Charging System Check (Battery Testing)

Charging System Check (Battery Testing)

Tools Required

J 42000 Digital Battery Tester

Perform the following procedures in order to test batteries:

Visual Inspection Procedure

1. Inspect for obvious damage that may permit the loss of electrolyte.
A cracked or broken battery case is an example of the above damage.
2. Determine the cause of the damage.
3. Correct the damage as necessary.
If no obvious damage exists, proceed to the Hydrometer Inspection.

Hydrometer Inspection

Description:

1. Inspect for green dot visibility (1).
If the green dot is visible (1), the battery state of charge is 65 percent or more. The battery is ready for testing. Proceed to Battery Load Testing.
2. Inspect for Darkness (2). (The green dot is not visible.)
If the hydrometer is dark (2), charge the battery. Refer to Battery Charge Low or Completely Discharged Battery Charge Low or Completely Discharged. Proceed to Battery Load Testing.
3. Inspect for a clear or yellow color (3).
If a clear or yellow color exists (3), replace the battery.

Battery Load Testing




1. Use battery terminal adapters in order to ensure a proper connection during battery load testing.
2. Inspect the battery in order to ensure that the battery is not frozen.
If the battery is frozen do not load test the battery. Replace the battery.
3. Turn all of the electrical loads off.
4. Use the J 42000 in order to measure the voltage across the battery terminals.
When the green dot appears in the hydrometer, the voltage should equal or exceed 12 volts. Replace the battery if the voltage is less than 12 volts, unless the battery has just been discharged (such as by load testing or cranking the engine).
5. With the J 42000 attached, connect a battery load tester across the battery terminals.

Important: Do not perform this step if the battery has not been recently charged.


6. Apply a 300 ampere load for 15 seconds to the battery in order to remove the surface charge from the battery.
7. Wait 15 seconds in order to allow the battery to recover.
8. Apply the specified amperage load to the battery. The battery specification label determines the appropriate voltage.
9. Load the battery for 15 seconds. Read the voltage and remove the load.
10. If the voltage remains above the minimum value, the battery is good and should be returned to service. Refer to Battery Temperature and Minimum Voltage in General Specifications General Specifications. Estimate the battery temperature by feel, and the temperature that the battery has been exposed to for the preceding few hours.
11. Replace the battery if the voltage drops below the listed minimum value.