Battery Tester
- Thread starter bigtater
- Start date
nadogail
Well-known member
Not knowing your battery type it's a difficult question to answer.
Hydrometer is the classic tester of Lead Acid batteries.
Hydrometer is the classic tester of Lead Acid batteries.
I think hydrometers have been replaced by carbon pile load testers for the most part.
a hydrometer is ok at telling you the state of charge of a lead acid battery , or individual cells, but it wont tell you the reserve capacity a battery has .
good for saying, you have a bad cell in that battery, not much else as far as I can recall
a hydrometer is ok at telling you the state of charge of a lead acid battery , or individual cells, but it wont tell you the reserve capacity a battery has .
good for saying, you have a bad cell in that battery, not much else as far as I can recall
Chapter21
Well-known member
I use a big power inverter and a 1500w space heater. If the heater turns on it passes. 
walta
Well-known member
I love tools but do you really need to own this one at home when most places that sell batteries are happy to test yours for free? I do not recall ever having a used battery pass a test. By the time I notice a battery is weak it is generally done and I know it all the test does is confirm my feelings.
I could understand if you are a shop and are selling batteries but then you want something better with a printer that you can show the customer.
If taking the battery in for testing will not work I think something that puts a real load on the battery is the best choice. Like this $25 unit
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/SOR...5XlD5QyB9hLo6ndQfgxYcssBaZoa0hxoCb2wQAvD_BwE&
Walta
I could understand if you are a shop and are selling batteries but then you want something better with a printer that you can show the customer.
If taking the battery in for testing will not work I think something that puts a real load on the battery is the best choice. Like this $25 unit
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/SOR...5XlD5QyB9hLo6ndQfgxYcssBaZoa0hxoCb2wQAvD_BwE&
Walta
bigdav160
Well-known member
There are two technologies for battery testing - the classic load test - which simulates attempting to start the vehicle while measuring the sustained battery voltage. You could do nearly the same thing with a voltmeter and the battery installed in the vehicle. Something like what Walta linked to allows testing outside the vehicle.
The other technology is conductance testing. In most cases the results matches load testing. The benefit is the battery can be tested at a lower state of charge. In load testing the battery must start the test at 12.4 volts or better.
The other technology is conductance testing. In most cases the results matches load testing. The benefit is the battery can be tested at a lower state of charge. In load testing the battery must start the test at 12.4 volts or better.
Solar is a decent tester there are several models. I have used one for years now.
The conductance tester is the industry standard for various reasons.
The Solar and others will test the charging and starter as well. It will have selection setting to all types of batteries.
Go to Amazon or google .....search “vehicle battery tester”..........that will yield an hour or two reading and research.
Hydrometer is useless with sealed top, GEL or AGM battery.
Simple volt meter testing resting voltage is decent indicator.
It will come up.......I tested the battery parts store tested the battery it was all good. Two days later stop for gas ........came out no crank, no start. Battery crapped out.
Sudden death is a very common failure of the modern battery and vehicle. No slow crank no hint of a problem........and on slow or no crank and the battery failed.
Shorted or open cell is the usual cause........no battery tester can predict this. If your tester says weak....its likely right. If your battery is 4-5 years old in the north or 2-3 years in the south your on borrowed time as far as the averages. Of course averages are average so 2 years and 8 gets you 5 average.
The conductance tester is the industry standard for various reasons.
The Solar and others will test the charging and starter as well. It will have selection setting to all types of batteries.
Go to Amazon or google .....search “vehicle battery tester”..........that will yield an hour or two reading and research.
Hydrometer is useless with sealed top, GEL or AGM battery.
Simple volt meter testing resting voltage is decent indicator.
It will come up.......I tested the battery parts store tested the battery it was all good. Two days later stop for gas ........came out no crank, no start. Battery crapped out.
Sudden death is a very common failure of the modern battery and vehicle. No slow crank no hint of a problem........and on slow or no crank and the battery failed.
Shorted or open cell is the usual cause........no battery tester can predict this. If your tester says weak....its likely right. If your battery is 4-5 years old in the north or 2-3 years in the south your on borrowed time as far as the averages. Of course averages are average so 2 years and 8 gets you 5 average.
Buckaroo5
Well-known member
I have been using the Clore BA7 for 5+ years. I test and note the tested CCA on my regular maintenance checks to monitor battery status. It works fine - would like to have a midtronics but they are a lot more expensive.
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
I have an Ancel BA301. It's been good for me and didn't cost a load of money.
Tommy
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Tommy