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TomG2's avatar
TomG2
Explorer
Aug 05, 2013

Battery Tester

Any cheapo way to test a battery with a VOM (Volt Ohm Meter)? Don't want to buy a dedicated load tester if I can help it since I already own the VOM. Why not measure voltage with a small load like a light attached? It is a sealed AGM battery, so specific gravity tests are out.

7 Replies

  • full_mosey's avatar
    full_mosey
    Explorer
    Aug 13, 2013
    TomG2 wrote:
    I want to monitor the condition of a new AGM battery. Mostly, % of remaining charge.


    Late as usual. :)

    Charts that show 12.6V as 100% are not for AGMs! At 12.6V an AGM will be about 75% SOC.

    C'mon flooded folks, stop posting FLA charts in response to AGM inquiries!

    If you use a chart like that, you may be fooled into thinking your AGM is fully charged, when in fact, the AGM is silently sulphating.


    HTH;
    John
  • TomG2's avatar
    TomG2
    Explorer
    Aug 05, 2013
    I want to monitor the condition of a new AGM battery. Mostly, % of remaining charge.
  • beemerphile1's avatar
    beemerphile1
    Explorer
    Aug 05, 2013
    Not knowing what you are testing for?

    Put a load on it (light) and see if it lasts a reasonable time.

    I had a battery that load tested fine but couldn't power a light bulb for an hour.

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