Cheap 18650 Battery Tester: Review

Works nice. The power plug receptor seems a bit fragile, but it is a nicely designed unit. Especially nice is that you can set the discharge cut off level, and measure the mAh available. Great for getting good figures if you have a power pack of the same cells for your e-Vehicle - (you test one and assume the similarity for the full pack of cells). If you have smart chargers for your pack you can set the high and low voltages. Tests take several hours.

I am just getting started salvaging 18650's from laptop and cordless tools and this device taught me a lot. Cute buttons and the LED lights and Display made understanding the analysing process clear.

What makes this inexpensive (as in cheap) analyzer especially nice is the 4 standoffs, one at each corner, (<-- see pic) that give it legs which give the backside legroom so the board is not laying on the table or workbench surface - or a solid way of mounting it.

If every product had as much quality and design thoughtfulness - dollar for dollar - the world would be a better place. Check out my video above and links below.

Review 18650 Li-ion Lithium Lead-acid Battery Capacity Meter Discharge Tester Analyzer.

A good overview of the same product by someone experienced in electronics and mentioned in my video is by EHobbyMan:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8luUE2aaHn8

WARNING: Take extra care not to short out these or any other electrically charged batteries. There are many videos offering great safety rules and tips. This is one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqhXKsJgNqQ

I have been collecting old battery packs from cordless drills, etc, taking them apart and salvaging the good cells (the 18650's). In handling these salvaged or even new cells - be safe and follow the safety tips in the link above.
In general you can tell if a battery is in good salvageable condition if it has a voltage above 2.5 Volts, but battery types vary. By first charging (the good ones charge to about 4.2 Volts), then running a test that discharges the batter to 3.0 Volts you can measure the working capacity of each cell you use, expressed in this video in milliamp Hours or abbreviated as "mAh".

Sort those same or nearly same capacity in mAh's into different groups for your ebike or other e-vehicle. Again, this is explained in the safety link above. Use the less capacity cells individually or in small packs for things like flashlights where dependability is not as critical. And for the damaged or poorly performing or non-performing (dead) cells, recycle at your local battery or hardware store.

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Product links below are monetized affiliate links through VigLink - now SOVRN//Commerce
Check out VigLink: viglink.com/?vgref=408410

18650 Li-ion Lithium Lead-acid Battery Capacity Meter Discharge Tester Analyzer.
https://bit.ly/2RqDIcP
The plastic end caps are VRUZEND battery kit V1.6 for up to 52 18650 cells:
https://bit.ly/2GrS9Xv
Other products I use and enjoy are:
Juiced eBikes:
https://bit.ly/2tQFU3U

Ryobi 18-Volt ONE+ Cordless Reciprocating Saw:
https://bit.ly/2tai0k3

Diablo Nail-Embedded Wood and Metal Cutting Bi-Metal Reciprocating Saw Blade Set (6-Piece):
https://bit.ly/2QStbXw

Vertical Pit Biochar Method

1. Pits and Trenches are cheap (labor but no cost).
2. Pits and Trenches reflect radiant heat back into the fuel.
3. Pit and Trench fires are easy to get close to and work around.
4. Once squelched, the biochar can be covered with earth and left - no handling.
5. Pit and Trench fired biochar processes with chimneys marry the efficiencies of both top-lit and rocket stove methods. (I am beginning to think that under the right conditions this represents efficiencies that play out on a microscopic level.)
6. Biochar smothers the biochar beneath it.
7. Biochar does not hold or conduct heat when not burning, therefore
8. Once squelched, the biochar is cool to touch, and
9. Squelching the biochar is only needed for the top layer (coals are alive only to a depth of 2 to 4 inches, the biochar under that is already smothered and cooling).
10. Biochar is a good (though burnable) insulator.
11. Earth is a fireproof and a good insulator once dry but also holds heat.

