Battery Charger and Tester

[dylanmitchell]

Put in a new NAPA legend Professional 735 and looking at battery testers and chargers. I do short trips and periodically need to charge the battery. I've also had a few batteries go bad.
Looking at CTEK CT5 time to go charger and Midtronics PBT300 tester. Anyone has experience with these? Alternator and starter tested ok at the mechanic, but the battery failed the test, so I replaced it.
Chasing down the quality battery is hard East Penn 735 series/ Napa Legend Professional are supposed to be better than Interstate batteries.

 

[theoldwizard1]

The simplest and IMHO way of testing a battery takes a bit of time and a good DMM.

• Charge the battery for at least 12 hour
• Let rest for 1/2 hour
• Check voltage. It should be about 12.8V
• Turn on head lights and high beam. Wait about 10-15 minutes. Battery should be above 12V.

 

[dogdog]

you might have some short/ large parasitic drain in the car like my old Jetta (for me it is mostly likely interior lights or ABS). It charges and runs fine but if I leave the battery and car parked for a months or two, the battery dies. Even with the AGM and higher capacity one. So dunno.

That Midtronic is expensive. Not sure... I just ordered a Cheapie that is on sale now.. arriving today.

Amazon.com: ANCEL BA301 6V 12V Car Battery Load Tester Alternator Analyzer Automotive Battery Cranking and Charging System Test Tool for Motorcycle, Car, Boat, Light Truck and More: Industrial & Scientific

Buy ANCEL BA301 6V 12V Car Battery Load Tester Alternator Analyzer Automotive Battery Cranking and Charging System Test Tool for Motorcycle, Car, Boat, Light Truck and More: Battery Testers - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

$48.** +tax shipped with the promote code ANCELBA301 and coupon amazon discount on that check box.. not too bad from youtube reviews. no experiences with it. Figure I need one to check if it is really the old car or the Battery or both...

 

[dylanmitchell]

Alernator and starter tested OK at mechanic and he didn't see a drain but there's probably a small drain that I haven't found yet.

Have a Fluke 117 I can test with.

PBT100 is abou $100 less

Midtronics Advanced Battery Conductance Tester

Midtronics Advanced Battery Conductance Tester

www.tooltopia.com

you might have some short/ large parasitic drain in the car like my old Jetta (for me it is mostly likely interior lights or ABS). It charges and runs fine but if I leave the battery and car parked for a months or two, the battery dies. Even with the AGM and higher capacity one. So dunno.

That Midtronic is expensive. Not sure... I just ordered a Cheapie that is on sale now.. arriving today.

Amazon.com: ANCEL BA301 6V 12V Car Battery Load Tester Alternator Analyzer Automotive Battery Cranking and Charging System Test Tool for Motorcycle, Car, Boat, Light Truck and More: Industrial & Scientific

Buy ANCEL BA301 6V 12V Car Battery Load Tester Alternator Analyzer Automotive Battery Cranking and Charging System Test Tool for Motorcycle, Car, Boat, Light Truck and More: Battery Testers - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

$48.** +tax shipped with the promote code ANCELBA301 and coupon amazon discount on that check box.. not too bad from youtube reviews. no experiences with it. Figure I need one to check if it is really the old car or the Battery or both...

 

[dogdog]

It's up to you, I will pick up mine BA301 tomorrow (it got shipped to a different address). The PBT seems to have limited functions, not too sure, looks dumbed down version with less verbose feedback. Their professional series that are more $$$$$ are at most shops. I know when i have to warranty my battery at Sams Club, that gunhoe mechanic wanted to tell me that it can recharge it when I have tried multiple chargers at home from smart, desulfating, to dumb and dumbest charger failed for months...... but it tested good according to his Miditronic charger/analyzer.. I just laughed. No the battery did not take charge and failed about 1 hours later while I am shopping there.