Battery Tester

[Chadwilliam1]

I am looking for a quality battery tester to test mostly 12v but some 6v and some 12 v batteries cars and motorcycles mostly. I have a budget of 500 dollars. I was looking at the snap on EECS350. I couldn't find many reviews on it. I don't want to assume because it says snap on its a quality battery tester. I see EECS550A with a wireless screen but I am not sure how handy that will be. I have never owned my own battery tester I usually take them to get tested.

So what is the best battery tester in my price range?

Thanks

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[Fedwrench]

I would look at either Midtronics' offerings or Launch has one that is gaining popularity.

 

[Htscheg]

Midtronics is a great brand and a very usefull tool in the araenal!! I have one and its worked great for three years and still going strong!

 

[zmotorsports]

I have a Midtronics tester at home and love it. I like the ability to test just a battery or the starting and/or charging systems together or separate.

I also purchased a nice carbon pile tester a few years ago that works great to test batteries under heavy load. I've found for RV's this works very well with the deep cycle batteries.

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you are a DIYer, put your money back in your pocket ! The only thing you need to do a proper test on a lead acid starting battery is a small bucket, water, baking soda, stiff brush, battery terminal brush, a decent battery charger and a good volt meter and some time and effort !

• Clean the outside with water and backing soda and a brush. Repeat until there is no more foaming. Rinse well with fresh water.
• Remove battery terminals and clean with tool.
• Connect the charger. If the battery is low, it will take at least 12 hours to charge. Once charged, let it "rest" for about 30 minutes.
• Check the voltage at the battery posts. write it down. It should be about 12.8V
• Turn on your headlights. Check the voltage at the battery posts. It should only be down 0.2-0.5 volts. Leave the lights on for about 15 minutes.
• Turn off your headlights. Check the voltage at the battery posts. Anything below 12.5V shows that the battery is getting old. Below 12.0V start shopping for a new battery !

IMHO, the BEST battery/alternator/starting system tester was the old Sun VAT 20/26/28. The 33 had a built in tach, but was really unnecessary. Finding one in good working condition is difficult.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have a Midtronics tester at home and love it. I like the ability to test just a battery or the starting and/or charging systems together or separate.

I also purchased a nice carbon pile tester a few years ago that works great to test batteries under heavy load. I've found for RV's this works very well with the deep cycle batteries.

Any battery tester that does NOT have a carbon pile load can not do a good test.

 

[cdeer001]

Something like this? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000F5HU6C/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Marvin Hagen]

I have a Midtronics at work been using it for ten years you can use it on lead acid, Gel, boat and lawn mower not cheap.

 

[Showkey]

Any battery tester that does NOT have a carbon pile load can not do a good test.

Carbon pile testing went out of favor 20 years ago
When other testing methods were introduced and have become main stream accepted practice.

https://batteryuniversity.com/learn...rent_test_methods_provide_dissimilar_readings


https://www.tirereview.com/why-is/

 

[mrvm]

• Clean the outside with water and backing soda and a brush. Repeat until there is no more foaming. Rinse well with fresh water.
• Remove battery terminals and clean with tool.
• Connect the charger. If the battery is low, it will take at least 12 hours to charge. Once charged, let it "rest" for about 30 minutes.
• Check the voltage at the battery posts. write it down. It should be about 12.8V
• Turn on your headlights. Check the voltage at the battery posts. It should only be down 0.2-0.5 volts. Leave the lights on for about 15 minutes.
• Turn off your headlights. Check the voltage at the battery posts. Anything below 12.5V shows that the battery is getting old. Below 12.0V start shopping for a new battery !

Interesting list of steps... on a questionable 4-5 yr old battery I should be able to skip a few steps and start with leaving the head lights on for 15 minutes after a full charge or long drive.....?

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Any battery tester that does NOT have a carbon pile load can not do a good test.

My picoscope disagrees.

SMA shows it off. I can do an extended drop test and voltage drop all the connections at the same time if I like. Quick and easy, using the perfect load, the engine the system is designed to start. If one has access to a scope, you can do some pretty in depth battery and starting system tests. Like inspecting the contacts on the solenoid, grabbing relative compression while you're in there, etc.



I will agree, the capacitance testers can miss some major issues. Not that any customer would every replace a battery before it completely fails anyways.