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(My other BioChar videos: https://richardhroth.blogspot.com/2020/01/mediocre-old-man-videos-library-of.html)
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This is a prototype using salvaged materials. I found the pipe at the local Habitat for Humanity's ReStore (https://www.habitat.org/restores) It came as a 3' section of double walled insulated pipe which puts it at an excellent height to put a grill over for cooking. The chimney came with a flange that extended the base diameter to 24". (Very near the diameter of a 55 gallon barrel or barrel lid.) The inner insulated pipe had a diameter of 10" (outside) 9" (inside), and the outer had a diameter of 12", but I have also used a 10 inch chimney pipe (also from the ReStore) in this pit that worked fine as well.
This video is of the 4th time I used this particular pit to make char. The hole is about 2.5' deep and about 14' to 16" diameter with a 45 degree angled trench to the bottom for feeding in the stick fuel. There is no reason why a pit, once full, needs to be emptied. The char in it can be covered with earth and left and another pit dug. I did do this on an open trench burn. (Find video links to open trench and follow up review several months later by clicking on my indexed videos above.)
After 3 to 4 hours of feeding the fire the pit is full to within 4 inches of the top and in this trial produced about 13 gallons of good char. The high flames are not typical of the majority of this burn and is a waste of good heat. I had been burning damp fuel and brush, some green, for the majority of the burn, which - after getting it started - worked well, but ended the burn with some dry 2" and 3" fuel and the high flames that could have been controlled by careful hand feeding.

Note that at the end of the video I squelched the char and within 60 seconds stuck my hand down into the char. The soil, because it holds heat, continued to steam for several minutes. I dug out the char from the pit two days later and under the surface of the char the soil was still warm to touch

Feel free to share.

Butte County Board of Supervisors Election 2020

Butte County Board of Supervisors: 
Candidate Statements
Info taken from: https://clerk-recorder.buttecounty.net/elections/archives/eln44/44_voter_info_guide.pdf
(see all the filings and initial candidates statements.)

Candidates side by side.

Election Day is March 3rd. If you are signed in for Mail In Ballots they should begin arriving in a couple of weeks.

Please Vote!

Candidates

Candidate Name:  Bill Connelly	Unopposed
Office:  County Supervisor, District 1
Occupation:  Small Business Owner
It is an honor to serve on your behalf as your County Supervisor. Together we must never slow in our endeavors to improve District 1 and Butte County. With your continued help and support I will work for a five lane highway to Marysville, safer and cleaner communities, and economic development. Our County has suffered many declared disasters in the last few years. I was there during each event from the Spillway failure to the Campfire, fighting for relief and economic compensation for our citizens. You and your family's safety will always be my most important consideration. I have greatly enjoyed serving you while working to improve this area I love and call home. I am a member of the Fellows Club, Eagles, Moose, American Legion, Rotary, Native Sons, and the Veteran's Memorial Park Committee. While enjoying the endorsement of the Farm Bureau, the Sheriff, the D.A., and many others, the most important endorsement is your vote. I humbly request you allow me to serve you as the District 1 Supervisor.

Candidate Name:  Sue Hilderbrand	Candidate Name:  Tod Kimmelshue
Office:  County Supervisor, District 4	Office:  County Supervisor, District 4
Occupation:  Businesswoman/Administrator/ Educator	family farmer, retired ag finance advisor and lifelong community volunteer.
While volunteering over six months in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, I experienced the outpouring of generosity in the recovery.  I also witnessed forces that sought to capitalize on the disaster for profit.  Displaced people were unable to return home, having little say in the (re)building of their communities, as secondary impacts in surrounding areas caused by Katrina were ignored.      Development is coming to post‐Camp Fire Butte County, and outside interests are eyeing our water and resources. The residents of District 4 must work together to ensure representation, and to have our concerns and needs met. I am committed to protecting all well‐users, protecting land rights and our farmlands, and creating economic opportunities.    With a background in strategic planning, public policy and community development, along with a gift of getting diverse people to work together, I am uniquely qualified to lead District 4.  I’ve managed multi‐million‐dollar budgets for the State of Arizona and served as CEO and project administrator for local non‐profit organizations.  I am also a media consultant and producer, and owner of a local production company.  I served in Morocco as a Peace Corps Volunteer and I’ve taught political science at Chico State and Butte College since 2005.	I’m Tod Kimmelshue, My wife Sherri and I have been married for 33 years and we have two sons. I would be honored to be your next County Supervisor. As the ONLY farmer on the Board of Supervisors, I will make sure our agricultural industry continues to thrive. As Vice Chairman of the Butte County Water Commission, I know the issues and can help STOP any grab of our water. My parents instilled in me the importance of giving back to the community. Throughout the years, I’ve served as President of the local Chamber of Commerce, Butte County Farm Bureau, and the local Rotary Club. As a father and Sunday School teacher, I’ve passed along these values of giving back to others.    I'm endorsed by Sheriff Kory Honea, the Butte County Farm Bureau, the Butte County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, the Professional Firefighters of CAL‐FIRE, and the Mayors of both Biggs and Gridley. See my full list of 700+ endorsements at www.NutsforTod.com.   Feel free to call or email with any questions you have about my candidacy. I can be reached at (530) 570‐1076 or Tod@NutsforTod.com. I’d be honored to earn your vote.

