Douglas Peters

unread,
Apr 30, 2021, 3:15:34 PM4/30/21
to rLab / Reading's Hackspace

Mr E

unread,
Apr 30, 2021, 5:25:56 PM4/30/21
to reading-...@googlegroups.com, peter...@gmail.com
Hi Doug!

Well that would be most kind, more than happy to pay for shipping.  I'll get one of the directors to mail you off the mailing list to discuss.

We are indeed a makerspace - https://wiki.rlab.org.uk/wiki/Main_Page should fill you in about who we are and what we do.

We're about a 200 strong shared space for people to come in and make things :)  We have a laser cutter, a fairly well equipped wood and metal workshop and an electronics space upstairs.  We have members from all sorts of walks of life who enjoy making and tinkering with things.

Let me know if you want to know anything more.

All the best.

Rupert Edgar

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "rLab / Reading's Hackspace" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to reading-hacksp...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/reading-hackspace/c50e1b45-ea0d-462b-b00e-7c53b90cade2n%40googlegroups.com.

Jeremy Poulter

unread,
May 2, 2021, 6:17:22 AM5/2/21
to rLab List
Hi Doug,

Thanks for reaching out, we are indeed a shared lab/workshop for makers/hackers/generally anyone really.

We do a zoom call on every other 8PM BST Friday (week today is the next one) sort of a show and tell/general catch-up on electric projects. Would be great if you could join one and talk about the BattLab-One, and we can tell you a bit more about rLab. Can also demo the Otti if you are interested.

Cheers, 

Jeremy

Vance Briggs

unread,
May 2, 2021, 6:17:22 AM5/2/21
to Reading Hackspace, peter...@gmail.com
Doug,

I think Rupert has the overview covered.  I am a director of the makerspace / hackspace and am interested in the electronics side of things.  It is extremely generous of you to offer a free BattLab-One device and we look forward to getting acquainted with it.  We will put your details up on our Wiki on the donations received page.  We will also distribute the discount code to interested members.  Are you happy for it to be posted publicly (i.e. on this group and/or our wiki page), or would you prefer a more restricted distribution?

Regards

Vance Briggs

To view this discussion on the web, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/reading-hackspace/CAG%2BHZpkQ_9Z6zDe0Tp4CABObUuVZ5dB5VsApLA22PbrD57nJeQ%40mail.gmail.com.

Jeremy Poulter

unread,
May 2, 2021, 6:17:22 AM5/2/21
to rLab List
Ditto, I think that is a reasonable policy to have, much better for rLab to get stuff that is out side of a maker's budget. I only have mine on loan, definitely wouldn't be something I could justify buying for the time I use it.

Also thanks for highlighting the power supply Richard, I need to get one. For everyone else the device can be powered from USB and that is fine for devices < 4.5v (IIRC). The 9v PSU allows for higher voltage devices (8v, I think but don't quote me, but critically 5v devices).

Cheers,

Jeremy

To view this discussion on the web, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/reading-hackspace/334D9EDF-0D0F-4996-8358-FC88095ACAB3%40btinternet.com.

Vance Briggs

unread,
May 2, 2021, 6:17:22 AM5/2/21
to Reading Hackspace, peter...@gmail.com
Hi All,

Following this conversation where Doug Offered a free BattLab-One for use in rLab, I have now ordered it, so you will be able to get your hands on it shortly!

Secondly, He has offered a 10% discount through Tindie (https://www.tindie.com/products/bbird/battlab-one-battery-life-optimizer/) to any rLab members - If anyone is interested please email me and I will let you have the code...

Finally, there is a larger discount (Closer to 20%) available on groupgets (https://groupgets.com/campaigns/932-battlab-one), but this needs the 10 units to be ordered, so there may be a delay in getting hold of your own if you go down this route.

Vance

On Fri, 30 Apr 2021 at 22:25, Mr E <excha...@gmail.com> wrote:

Doug Peters

unread,
May 3, 2021, 12:53:48 PM5/3/21
to reading-...@googlegroups.com
Hi Jeremy,

Would love to talk about the Battlab-One! I just shipped one to Vance, so maybe when it gets there I can demo online and you guys can use it right away. Otii demo would be great too.

Thanks,
Doug

--
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages