Have you ever really thought about how much time you spend just testing one battery? The YUASA Digital Battery Tester (Drag # 3807-0001) is designed to simplify this procedure and give you accurate test results.
The below article is from Counterman Magazine.
YUASA Digital Battery Tester [3807-0001]
• Takes the guesswork out of battery testing
• Easy to use - just clamp tester onto battery terminals, select battery type and key in the battery's capacity rating
• Tester quickly analyzes battery's condition and displays the results in an easy to understand digital readout
• Designed specifically for 12V powersports batteries
• Works with sealed and conventional batteries; safe for use even on discharged batteries
• Essential shop and sales tool; lets you tell customers with complete confidence if their battery needs replacing
Suggested Retail $244.95
BATTERY TESTING PROCEDURE - COUNTERMAN MAGAZINE - JANUARY, 2010
Slow charging is usually better than fast charging. Fast charging saves time, but risks overheating the battery. Slow-charging at 6 amps or less develops less heat inside the battery and breaks up the sulfate on the battery plates more efficiently to bring the battery back up to full charge. "Smart Chargers" automatically adjust the charging rate. Most start out with a charging rate of 15 amps or higher, then taper off the charging rate as the battery comes up.
The time it takes to recharge a battery will depend on the battery's reserve capacity (RC) rating; it's state of discharge, and the output of the battery charger. The charging rate (in amps) multiplied by the number of hours of charging time should equal the reserve capacity of the battery. For example, a dead battery with a RC rating of 72 will take about 12 hours to fully recharge with a 6-amp charger.
TESTING BATTERY CONDITION
A load test will tell you if a battery is good or bad. The test is done by applying a calibrated load to the battery and noting how much battery voltage drops. The test requires a carbon pile load tester, a volt/amp meter (if not part of the load tester), and a battery that is 75 percent or more charged. If the battery is low it must be recharged prior to load testing.
The test requires loading the battery to 1/2 of its CCA rating for exactly 15 seconds. This is done by adjusting the carbon pile setting on the tester. The battery must maintain a minimum post voltage of 9.6 Volts at 70 degrees F during the test to pass. If the voltage drops below 9.6 volts, the battery is "bad" and needs to be replaced..
A faster and easier method to check the condition of a battery is to use an electronic battery conductance tester. Conductance is how much current the battery can conduct internally. Conductance is determined by sending an alternating frequency signal through the battery. The main advantage with this method is that the battery does NOT have to be fully charged for accurate test results.
BATTERY REPLACEMENT
If a battery tests bad, or it will not accept or hold a charge, it will have to be replaced. There is no way to rejuvenate an old sulfated battery or a battery with internal shorts, opens or cell damage.
A replacement battery must be the same group size (dimensions and post configuration) as the original, and should have the same or higher Cold Cranking Amp (CCA) rating as the original battery. Most V6 and V8 engines require 600 CCA for reliable cold weather starting. Many diesel pickup trucks have a dual battery setup for added cranking power, so if one battery has failed it is usually a good idea to replace both batteries at the same time.
Replacing a battery in some vehicles can be difficult because of the battery's location. It may be sealed up inside a fender panel (many Chrysler cars) or in the trunk or under the back seat. If the vehicle is a hybrid, it may require a special gel cell 12-volt battery rather than a wet cell lead-acid battery. Also, use extreme caution around high-voltage hybrid batteries. Follow the vehicle manufacturer's safety precautions. The high voltage hybrid battery is usually covered by a 10-year warranty and is a dealer only replacement item.
Here's another precaution that is often overlooked: Disconnecting a battery that still has voltage can wipe the memory in some modules in many late model vehicles. The resulting memory loss in the affected modules may prevent certain systems from functioning until a special relearn procedure has been performed (some of which may require using a scan tool to reset the module).
To prevent unwanted memory loss in modules, connect a "memory saver" to the electrical system before the battery is disconnected. These devices typically plug into the cigarette lighter or power outlet, or attach to the battery cables, and use a 9-volt battery to supply power to the modules. Another option is to connect a low amperage (3 amps) battery charger to the battery cables while the battery is being replaced.
Be extra careful when reconnecting battery cables to not reverse polarity. Reversing the connections can damage the battery, charging system, and onboard electronics (including the PCM). Except for some antique vehicles, all modern vehicles have a negative ground electrical system. The negative battery post is marked with a minus (-) sign, while the positive battery post is marked with a plus (+) sign. The battery cables may be color coded red for positive and black for negative (but not always, so watch out!).
Finally, batteries should be fully charged before they are installed (to reduce the initial load on the charging system). Batteries are "dry charged" at the factory, but can discharge over time as they sit on the shelf. Your battery inventory should be arranged so your oldest batteries are the first on the shelf, with the newest batteries in the back. Use a voltmeter to check the charge level on your batteries, and use a charger to bring any low batteries up to full charge before they go out the door.
Battery customers should also be reminded to check the condition of the battery cables on their vehicle. A new battery can't crank the engine normally or maintain its charge if the battery cables are loose, badly corroded or undersized. Watch out for cheap replacement battery cables that have undersized wire inside. It takes heavy gauge wire to handle all the amps that many starting systems require. Ω
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