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Battery Tester
Nov 24, 2018 05:32:49   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
I like gadgets, and this one is going to prove useful. I recently got a "SOLAR BA9 40-1200 CCA Digital Battery and System Tester" from Amazon. It not only tells you the voltage, but it also checks the Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) and checks the condition of the charging system. As soon as I got it, I checked the condition of two four-year-old car batteries, and they are both good. I also have a few Battery Tenders from my motorcycle days, and I plug them in occasionally.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IZFNJ6Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://smile.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-021-0128-Maintain-Damaging/dp/B00068XCQU/ref=sr_1_6?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1543055488&sr=1-6&keywords=battery+tender

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Nov 24, 2018 06:11:50   #
chuckrem Loc: Katy, Tx
 

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Nov 24, 2018 06:44:02   #
tcthome Loc: NJ
 
Smart chargers (tenders)are the way to go. Does that tester put a load test on it?

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Nov 24, 2018 06:52:04   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
tcthome wrote:
Smart chargers (tenders)are the way to go. Does that tester put a load test on it?


No. It doesn't do a load test, but some online videos pointed out shortcoming of load testing. I have a load tester, and I never saw the point.

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Nov 24, 2018 07:26:09   #
Largobob
 
jerryc41 wrote:
No. It doesn't do a load test, but some online videos pointed out shortcoming of load testing. I have a load tester, and I never saw the point.


The point of load testing is that some batteries test fine until under load....then their voltage can drop to zero.

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Nov 24, 2018 08:05:35   #
HOHIMER
 
Largobob wrote:
The point of load testing is that some batteries test fine until under load....then their voltage can drop to zero.


Its called a ‘superficial’ charge.

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Nov 24, 2018 08:19:25   #
tcthome Loc: NJ
 
I have used them I in the past for a previous employer. For a vehicle that still starts a volt meter hooked up during a cold start should give a pretty good indication. My battery was 6 yrs old. Probably could of gotten another year out of it but, replaced it with one of them yellow top Optima batteries. Stuck & stranded is not my idea of a good time!

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Nov 25, 2018 09:42:41   #
fourlocks Loc: Londonderry, NH
 
This would be extremely useful for checking my generator and lawn mower batteries assuming they're 12 volt. I'd also like to check the voltage and amperage on my electric chain saw battery but that's a lithium ion battery. Is there a similar product that can test at any voltage and is good for different battery chemistries?

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Nov 25, 2018 10:28:45   #
EdJ0307 Loc: out west someplace
 
I bought a Topdon ArtiBattery 101 battery tester from Amazon a few months ago. Appears to do the same functions as the one jerryc has but it is about half the price. And it was recommended by Scotty Kilmer.

https://www.amazon.com/TT-TOPDON-Automotive-Cranking-System%EF%BC%8CCharging/dp/B0769JZK38/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1543158574&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=artibattery%2B101&th=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFCCF6extfQ

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Nov 25, 2018 13:40:52   #
Dale40203 Loc: Louisville, KY
 
While the topic of battery testing and maintenance is current, I have been looking for a way to keep my truck's battery from draining. It is parked far from an outlet and sometimes goes 2 weeks without running. I learned that periodic starting and idling drains the battery more than it recharges, so I looked into solar powered devices especially ones that can connect to the electrical system through the dash utility outlet (aka cigar lighter).

Does anyone have experience with this type of device?

https://www.carbatterychargerscentral.com/solar-car-battery-charger-top-5-best-rated-5w-solar-battery-tenders/

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Nov 25, 2018 20:13:45   #
Hondaron74 Loc: Pleasanton,CA.
 
I purchased a similar one,but since my cigarette lighter only works when my key is on i got one that came with an OBD adapter.(vehicles 1996 or later have OBD ports)It worked well for the 3 weeks we were gone.
Cheers
Ron.
Dale40203 wrote:
While the topic of battery testing and maintenance is current, I have been looking for a way to keep my truck's battery from draining. It is parked far from an outlet and sometimes goes 2 weeks without running. I learned that periodic starting and idling drains the battery more than it recharges, so I looked into solar powered devices especially ones that can connect to the electrical system through the dash utility outlet (aka cigar lighter).

Does anyone have experience with this type of device?

https://www.carbatterychargerscentral.com/solar-car-battery-charger-top-5-best-rated-5w-solar-battery-tenders/
While the topic of battery testing and maintenance... (show quote)

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