Nombre del Candidato:  Tod Kimmelshue	Nombre de la Candidata:  Sue Hilderbrand
Cargo:  Supervisor del Condado, Distrito 4	Cargo:  Supervisora del Condado, Distrito 4
agricultor familiar, consejero financiero agrícola retirado y voluntario de la comunidad de toda la vida	Ocupación:  Empresaria, administradora y educadora
Soy Tod Kimmelshue, Mi esposa Sherri y yo hemos estado casados durante 33 años y tenemos dos hijos. Me honraría ser su próximo Supervisor del Condado. Como el ÚNICO agricultor en la Junta de Supervisores, me aseguraré de que nuestra industria agrícola continúe prosperando. Como vicepresidente de la Comisión del Agua del Condado de Butte, sé cuáles son los problemas y puedo ayudar a IMPEDIR que tomen nuestra agua. Mis padres me inculcaron la importancia de retribuir a la comunidad. A través de los años, he servido como Presidente de la Cámara de Comercio local, de la Oficina de agricultura del Condado de Butte y del Club Rotario local. Como padre y maestro de la escuela dominical, he transmitido estos valores de retribuir a los demás.   Estoy avalado por el alguacil Kory Honea, la Oficina de Agricultura del condado de Butte, el diputado de la Asociación del alguacil adjunto del condado de Butte, los bomberos profesionales de CAL‐FIRE y los alcaldes tanto de Biggs como de Gridley. Vea mi lista completa de más de 700 avales en www.NutsforTod.com.   No dude en llamar o mandar un correo electrónico con cualquier pregunta que tenga sobre mi candidatura. Me puede contactar al (530) 570‐1076 o en Tod@NutsforTod.com. Sería un honor para mí ganar su voto.	Durante mi voluntariado de más de seis meses en New Orleans después del huracán Katrina, experimenté lo que es la generosidad desbordada en la recuperación.  También fui testigo de fuerzas que buscaron capitalizar el desastre para beneficiarse.  Las personas que fueron desplazadas no pudieron regresar a su hogar, y tuvieron poca voz en la (re)construcción de sus comunidades, ya que los impactos secundarios causados por Katrina en los alrededores fueron ignorados.      Se avecina el desarrollo al Condado de Butte después de los incendios, y hay intereses externos que están mirando detenidamente nuestra agua y recursos. Los residentes del Distrito 4 tenemos que trabajar juntos para asegurarnos de que haya representación, y para que se cubran nuestras inquietudes y necesidades. Estoy comprometida a proteger a todos los usuarios de pozos, a proteger los derechos sobre la tierra y nuestros campos de cultivo, y a crear oportunidades económicas.      Con una formación en planificación estratégica, política pública y desarrollo comunitario, junto con el don de lograr que personas diversas trabajen juntas, estoy especialmente calificada para liderar el Distrito 4.  He administrado presupuestos multimillonarios para el estado de Arizona y he servido como directora general y administradora de proyectos para organizaciones sin fines de lucro locales.  Soy también una productora y consultora de medios, y propietaria de una compañía de producción local.  Serví en Marruecos como voluntaria de los Cuerpos de Paz y he enseñado ciencias políticas en Chico State y en Butte College desde 2005.

