A car battery tester is almost as crucial a possession as the actual car battery. If you own a car, you should understand just how important it is to maintain an awareness of the strength of its battery. People tend to think of their cars as dependable but they base their judgment on appearances. Actually, a car’s appearance has almost nothing to do with how it will perform and whether it will perform.
A mechanic with a car battery tester will truly give you a sense of reliability in regard to your car. These devices can tell you in a matter of seconds just how much juice your car battery has. That will also allow you to take steps to recharge your battery or consider replacement.
How a Car Battery Tester Works
Photo Credit: Flickr Dr. Photon
When you see a car battery tester in a mechanic’s shop, it might appear in one of many shapes and sizes. Typically, they are handheld devices about the size of a large smart phone. Some devices are larger but they are all portable. At the bottom of the device there will usually be two wires extending from the base. These are the familiar positive and negative lines that will connect to the respective posts on your car battery to perform the voltage test.
Most models of car battery testers are 12 volt systems. They operate on their own 12 volt battery. This is important because the proper levels of the car battery’s voltage will hover around the 12 volt mark.
When a mechanic tests your car battery, he or she will perform three tests to examine the battery’s voltage. The mechanic usually begins with the no voltage test. This is done with the car engine completely turned off. The result should be around 12 volts with a healthy battery. Regardless of the results, the mechanic will go on to test the battery with the engine cranked and ready to start. The voltage level should drop below the 12 volt level at this point. Then, when the car actually starts, the mechanic will observe the tester and expect to see voltage running above 12 volts with the alternator functioning and the car charging.
Types of Car Battery Testers Available
There are many types of car battery testers available on the market. You can usually buy them in a department store or from an auto parts vendor. Hey are also available online. If you buy your own, you will have to review the specifics about each model and what kind of car battery it is best used to test. Here are three example models.
- The Neiko Battery & Charging Tester System can get results in 30 seconds or less. The scale can read from one to 16 volts.
- The Auto Meter SB-300 Battery Tester will test from 0-30 volts. It can store 50 results in its memory.
- The Solar SOLBA5 100-1200 CCA Electronic Battery Tester has a wider range of operation because it tests between seven and 15 volts. This car battery tester is compatible with many different types of batteries.