Cheap Battery Load Testers

[101RRS]

I have a couple of suspect batteries that I need to get load tested. I can take them to a battery centre and get them tested but I wouldn't mind something I can use at home.

Most are reasonably expensive but I have spotted these cheap versions on ebay.

Battery Load Tester 100 AMP 6V 12V Volt CAR Truck Bike Boat Heavy Duty AU Store | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/261257818213'ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648)

Has anyone got one of these, if so do they work OK.

Thanks

Garry

[bsperka]

Battery load testers have a big shunt to carry the load; this unit at that price most probably just is a voltage meter, like most cheapies.

[101RRS]

Do you have one? If so I assume from your comments that it did not work. The specifications seem to indicate that it applies a 100amp load to the battery for 10 secs.

Cheers

Garry

[Homestar]

Applying 100 amps to a battery doesn't prove much. Using a good load tester requires the amperage to be wound up to the CCA rating of the battery - so around 630 amps on an N70 and then to check the volts don't drop below 9.6 I think it is.

100 amps for 10 seconds is just draining your battery needlessly without proving much (unless you have a 100CCA battery)

[dfendr]

I have that particular one
i find it is a good guide to battery health

[Lok Simpson]

I also have that one , it does a good job of load testing my batteries...

[101RRS]

50% for, 50% against but the 50% for have actually got one, so I guess the fors have got it.

Thanks to everyone for the input.

Cheers

Garry

[Homestar]

And, at the end of the day, reports from people who are actually using them probably count more than hearsay and guestemations. Still not sure how applying 100 amps to a large battery proves too much, but as always - happy to be wrong - that's how we learn.:)

[toad]

I have a couple of suspect batteries that I need to get load tested. I can take them to a battery centre and get them tested but I wouldn't mind something I can use at home.

Most are reasonably expensive but I have spotted these cheap versions on ebay.

Battery Load Tester 100 AMP 6V 12V Volt CAR Truck Bike Boat Heavy Duty AU Store | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/261257818213'ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648)

Has anyone got one of these, if so do they work OK.

Thanks

Garry

Gary, a cheap load tester is a set of 55/75W head lights wired on individual switches. Approx 7 A per headlamp, switch on 10 lamps and you have 70 amp. at that sort of load check the battery voltage, if the battery is 12 V or better then its ok. it its ten or lower then it has dropped one cell per each 2 V dropped.