Heavy duty battery testers

[christopher storey]

Does anyone have one of these, and if so, is the modern electronic type, or the old style very high load type ?

Are the modern style ( which seem to be cheaper at about 55-60 quid) 1. any use and 2 . reliable ?

All observations gratefully received

[ALAN COCHRANE]

Hi Christopher

I have a tester of the old variety. It looks like something straight out of Frankenstein's laboratory but it still works. I bought it off everyone's favourite auction site some years back.
It appears to be made of bakelite and has a multicoloured range-red, orange and green if memory serves me correctly. I'll be back home tomorrow so can upload a photo then if that would be helpful.
Unfortunately I can't comment on the new testers.

[Joes66]

The old style testers are the best
I have the two handled type with a lead between them
And the other good one is the
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Oldh ... 890.l49286

They put a large drain load on the battery and will pull out a bad cell
Old is best when it comes to testers
Joe

[cactusman]

Couldn't agree more Joe I have an ancient one. Two probes. One in each hand. Huge load across the battery and a neat volt meter with red/yellow/green zones too. Good battery will hold 12 volts and the load resistance soon glows dull red

[ALAN COCHRANE]

Well my memory seems to be playing tricks on me. The tester I have is certainly old but it's a battery cell tester:-



Still works though but only one cell at a time. Might just buy the one on Ebay though. Not many batteries have exposed cell terminals any more.

[abowie]

I have 2 of the Ebay ones. Seem to work well in that they give consistent repeatable readings on the dame battery.

Essentially they tell you what the CCA, voltage and internal resistance of the battery is and give a measure of % charge and % "battery health".

[phoenix]

I have been given as a present an electronic battery tester .About 14 x 8 mm with two leads with small crocodile clips. When it is connected it reads temperature voltage and then available amps . I think it was Very expensive £300 ish and I would love to take the cover off to see how it works but I might B...... it so no .

[christopher storey]

Thanks to all for the advice. I have bought the Oldham ebay one , and I will just hope it works!!

[Joes66]

Should be ok
Not much to go wrong
Sometimes the guages don't work
One thing i usually do after loading it with these old style testers is to put it back on charge for a couple of hours afterwards
It does take a bit out of the battery
Joe

[christopher storey]

Oldham tester arrived today within 24 hours of buying - very old, very well used, but in good working order and very efficient and easy to use . Thanks to all for the suggestions and particularly to Joe who recommended this purchase