# Low-cost electronic DC load module design for battery capacity evaluation

## TL;DR

This paper presents an affordable and versatile electronic DC load module for evaluating battery capacity, suitable for small labs and researchers.

## Contribution

A low-cost, modular DC load design with multiple testing modes and scalability for battery evaluation.

## Key findings

- The module can operate continuously at up to 50W per unit.
- It supports various tests like constant current, resistor, power, and HPPC.
- The design is user-friendly and accessible for academic and small-scale research.

## Abstract

Rapid advancements in energy storage technology spurred by the use of electricity in a variety of applications have brought attention to the critical need for precise battery capacity evaluation. The electronic DC load devices play an important role in those tests by replicating real-world discharge conditions. However, commercial DC load systems are often prohibitively expensive and remain largely inaccessible to small enterprises, academic laboratories, and independent researchers. While open-source alternatives offer cost advantages, many existing designs lack scalability, flexibility, and ease of use. This study proposes a low-cost, modular electronic DC load capable of continuous operation at up to 50W per module. With its user-friendly interface and support for numerous other tests, including constant current, constant resistor, constant power, battery evaluation, and high-power pulse charge (HPPC) the proposed electronic DC load is robust and simple to use for battery research and evaluation.