When to replace battery after it fails load test?
If you keep running your car with that old battery you will burn up your alternator and have an even more expensive repair. I replace my batteries after 5 years even if they pass the load test. Ever since I have done this I have stopped replacing alternators. It’s cheap insurance. Yes, a load test the proper and valid one for the battery.
How does a load test work on a battery?
As for a load test, they hook the battery up to a big resistor (the load) and see if it can maintain voltage for some period of time. I don’t know the specifics of what constitutes ‘failure’. I test my batteries with a hydrometer, normally the first sign of failure is a weak cell.
How can I tell if my battery is bad?
Follow the instructions for the digital load tester, and test the battery while it is being placed under a load. This type of tester will not necessarily measure the battery capacity, but it will indicate whether or not the battery has an interior defect. A battery that fails any of the tests with these methods will need to be replaced.
Why does my car battery not read 12V?
If so, you can measure its density with a hydrometer, a few $. Maybe the terminals need to be cleaned. Maybe a battery cable has broken. Maybe the alternator isn’t working and it isn’t getting a charge. Before you buy a new battery, take it in for a test. Even Walmart auto shops do this free.
What should I do if my battery fails the load test?
If the battery bounces back to less than 75 percent state-of-charge (1.225 specific gravity or 12.45 VDC), then recharge the battery and load test again. If the battery fails the load test a second time or bounces back to less than 75 percent state-of-charge, then replace the battery because it lacks the necessary CCA capacity.
How is a battery capacity test done on a car?
Battery Capacity Testing. Battery Capacity Tests: Perform a battery load test to see if service or replacement is necessary. Determine the load by retrieving the CCA from the battery case and reducing this number by half. The discharge rate is one half of the battery’s cold cranking rating. Apply this load to the battery for 15 seconds.
What do I need to test my battery?
The test requires a carbon pile load tester, a volt/amp meter (if not part of the load tester), and a battery that is 75 percent or more charged. If the battery is low it must be recharged prior to load testing.
How can you tell if a battery is good or bad?
A load test will tell you if a battery is good or bad. The test is done by applying a calibrated load to the battery and noting how much battery voltage drops. The test requires a carbon pile load tester, a volt/amp meter (if not part of the load tester), and a battery that is 75 percent or more charged.