Verdict: Functional but Outdated. The software for the Voltcraft BS-15 does its job, but it feels like legacy technology. If you are expecting a modern, polished user experience, you will be disappointed. However, for basic viewing and recording, it works.
If the official site fails, the next safest place is the Voltcraft Software Archive on GitHub (user "OpenHobbyTools" maintains legacy instrument drivers) or the Radio Museum software section. Ensure any download is signed or has a published SHA-256 hash.
| Symptom | Solution | | :--- | :--- | | Windows recognizes it but software doesn't | Right-click the COM port → Properties → Disable "Selective Suspend" in Power Management. | | Software crashes on launch | The original BS-15 software is 16-bit. Use Windows XP Mode or VirtualBox with XP. | | Baud rate mismatch | Try 2400 or 19200. The BS-15 sometimes defaults to 2400 for logging. |
The installer usually copies the driver files but does not automatically assign them. voltcraft bs-15 usb software download
\Drivers\USB).voltcraft_bs15.inf and select Install.Not recommended for beginners, but possible to rebroadcast BS-15 data over WiFi.
Background: The Voltcraft BS-15 is a low-cost USB battery diagnostic tool widely used by hobbyists and technicians to measure capacity, internal resistance, and discharge curves of NiMH, Li-ion, and lead-acid cells. However, its proprietary Windows-only software is no longer officially distributed or maintained, creating a significant usability and security risk for users seeking legacy drivers and executables from unverified third-party websites.
Objective: This paper addresses the problem of software abandonment for consumer USB instrumentation. We reverse-engineer the USB communication protocol of the Voltcraft BS-15, document its command set, and develop an open-source, cross-platform software replacement (Linux, macOS, Windows). Review: Voltcraft BS-15 Software & PC Connectivity Verdict:
Methods: Using USB packet sniffing (Wireshark/USBPcap) and binary analysis of the original (circa 2010) Windows driver, we map the HID (Human Interface Device) report descriptors and control transfers. We implement a Python library using pyusb and libusb to replicate and extend functionality, including real-time plotting, CSV logging, and automated battery profiling.
Results: The protocol was found to use simple bulk transfers with 8-byte command frames. We successfully extracted calibration constants and data formatting routines. The new software achieves ±1% accuracy compared to the original firmware-referenced values, adds native support for modern battery types (e.g., LiFePO₄), and removes the need for legacy Windows environments.
Conclusions: The Voltcraft BS-15 remains a capable instrument when liberated from its obsolete software. Our case study demonstrates a reproducible methodology for rescuing thousands of orphaned USB test instruments. We provide the full source code and compiled binaries as a public archive, eliminating the need for unsafe "software download" searches. After the software installs, do not launch it yet
Keywords: USB reverse engineering, battery tester, legacy device, open-source instrumentation, Voltcraft BS-15, HID protocol
A: Yes. The software is free. You can download it from Conrad’s website without registering a product. This is useful to test if your PC meets the requirements (Windows, .NET Framework 3.5 or 4.x).