How to Load Test Your Car Or Truck Battery How to Use Automotive Memory Savers How to Repair Your Battery

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The following section below is taken from www.Wikipedia.com

Car charging system load testers:

A load test can be used to evaluate the health of a car's battery. The tester consists of a large resistor that has a resistance similar to a car's starter motor and a meter to read the battery's output voltage both in the unloaded and loaded state. When the tester is used, the battery's open circuit voltage is checked first. If the open circuit voltage is below spec (12.6 volts for a fully charged battery), the battery is charged first. After reading the battery's open circuit voltage, the load is applied. When applied, it draws approximately the same current the car's starter motor would draw during cranking. Based on the specified cold cranking amperes of the battery, if the voltage under load falls below a certain point, the battery is bad. Load tests are also used on running cars to check the output of the car's alternator.

Lead Acid Battery Charge and discharge

In normal automotive service the vehicle's charging system powers the vehicle's electrical systems and restores charge used from the battery during engine cranking. When installing a new battery or recharging a battery that has been accidentally discharged completely, one of several different methods can be used to charge it. The most gentle of these is called trickle charging. Other methods include slow-charging and quick-charging, the latter being the harshest.

In most cars, the voltage regulator of the charge system is unaware of the relative currents charging the battery and for powering the car's loads such as engine control, fans and lighting. The charge system provides essentially a fixed voltage of typically 13.8 to 14.4 V (Volt), unless the alternator is at its current limit. A discharged battery draws a high current of typically 20 to 40 A (Ampere). As the battery gets charged the charge current decreases to typically 2 A to 5 A. A high load results when multiple high power systems such as radiator fan, heater blowers, lights and entertainment system are running. In this case, the battery voltage will decrease and the charge current as well.

Some manufacturers include a built-in hydrometer to show the state of charge of the battery. This acrylic "eye" has a float immersed in the electrolyte. When the battery is charged, the specific gravity of the electrolyte increases (since all the sulfate ions are in the electrolyte, not combined with the plates), and the colored top of the float is visible in the window. When the battery is discharged (or if the electrolyte level is too low), the float sinks and the window appears yellow (or black). The built-in hydrometer only checks the state of charge of one cell and will not show faults in the other cells. In a non-sealed battery each of the cells can be checked with a portable or hand-held hydrometer. Batteries will last longer if not stored in a discharged state. Jumper cable connected to battery post. Hydrometer window visible by jumper clamp. White powdery corrosion products visible on top of battery. This BCI Group 24F battery claims 525 cold cranking amperes and 125 minutes reserve capacity.  In emergencies a vehicle can be jump started, by the battery of another vehicle or by a hand portable battery booster.

Whenever the car's charge system is inadequate or too slow to fully charge the battery, a battery charger can be used. Simple chargers will not regulate the charge current and the user needs to stop the process or lower the charge current to prevent excessive gassing of the battery. More elaborate chargers, in particular those implementing the 3-step charge Profile, also referred to as IUoU, charge the battery fully and safely in a short time without requiring user intervention.

Digital Variable Load Tester

Digital voltmeter and ammeter combine with the versatility of a carbon pile load to give quick and precise determination of battery and charging system problems. Spring loaded to shut off automatically. This 0 to 600-AMP tester has unique curved discs to help prevent hot spots. Heavy duty clamps with "Flexi-Spring" cable guards provide added value. Perform these diagnostic tests: State of charge, Battery load test, Starter test, Charging System test, Heavy-duty clamps on Models 6029,6031,6039, Hand held testers have recessed meters to protect from damage.