Candidate Name:  Henry Schleiger	Candidate Name:  Doug Teeter       Age:  52
Office:  County Supervisor, District 5	Office:  County Supervisor, District 5
	Occupation:  Small Business Owner
Butte County, and particularly District 5, face unprecedented challenges ‐ but also a once‐in‐a lifetime opportunity to adjust the course of our community towards a more prosperous, healthy and well‐connected future for all Northstate families. My leadership skills (shaped by the US Navy, crafted in my wildland fire career, and demonstrated as Donkey Derby Champion) are uniquely positioned to gather consensus and deliver solutions in this polarized political moment.   The education I bring from Pyrogeography and from Rural and Town Planning, and my experience on the county Planning Commission, inform my views in a particularly broad, large‐scale, and long‐term frame. And without any compromises from developers or big businesses, I clearly see a future for foothill families ‐ free from fear ‐ and an environmentally conscious, and profitable, return to working the gift we’ve been given, the fertile earth!   My wife, Rachel, and I, are proud parents of our own precious gift, 2‐year old Lincoln. His future may take him anywhere, but I hope to create, for all of the families of Butte County, a place that leads our region in innovation, intelligence and quality of life – that will beckon them back home, to our safe, fun, beautiful community.	We have all been affected greatly as a result of the Camp Fire.  Like many of you, we lost friends, our home and my wife’s business.  My heart weighs heavily for the community I grew up in.    The challenges are many for those of us rebuilding as well as those with surviving homes.  My greatest concerns have always been public safety and balanced budgets.  Now more than ever, our county needs to spend your tax dollars wisely.  To keep those within the fire area safe as well as improve the safety of those residing in our remaining heavily forested areas.    As a past forest firefighter and member of the Fire Safe Council, we need to reduce our fuel loads to ensure our homes and roads are safe.  I am proud to have earned Sheriff Honea’s endorsement for my commitment to public safety. I will continue to advocate for policies guarding our water resources, protecting agricultural lands, improve our economy and preserve access to public forests.  I will listen to you, work fairly and vigorously on your behalf, and represent you.    It has been an honor to serve as your Butte County Supervisor.  I respectfully ask again for your vote. www.dougteeter.com     530‐774‐4678

Mediocre Old Man Videos: A Library of Links to my Video's

Since the early 2000's I have been making and posting videos online. It was the dawn of online video's when I started and an exciting time for the web. I enrolled in the Masters Program at CSU, Chico in Instructional Technology and bought a high quality camera.

Organized by the topics of my wandering interests, here they are - arranged by the topics as they are of current interest to me. (I will add others as I make them.)
Biochar, Cover Crops, BioGas: This has been a learning process, but you can backtrack through my experimental process to where I begin to explore and develop my understanding of what biochar is and how biochar can be made, and how biochar combined with cover crops will very likely play a significant role in sequestering atmospheric carbon. Videos are listed roughly from most recent at the top - to earliest at the bottom: #biochar #CO2 #Sequestration
Biochar: 1 Hour Update after lighting the underground biochar baking oven: https://youtu.be/ReGB0T1TDLo
Biochar: #2 Baking BioChar in Earth Pit Oven : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZSf7oPsgMg
Biochar: Baking BioChar Underground: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6ERHFU4-xI
Biochar: Vertical Pit Method with Chimney Backyard BioChar. https://youtu.be/zsHBvRBr4ug
Biochar: Demonstration of the ROI CARBONIZER #3 . https://youtu.be/hiRXox6J2IQ
Biochar: Demonstration of the ROI CARBONIZER #2 . https://youtu.be/Lxh1AdBM-OI
Biochar: Demonstration of the ROI CARBONIZER #1 . https://youtu.be/EAuZhtFtHGc
Cover Crops: Trimming back the Chia cover crop in my late season trellised cucumber patch (time-lapse). https://youtu.be/zQdN1CVaZnc
Cover Crops: The Secrets Under Cover: Pill Bugs Under Cover  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlU3zohzW_E&t=190s
Biochar & Cover Crops: Deep Trench Biochar Review after First Winter . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfgyP5TzLrA
Biochar: Making BioChar Free & Easy In Your Wood Stove-Part3/3 https://youtu.be/Y57sukVqtcA
Biochar: Making BioChar Free & Easy In Your Wood Stove-Part2/3 https://youtu.be/zsHBvRBr4ug
Biochar: Making BioChar Free & Easy In Your Wood Stove-Part1/3 https://youtu.be/G_-ebNH3Tpc

Electric Conversion of 3 older small Cultivating Tractors (A TuffBilt and two Farmall Cubs) None of this would have been possible without the full collaboration and manufacturing shop resources of long time friend and owner of Valley Oak Tool Company, David Grau.

Electrical Vehicle Conversion: Electric TuffBilt Tractor Conversion . https://youtu.be/GlZapfCm0ZE
Electrical Vehicle Conversion: Breaking Down a Farmall Cub to Clean & Repair in process of Converting to All Electric Tractor. https://youtu.be/A_pHbyRTPt8
Electrical Vehicle Conversion: Electric Farmall Cub Conversion: Field testing our first Farmall Cub Conversion . https://youtu.be/jyPeWgn4rRE
Electrical Vehicle Conversion: All Electric Farmall Cub being Driven onto a Trailer . https://youtu.be/MJxLuK8rjVQ
Electrical Vehicle Conversion: Amber Bailey Drives the Electric Tuff-Bilt Tractor . https://youtu.be/_3dzmB2WHcY

Monetized Blogs with Videos: I started posting monetized instruction and review videos and allowing ads to my web presence.

