Load testing a battery with a battery load tester is one way to check the condition of the plates inside a battery. A load tester applies a calibrated load and displays how the battery responds. The load is applied for about 10 seconds and the batteries should be at a 75% charge, a battery below this should be charged before load testing. When load testing, it is important to remove all cables and make sure the battery terminals are free of corrosion and/or dirt.
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- Load Testing Readout with a Handheld Tester
- Load Testing Readout with Computerized Systems
- Load Tester.pdf
Load Testing Readout with a Handheld Tester
*Note, your Handheld Tester may operate differently.
- Once everything has been removed from the battery terminals and the terminals have been cleaned. Clamp the red clamp to the positive battery terminal (POS, P, +); Clamp the black clamp to the negative battery terminal (NEG, N, -)
- Press and hold the load switch “on” for a maximum of 10 seconds and read the meter with the load still on. The needle should remain in the green area. If it doesn’t the battery is weak or bad.
Load Testing Readout with Computerized Systems
If you take your batteries to a professional (Advanced Auto, Batteries Plus, etc.) to have them tested with their computerized system, it will create a Test Report for you.
