ORIGINAL: Toguro
That makes much more sense. I guess the people who told me that didn't really know what they were talking about. So when a battery claims 30C constant, it doesn't mean it ''pushes'' that constantly, it means it is capable of that if the circuit requires it?
Correct. So, for example, a 1000mAh 30C battery could supply a maximum constant current of 1000*30 = 30000 mA = 30A, but if the load only requres 5A, 5A is all the battery supplies.
ORIGINAL: Toguro
I would think you stick an ammeter in series under normal load, but you would already have to have a power source with a discharge rate greater than what is required. Otherwise, it would just max the power source out and possible damage it.
True, the battery would need to be able to supply more then what is required, otherwise you would starve your electronics (and possibly cause a brown out).
Drawing out close to the maximum of the battery will cause it to heat up, and reduce it's lifetime.
-Dave