Does anyone own a battery load tester?

airdrew99 · Apr 2, 2011

I thought about buying a battery load tester. I've seen some as cheap as $50 or so. If you own one, please tell me what kind and if you like it. I would like to find one that I can test my batteries and alternator.

Drew

DaveBen · Apr 2, 2011

You can test the Alternator with a Volt Meter. Just read the volts while running the engine. You should see 12.75 VDC at no running, and 13.50 VDC + running. The load testing on the batteries is another thing. I have no recommendations. I do not use a load tester. The truck will put enough of a load on the batteries. If it states you are golden, if it is slow, you need batteries. And no start means the same thing, new batteries. This is how I test mine.

Dave

BIG JOE · Apr 2, 2011

airdrew99 said:
I thought about buying a battery load tester. I've seen some as cheap as $50 or so. If you own one, please tell me what kind and if you like it. I would like to find one that I can test my batteries and alternator.

Drew

Sure do. Mine is a 'ol Matco Tools, Model MD4370. Does 6 & 12v batts, and reads Alternator out-put. $150.00.

It's an Analog type, but I've had it for years.. Works well and has served me well. Operates on the KISS principle.. fer us "ol Guyz.

Hook it up.. put a 10 second, 130 amp load on... tells me all I need to know.

The Digital guys will chime in soon..... I'll betcha

Remember though: You Git What You Pay For.

JLDickmon · Apr 2, 2011

I had two, two-month old NAPA Legends fail the digital tester (OTC).
They guy that sold the shop the digital said carbon piles are inaccurate for anything over lawn&garden (250cca). At the moment, I'm doing research.

NevrKnow · Apr 5, 2011

I got the same one Big Joe. But I do the real old school alternator trick. Stick a knife to the pulley to see it its making a magnetic charge!

BIG JOE · Apr 5, 2011

NevrKnow said:
I got the same one Big Joe. But I do the real old school alternator trick. Stick a knife to the pulley to see it its making a magnetic charge!

I hear ya.. " The Old School" is where I got my Shadegeneering Tech Cert. All that Old, "Back in the Day" Stuff.. still works too.

airdrew99 · Sep 15, 2011

Anyone else own a battery load tester? I'm still looking at buying one.

RoyBoy · Sep 15, 2011

Here's the one I have. Works great, probably out of your price range though. I used to use the carbon pile type, and would agree that they aren't very accurate. My new electronic one has paid for itself in increased battery sales in a year. :lmao

powerboatr · Sep 16, 2011

RoyBoy said:
My new electronic one has paid for itself in increased battery sales in a year.

that is just WRONG :lmao

but oh so funny

Does anyone own a battery load tester?

airdrew99

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