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How To Check Battery Condition

R Gage

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R Gage Enthusiast

R Gage

Posted
Posted

What is the correct way to check for truck battery health, how many amp load for testing etc. or do you go to a dealer or parts shop and use their FREE testing offers? will they tell you the real condition of your battery or just try to sell you new one. thanks for any input

dewfpo Senior Enthusiast

dewfpo

Posted
Posted

If you only have a voltmeter, wait 8 hrs after you last ran the vehicle and check for voltage. If it is 12.7V or better it is considered to be in good shape (all 6 cells making enough voltage). But that doesn't measure amperage output which is what you need to turn the starter motor. A load test is better because it measures the capacity of the battery instead of just the static voltage.

 

DEWFPO

Matt427 Enthusiast

Matt427

Posted
Posted

+1 on the load tester. I've seen plenty of bad batteries show 12-14 volts until you hit that load button, then they drop to almost nothing.

Riverjet502 Enthusiast

Riverjet502

Posted
Posted

Use A hydrometer if you don't have a seal battery to measure the specific gravity of each cell, this will tell you real quick if you have some bad cells...As mentioned above a battery can show good voltage but may not be able to carry a load due to dead cells.

LeoS41280 Enthusiast

LeoS41280

Posted
Posted

You can do a load test by putting your volt meter on the battery, then crank the starter. Watching the meter before the engine starts the voltage should not drop below about 10.5 volts.

68haywagon Enthusiast

68haywagon

Posted
Posted

The voltage only tells half of the story. I've seen a battery at my job holding 12.6 volts that only had 175cca. The battery was rated at 625cca. You need to have a load test done or have it tested with the newer electronic testers at the major auto stores.

 

Mike

thearborbarber Enthusiast

thearborbarber

Posted
Posted

Good Idea

 

 

 

 

You can do a load test by putting your volt meter on the battery, then crank the starter. Watching the meter before the engine starts the voltage should not drop below about 10.5 volts.
R Gage Enthusiast

R Gage

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Posted

I found for sale a 50amp and a 100amp load tester.does anyone know which is the correct amp rating for GMC truck battery or none of them? or what should the amp rating be for testing. Thanks

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