Battery/Alternator Tester
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 45
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From: Germantown, Ohio
Battery/Alternator Tester
Does anyone have a favorite Battery /Charging System tester that they use and feel is reliable. Besides this truck I have a small fleet of vehicles, (1 SUV, 4 Cars, 2 Bikes, and other power equipment) I would like to have a reliable battery load and alternator charge, test meter. Also would like it to be affordable...not too much to ask right?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: Northeast NE
I think the first step is a digital multimeter. I currently have a couple of harbor freight and fluke meters available to me. Both have been accurate. As far as a load tester I am sorry I am unable to help you. I have access to a snap on unit through work and really have not used any others. Sorry.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Sounds like what you want is a battery conductance tester.
Midtronics (there are others) makes an entry level model for about a C note. Since you have quite a few to service and monitor it would be a good tool to have. Also handy if you ever decide to help someone stranded needing a jump or diagnosing a "new" vehicle problem. The standard method of testing a battery correctly is time consuming because it requires fully charging the battery then partially discharging into a carbon pile, and recharging again.
Conductance testing is a newer method utilizing a derived AC signal and gives accurate battery health in seconds and doesn't require charging before or after the test. They also have a volt display for charging system use. No sense messing around with a defective battery, so it pays for itself eventually.
Midtronics (there are others) makes an entry level model for about a C note. Since you have quite a few to service and monitor it would be a good tool to have. Also handy if you ever decide to help someone stranded needing a jump or diagnosing a "new" vehicle problem. The standard method of testing a battery correctly is time consuming because it requires fully charging the battery then partially discharging into a carbon pile, and recharging again.
Conductance testing is a newer method utilizing a derived AC signal and gives accurate battery health in seconds and doesn't require charging before or after the test. They also have a volt display for charging system use. No sense messing around with a defective battery, so it pays for itself eventually.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,507
Likes: 5,563
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
this is what i use:
these work ok too.:
these work ok too.:
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,080
Likes: 10
We have a D-Tac Elite in the shop. But, $4k is probably not what you're looking for.
I have a SOLAR BA5 100-1200 Cold Cranking Amps Electronic Battery Tester for road calls. Which, surprising to me works well for $40 - $70. I bought one for home as well.
The Carbon Pile Testers can be cumbersome and a pain sometimes with the short leads.
I have a SOLAR BA5 100-1200 Cold Cranking Amps Electronic Battery Tester for road calls. Which, surprising to me works well for $40 - $70. I bought one for home as well.
The Carbon Pile Testers can be cumbersome and a pain sometimes with the short leads.
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