This new version has a new CSV export utility to provide a full test information header to be included with the export. There is a new Lab Calibrate feature for advanced users and there is compensation for the most accurate voltage readings directly at the CBA's Powerpole connector.

Version 1.0.7.1 through this version, 1.0.8.1 supports 12 bit high accuracy current set mode. The 12 bit current mode allows high resolution current set below 3 Amps and operation below 0.5 amps. This software version is downwardly compatible with the original CBA units but the operation for older units is not updated by the software. An older CBA MK I requires a hardware/firmware update which is available (see below).

This update is a self extracting .exe file. Download and "run" this update but make sure that you DO NOT have the old CBA program running when you install this update.

Plug in the CBA and Windows should pop up a "New hardware found" window. "Tell" the hardware installation wizard that you "have disc" and browse to C:/Program Files/West Mountain Radio/CBA/Drivers and continue. The CBA drivers will be installed and the CBA should be ready to use.

If you already plugged in the CBA and the drivers were not correctly installed because you didn't know where the drivers were located then open, Start, Settings, Control Panel, System, Hardware, Device Manager and find the incompletely installed "WMR CBA".

Right click and highlight the CBA and select "Properties". Select "Drive" and re-install the drivers by telling Windows that the drivers are located at C:/Program Files/West Mountain Radio/CBA/Drivers. You may have to re-boot your computer to put the correct driver installation into effect.

In order to have the CBA operate over the range of 0-40 Amps there must be some engineering trade-offs. We have two different current setting modes in a CBA II. The way that the CBA II works below 3 amps is to set its current by using a lookup table. This is done with 12 bit resolution according to individually calibrated tables in each CBA. 12 bits means that there are 4096 digital level steps from 0 to 3 amps: approximately .001 Amps each.

From 3 to 40 amps discharge we set the current approximately and using software feedback set the current to match the reading of the CBA's individually calibrated internal current measuring circuit. This measurement is done with 10 bit resolution, 1024 steps, or approximately .05 amps per step.

For a user seeking the highest possible accuracy it we have included a feature in the software to calibrate the CBA's current against a very accurate external amp meter. We only recommend doing this if you are discharging at 0.1 amps or lower and you own a lab grade ammeter capable of measuring current better than plus or minus 0.5 % accuracy.

To use this feature simply connect your external meter and run a battery test in the current range that you wish to run at. Note the difference between the CBA's current reading and your external meter. From the software then set in that difference in current. Re-start the test to see the results of changing the calibration. You should be able to achieve one data level better accuracy.

Be aware that the CBA is more accurate than most hobby grade meters so do not attempt to calibrate a CBA against anything except precision lab equipment.

There are two possible causes for this behavior, either the CBA is plugged in to an external USB hub (instead of directly to USB port built in to the computer) or several users have reported that they did not follow the Windows Plug&Play driver installation prompts carefully and allowed Windows to "choose" the incorrect driver for the CBA instead of "telling" Windows to use the correct driver only available on the CBA CD ROM.

Go to "Start", "Settings", "Control Panel" and continue until you find the CBA driver files installed. To help find the files from the Control Panel".

Look at our screen shot of the windows and tabs that must be selected through in number order to find the driver information: Driver check screens

You MUST see at least the two files Cygf32x.sys and CygLib.sys listed as driver files. If these two files are not there, DO NOT expect your CBA to work!

To fix this you must remove the incorrect driver files and re-install the correct files directly from the CBA CD ROM. Note: the driver files may also be found at C:/Program Files/West Mountain Radio/CBA/Drivers/ . We are sorry but we cannot exactly describe procedure to fix an incorrect installation as the procedure is different with different versions of Windows.

Once you have successfully corrected an incorrect installation you will see the correct driver files listed.

It appears that certain computers and versions of Windows that USB ports are disabled, ignored or some how made inoperative when various power saving features automatically activate.

Even thought we recommend against running unattended battery tests, at least one person walked away while his computer went to sleep and over-discharged a battery.

The only sleep mode we would recommend is turning off your monitor. Suspending hard drives, hibernating and other power saving schemes are not compatible with sustaining the necessary USB communication to run a battery test.

Right click anywhere on your desktop, click Properties, Screen Saver and then Power. Check to make sure that the time for these features to activate is either much longer than your proposed battery tests or disable all power saving features.

If you have not already installed a recent software version, 1.0.7.1 or higher, install the newest version above. Go to "Help" "About" and check if your hardware supports high accuracy DACurrent mode. If it does support DACurrent mode you have the latest CBA MK II version and you do not need or want an update.

If you have the old unit you may wish to have the update done by us. The major improvement will be four times the current set resolution only below 3 Amps and you will also be able to conduct tests below 0.5 amps.