Testing racecar battery

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Dave Koehler
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Re: Testing racecar battery

Post by Dave Koehler »

I used a pile tester for years but was always a bit leery of it.
I now use this gadget. Tech is cool sometimes.
I think it gives more informative information.
https://www.amazon.com/BA5-100-1200-Cra ... ery+tester

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Re: Testing racecar battery

Post by tresi »

Good or bad method I give it a 10 second pull on a 100 amp load and check the voltage right before I release the switch.
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Re: Testing racecar battery

Post by Alaskaracer »

tresi wrote: Sat Nov 03, 2018 8:26 pm Good or bad method I give it a 10 second pull on a 100 amp load and check the voltage right before I release the switch.
Not a good test. You're not loading the battery long enough or with enough load. If the battery is close, it can pass. That's why the standard is 50% of its CCA for 15 seconds.
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Re: Testing racecar battery

Post by tresi »

Coloradoracer wrote: Sun Nov 04, 2018 9:01 pm
tresi wrote: Sat Nov 03, 2018 8:26 pm Good or bad method I give it a 10 second pull on a 100 amp load and check the voltage right before I release the switch.
Not a good test. You're not loading the battery long enough or with enough load. If the battery is close, it can pass. That's why the standard is 50% of its CCA for 15 seconds.
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Re: Testing racecar battery

Post by tresi »

tresi wrote: Sun Nov 04, 2018 10:11 pm
Coloradoracer wrote: Sun Nov 04, 2018 9:01 pm
tresi wrote: Sat Nov 03, 2018 8:26 pm Good or bad method I give it a 10 second pull on a 100 amp load and check the voltage right before I release the switch.
Not a good test. You're not loading the battery long enough or with enough load. If the battery is close, it can pass. That's why the standard is 50% of its CCA for 15 seconds.
Perhaps, the 1st time my method fails me I'll change. It's work that way since 88 and likely it's going to work for me until I have to quit driving. I don't need to know the CCA left in, I only to know if it is going to start a vehicle. Think what we use to have, in the 70's a 450CCA was among the strongest batteries available and starts were likely to pull half again to twice as many amps.
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Re: Testing racecar battery

Post by Olds455 »

Alan Roehrich wrote: Sun Jan 07, 2018 7:29 pm O'Rielly's uses the AutoMeter battery tester and charger now.

Absolutely the very best battery tester is an old Sun VAT-28 carbon pile load tester.
That the one where you can smell the ozone as it works? I remember using one around 10 years ago. Only time I ever got to actually use one. Everybody else has the electronic stuff now.
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