Flexible continuous load unit/monitor interface for battery capacity testing

A battery backup system comprising:

• a battery string,
• a battery monitor configured to provide a per-cell voltage and a battery string voltage of the battery string;
• and
• a battery capacity testing unit operatively coupled to the battery string and the battery monitor, the battery capacity testing unit comprising:
• a load input port configured to receive a controlled discharge from the battery string;
• a data output port configured to transmit battery capacity data to the battery monitor, wherein the battery capacity data comprises a battery string current measurement across a shunt of a load bank;
• a housing, wherein the housing is separate from the battery string and the battery monitor;
• one or more processors operatively coupled to the load input port and the data output port;
• and
• a memory with instruction stored upon, that when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
• receive the controlled discharge from the load input port;
• generate capacity data based on the controlled discharge;
• transmit the capacity data to at least one of the battery monitor or a user device;
• and
• based on the battery string current measurement and at least one of the per-cell voltage or the battery string voltage, calculate a predicted lifespan of the battery string.

A method comprising:

• operatively coupling a battery capacity testing unit to a battery string;
• operatively coupling the battery capacity testing unit to a battery monitor, wherein the battery capacity testing unit comprises housing that is separate from the battery string and the battery monitor;
• performing a battery capacity test on a controlled discharge from the battery string, comprising:
• transmitting an instruction to the battery string to transmit the controlled discharge to the battery capacity testing unit;
• transmitting the controlled discharge to a load input port of the battery capacity testing unit;
• generating capacity data based on the controlled discharge, wherein the capacity data comprises a battery string current measurement across a shunt of a load bank;
• and
• transmitting the capacity data to the battery monitor;
• providing at least one of a per-cell voltage or a battery string voltage of the battery string via the battery monitor;
• and
• based on the battery string current measurement and at least one of the per-cell voltage or the battery string voltage, calculating a predicted lifespan of the battery string.