During colder weather, you need to have your car’s battery checked regularly, but sometimes you just have to run an automotive battery tester yourself. The battery tester alone can be a digital (easier for you to read and hence gives you accurate readings) or analog voltmeter, volt-ohm meter or multi-meter, or else an individual load tester – it does not really matter as long as the device works as it meant to and you know how to use it.
Running a Voltmeter
Before connecting the voltmeter to your car’s battery, check the positive and negative connections of the battery and voltmeter. The positive terminal of the battery is signed with a plus (+) symbol and red cable while the positive test lead of the voltmeter is read. The negative terminal of the battery is signed with a minus (-) symbol and black cable while the negative test lead of the voltmeter is black. What you have to do is to connect the red to the other red and the black to the other black. Keep in mind that the temperature affects the readings of the battery voltage – every 10°F drop in the temperature, the battery voltage reading also drops approximately 0.01v. At 80°F (+/- 27°C), 11.89v, 12.6v, 12.24v, 12.45v, and 12.66v respectively constitute 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of battery charge.
Running a Volt-Ohm Meter or Multi-Meter
A multi-meter is also called volt-ohm meter because the tool typically measures voltage (volt) and resistance (ohm). A multi-meter is not only for testing the battery load or checking the battery charge, but also for troubleshooting almost all types of electrical devices. Running a multi-meter is generally similar to running a voltmeter in a way that you need to connect the positive (red) lead of the tool to the positive (red) terminal of the battery and then connect the negative (black) lead of the multi-meter to the negative (black) terminal of the battery. A multi-meter, on the contrary, provides higher degree of complexity of readings, including power availability, broken connection, poor connection, faulty parts, etc.
Running a Load Tester
A load tester is actually more suitable for checking your car’s battery because the tool can check your car’s alternator, charging system, and starting system as well. Before running the load tester, remove all electrical loads from the car’s battery, plug the keeper into the socket, clean the battery terminals and posts from corrosion, and, more importantly, disconnect the battery from the charger. During the testing, do not hold down the button for over 10-15 seconds and if you should do more than one test, let the tester become cold for 2-3 minutes. Then, the positive-positive and negative-negative connection mechanism is just like the one with a voltmeter or multi-meter – but no need to worry because most testers come with detailed instructions that you can check anytime.
Tips
It is important that you avoid any possible injury. Make sure you have turned off all of your car’s lights and ignition key before running a test load on or checking the charge of the battery. Finally, if you do not feel confident enough to do the checking yourself, ask someone more qualified to run your automotive battery tester.
Read Also : Options of the Best Automotive Battery
Running a Voltmeter
Before connecting the voltmeter to your car’s battery, check the positive and negative connections of the battery and voltmeter. The positive terminal of the battery is signed with a plus (+) symbol and red cable while the positive test lead of the voltmeter is read. The negative terminal of the battery is signed with a minus (-) symbol and black cable while the negative test lead of the voltmeter is black. What you have to do is to connect the red to the other red and the black to the other black. Keep in mind that the temperature affects the readings of the battery voltage – every 10°F drop in the temperature, the battery voltage reading also drops approximately 0.01v. At 80°F (+/- 27°C), 11.89v, 12.6v, 12.24v, 12.45v, and 12.66v respectively constitute 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of battery charge.
Running a Volt-Ohm Meter or Multi-Meter
A multi-meter is also called volt-ohm meter because the tool typically measures voltage (volt) and resistance (ohm). A multi-meter is not only for testing the battery load or checking the battery charge, but also for troubleshooting almost all types of electrical devices. Running a multi-meter is generally similar to running a voltmeter in a way that you need to connect the positive (red) lead of the tool to the positive (red) terminal of the battery and then connect the negative (black) lead of the multi-meter to the negative (black) terminal of the battery. A multi-meter, on the contrary, provides higher degree of complexity of readings, including power availability, broken connection, poor connection, faulty parts, etc.
Running a Load Tester
A load tester is actually more suitable for checking your car’s battery because the tool can check your car’s alternator, charging system, and starting system as well. Before running the load tester, remove all electrical loads from the car’s battery, plug the keeper into the socket, clean the battery terminals and posts from corrosion, and, more importantly, disconnect the battery from the charger. During the testing, do not hold down the button for over 10-15 seconds and if you should do more than one test, let the tester become cold for 2-3 minutes. Then, the positive-positive and negative-negative connection mechanism is just like the one with a voltmeter or multi-meter – but no need to worry because most testers come with detailed instructions that you can check anytime.
Tips
It is important that you avoid any possible injury. Make sure you have turned off all of your car’s lights and ignition key before running a test load on or checking the charge of the battery. Finally, if you do not feel confident enough to do the checking yourself, ask someone more qualified to run your automotive battery tester.
Read Also : Options of the Best Automotive Battery