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-   -   Battery Load Tester - 100 or 130 amp? (https://www.buggiesgonewild.com/showthread.php?t=58959)

meni9999 01-11-2012 07:47 PM

Battery Load Tester - 100 or 130 amp?
 
I have an EZ-Go with a 36v system - I'm thinking about getting a battery load tester and wanted to hear thoughts on whether a 130 amp load tester would offer any advantage over a 100 amp load tester for the extra $$$.

Great site, BTW. Tons of fantastic information. Thanks!

pachanga90 01-11-2012 08:06 PM

Re: Battery Load Tester - 100 or 130 amp?
 
Check your local tool supplier or even Harbor-Freight(item # 91129 $79.99 on sale $49.99 now).They have a 500amp Carbon-Pile unit(I got mine at Harbor 3yrs.ago for $70)You need to be able to load the batteries to 1/2 the CCA to test them properly(625cca = 312amp load).The small testers will give you a ballpark,but not always accurate,dependable test.For guys with electric-carts,where the battery is everything,the $70+ is well spent.Hope this helps.:thumbup:

scottyb 01-11-2012 08:22 PM

Re: Battery Load Tester - 100 or 130 amp?
 
Golf cart batteries eat that size load testers for breakfast.
Your golf cart is a great load tester drawing 3-400 amps at times.
You can connect a digital voltmeter to the pack and see how far the voltage drops when you drive up a hill. Those voltage readings coupled with the battery's SG readings & battery age will give a very good idea what you have.

If you are a golf cart shop you need a 500 amp carbon pile tester or a draw-down machine. I hope this helps.

Coltf1991 01-11-2012 08:31 PM

Re: Battery Load Tester - 100 or 130 amp?
 
And thats ALOT of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

:thumbdown:

pachanga90 01-11-2012 08:41 PM

Re: Battery Load Tester - 100 or 130 amp?
 
Thats why I suggested the Harbor-Freight unit,Its a good unit,I've tested it against the $1800 Snap-On unit I have at work,Its dead-on.Mac,Snap-On and others sell the twin to the Harbor unit for almost $500!Associated sells it for $170.I bought the Harbor unit for my service-truck,since the Snap-On is a cart mount and not very portable.:thumbup:

yurtle 01-12-2012 05:17 AM

Re: Battery Load Tester - 100 or 130 amp?
 
ScottyB's suggestion to simply hook up a digital volt meter is the best way to monitor voltage drop while driving. A DMM can also be used. Just hook it up to the pack and/or one battery at a time and monitor while driving uphill.

pachanga90 01-12-2012 06:11 PM

Re: Battery Load Tester - 100 or 130 amp?
 
Yes, the DVM will work for those types of tests,But if you want to test the actual condition of individual batteries,a Load-Test is the only true test,as it puts a set load(up to half the rated CCA)on each battery individually(kinda time consuming as you need to unhook all the cables),giving you an accurate insite into the condition of each battery.Hope this helps.:thumbup:

yurtle 01-12-2012 06:34 PM

Re: Battery Load Tester - 100 or 130 amp?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by pachanga90 (Post 673541)
Yes, the DVM will work for those types of tests,But if you want to test the actual condition of individual batteries,a Load-Test is the only true test,as it puts a set load(up to half the rated CCA)on each battery individually(kinda time consuming as you need to unhook all the cables),giving you an accurate insite into the condition of each battery.Hope this helps.:thumbup:

That's why I'm installing a rotary switch to my onboard volt meter, so I can check the whole pack, or any individual battery.

I already have the fuse block, the rotary switch, the ten conductor cable, so it's free, if you discount labor.

http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/elect...eter-idea.html

I can also hook up my laptop to my AXE4855 and datalog, while I'm climbing hills and monitoring.

Though not as clean a test, I can test under FULL load.

pachanga90 01-12-2012 06:40 PM

Re: Battery Load Tester - 100 or 130 amp?
 
Too involved for me:shock:I'll stick to 1 battery and a gas-tank!:lhmo::thumbup:

yurtle 01-12-2012 07:00 PM

Re: Battery Load Tester - 100 or 130 amp?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by pachanga90 (Post 673568)
Too involved for me:shock:I'll stick to 1 battery and a gas-tank!:lhmo::thumbup:

Again, it can't compete with a real load tester, but for me, it'll have to do. I hope to never need this, just something to flip through while driving around.


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