Cheap 18650 Battery Tester: Reviewhttps://richardhroth.blogspot.com/2020/01/cheap-18650-battery-tester-review.html

Mediocre Guy Rips Open Saw Blade Packaging for Moneyhttps://richardhroth.blogspot.com/2020/01/mediocre-guy-rips-open-saw-blade_37.html

Monetizing My Social Media:

Mediocre Guy Rips Open Saw Blade Packaging for Money

Some of the Product links below are monetized affiliate links through VigLink - now SOVRN//Commerce Check out VigLink

Juiced eBikes: https://bit.ly/2tQFU3U
Ryobi 18-Volt ONE+ Cordless Reciprocating Saw: https://bit.ly/2tai0k3
Diablo Nail-Embedded Wood and Metal Cutting Bi-Metal Reciprocating Saw Blade Set (6-Piece): https://bit.ly/2QStbXw

APEMAN Action Camera 4K WiFi 16MP Ultra HD Underwater 30M Waterproof with Remote Control Sports Camera: https://bit.ly/366FFiq

Conversion to ALL ELECTRIC of Farmall Cub Cultivating Tractor

This is a Walkthrough of the Farmall Cub tractor: My friend David Grau and I put together a few years ago at his company Valley Oak Tool Company, which manufactures wheel hoes, broadforks, and garden tools. This tractor was sold to a farm north of Seattle. This video was made to familiarize them a little with the different components of the revamped machine.

I am in the process of putting files on line so other DIY'ers can use or adapt as they see fit.

Here is a partial list of the conversion items as purchased as a package from http://www.evamerica.com/ (they were a great help) along with the costs at the time of their purchase:

QTY DESCRIPTION PRICE PRICE
DRIVE SYSTEM 1 A00-4009 Advanced DC Motor ( 24V - 72V ) 2HP - 12HP 1 ALLTrax AXE-4834 Controller 24-48V 300 Amp Limit 1 PB-6 Curtis Potbox 1 Albright Contactor SW-80P (12V coil)
BATTERY SYSTEM 1 Quick Charge Charger Programmable SCO-48-15 48VDC 115VAC 15Amps 8 1 Gauge Battery Terminal Protective Covers ( Red & Black ) 12 ft 1 gauge Cable 25 Heavy Duty Lugs- 1 gauge 3 ft Heat Shrink with sealant
INSTRUMENTATION 1 ElCon Fuel Gauge 48VDC 1 0-200 Ammeter (Westberg 2in Black) 1 50 mV Shunt - 200A
SAFETY 1 ANN-300 Fuse and Fuseholder 1 Pair Anderson connectors SBX-175 1 Fuseholder (4) - Control Board
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
1 EVA Installation Manual N/C includes drawings, manufacturers data, etc

Straight-Sided BioChar Pit with Chimney

There are four things I wanted to demonstrate with this video.
1, a straight side biochar pit with 3.5 foot chimney is cool to work around even when roaring,
2, That squelching a straight side biochar pit is very quick and easy,
3, that char - once out - holds no noticeable heat
4, that such a system is probably cleaner and safer to cook over than a barbeque.

The last segment is shot continuous from when I tipped over the chimney - tipped the wheelboro - squelched the fire - then dug my hand into the center of the char to a depth of about 6 or 8 inches (the char was cool to touch in less than 60 seconds) and then rinsed the char off my hand in a bit of rainwater. Then back to the squelched char to see the steam rising - not from the char but from the hot earth around it.

This week I had attended 2 of the 5 biochar workshops organized by Steve Feher and research interns from Butte College's MESA Program then coaxed Kelpie Wilson and co-conspirator (?_______?), Steve Feher and Preston Englant, over to my place to witness my "Pit with Chimney" method. This video was taken after they left, but there is about 2 feet of biochar in this round - straight-sided pit. I am finishing off the char with some 2 to 3 inch dried and cured sticks. Most of the earlier feedstock had been cured but damp and there had been a good deal of steam and some smoke. The dried wood, and the nearness of the chimney to the fuel made the system work much much more like a rocket stove. There is about 15 gallons of char produced in a system tamed, contained, and clean enough to cook over.