not good to test car batteries??????????
1488698
Only if you're sure the battery is dead!! Lol... No, the amperage from a car battery is way too high. It might be a creative way to void your warranty, that's for sure.
1488699
To accurately test a battery, you need to provide an artificial "load" that approximates what that battery might typically be expected to do. A car battery has a LOT of capacity and it is beyond the capabilities of a small/simple tester like this to provide a sufficient load to test its capacity. So... if THIS tester says your car battery is dead... it is really dead. But if it says it is OK... it may still not be.
1488700
There is a setting for 12volts but I wouldn't use this tester for a car battery. I would would either use a load tester or take it to an auto parts store or garage and have them test it.
1488701
This tester will not test car batteries it's designed for AA, AAA's, Button batteries, hobby batteries ,9 volt and watch batteries. For car batteries you need a tester that will put a load on it to test the capacityfor cold cranking. Hope this answers your question.
1488702
No, you can't use it because it can handle only small load like 10mA. Car batteries' load is in the range of 5-10A. You will burn this tester in no time.
1488703
I guess if you know what to look for, you can try it. If your car battery is only showing 12 volts on any test device, it's probably not going to start your car. When I worked on my own vehicles and built hot rods, we always wanted between 13.5 and 14.4 volts for a full charge indication, with the engine not running. Car batteries have to pull a heavy load when starting a cold engine. That's why the "cold cranking amps" are shown on the sales shelf. If you really need to know about your car battery, I would not fool with this tester as a serious tool. I would be willing to bet, the 12 volt battery they mean on the test setting is your car alarm remote or wireless doorbell battery in the button module. I guess if you know what to look for, you can try it. If your car battery is only showing 12 volts on any test device, it's probably not going to start your car. When I worked on my own vehicles and built hot rods, we always wanted between 13.5 and 14.4 volts for a full charge indication, with the engine not running. Car batteries have to pull a heavy load when starting a cold engine. That's why the "cold cranking amps" are shown on the sales shelf. If you really need to know about your car battery, I would not fool with this tester as a serious tool. I would be willing to bet,... » Read More I guess if you know what to look for, you can try it. If your car battery is only showing 12 volts on any test device, it's probably not going to start your car. When I worked on my own vehicles and built hot rods, we always wanted between 13.5 and 14.4 volts for a full charge indication, with the engine not running. Car batteries have to pull a heavy load when starting a cold engine. That's why the "cold cranking amps" are shown on the sales shelf. If you really need to know about your car battery, I would not fool with this tester as a serious tool. I would be willing to bet, the 12 volt battery they mean on the test setting is your car alarm remote or wireless doorbell battery in the button module. « Show Less
1488704
No. This battery tester will test 1.5V Button Cells up to 22.5V Lantern Cells. It will not test car batteries. -kd5-
1488705
Yes it will tell you if a 12V battery is good or bad. But the best way to test a 12V battery is to use a load tester or take the battery to a auto store and ask to load test it they usally will and not charge you for it. That is the best way.
1488706
Not for use on Car batteries, Motorcycle batteries, Tractor batteries or any other high amp battery.
1654126
I would not do that. I don't think it will give you a true reading of the battery condition. I ran a dedicated pair of wires from Positive & negative battery terminals to the meter. I installed a small toggle switch on the dash & broke the negative wire thru it so that the meter only draws current when the switch is on. otherwise it is always draining the battery. Hope this helps.
1014666
I Would Say, No. Mine Wouldn't Respond To Holding The Test Button In Even With The Batteries Installed Correctly.
521645
That is a really good question and I'm not sure I can give you an answer for it. I have used my device strictly to jump start my car death battery so I don't really test it real well.Sorry that I can't be of real help, hopefully you'll find someone who can give you a real answer!!!
2062426
I used it on a Dura Last battery and it fail to pass current. so I removed it and its laying on a shelf in the garage. Just couldn't get it to start the vehicle with it in place.....
1207390
Yes, I just tried it and it works but since those batteries are 3 volts it is hard to know if it is reading it right. It "pegged" out a new battery and I suspect that it will tell you if a 3V is very weak or dead, but not "low" since a "low 3v" would probably still produce more than 1.5v. By the way, this tester has already saved me it's cost in batteries I would have otherwise thrown away.
964460
Yes, set it on the 20V scale to measure the car battery voltage since the batter voltage is nominally 12 VDC. It would be hard to use it to learn much more about your battery. Battery weakness would show up under heavy load when high current is being pulled out of it. Voltage for a weak battery would dip under such a condition but this would hard to create without sophisticated test equipment. You can get your battery tested for free at places like Auto Zone.
584779
Hi Dan Battery is very bad. Aftre the whole night charging it warked only 3-5 min. I decided to connect to the car electricity my device permanently, find a good electric, or use the car charger device.
116896
leave them connected unless you feel there is a short, something drawing current, in the system. in older vehicles where there are no clocks or electronics you can remove the negative cable and put a 12 volt, pull fues test lamp with one lead on the negative battery post and the other on the cable , if it lights something is on, pull fuses until the light goes out
1250774
I can find nothing in the directions about the device not being able to test lithium batteries.
1682123
These are the worst tests ever. I highly recommend retesting with a known brand. Good luck.
1435570
My tested as a miss fire and I took it to local auto store and they tested it and it came back bad I think you test it at home if you have a voltage meter
1846093
I have been trying to figure out why mine will continue to say .OL any time i try to test any AA or AAA battery. Often times i have to play around with the settings and remove and reinsert the testers on the device. Not sure if it's the batteries, tester cords or the device is not sturdy enough to work properly.
2219059
With the unit unplugged you can push the test button to check the status of the battery. What did you use it for? We're you trying to start a car? It is best used for small vehicles (4 or 6 cyl) or cars were the battery is not completely dead. Have you used it before to jump a vehicle? Sometimes it is a matter of making proper contact. If you see some sparks when attaching the last cable, it should be good, if not make sure you are making proper contact. I left mine in the car for a couple of months after charging it overnight and it was still good. You might want to charge it overnight.
2111327
It is not a load tester. It does not place a load on the battery. It measures the reluctance of the battery and calculates the CCA.
416143
It is very easy to use, you conect to the battery and you have to confirm what parameter are you using to measure, I normally use SAE, you introduce the CCA using the arrows and press test, if the battery has a bad cell, it is instantly indicated on the screen, the tester will display pass if tuve battery is ok, otherwise fail is displayed. If the battery is discharged at the moment you conect it, it will display ch.
478376
If u run off your car battery I would keep your eye on voltage gauge. I use it in a tractor with opti idle so I don't worry about it draining my batt.