HF Battery testers

I have the carbon pile tester but to be honest neither does a COMPLETE test. both together.. Now that is getting downright close to a Complete test

The Carbon Pile unit though does a good enough job for me It has identified several Sub par batteries over the years.

subcamper,

Any of the batteries that have sat dead for more than a year can more or less be eliminated.

For the newer ones, charge for 168 hours, wait 24 hours, check specific gravity.

Battery testing came up recently on a boater forum. Testers there were all electronic (not carbon pile) from $100 and WAY on up.
In HF, the electronic has the higher ratings.
I think carbon pile can be misused.
That said, the wording of the carbon pile ratings seemed stronger.
So for me, if buying one today: Carbon Pile.
With a warning: NOT down in the bilge of a boat, or where flammable fumes can accumulate. I don't think carbon pile is as "Spark Safe" as electronic.
I have no such tester. Given the choices here, I'd get Carbon Pile but I'd lift the boat batteries out before testing.

A few of the batteries are from vehicles that we got rid of and removed the battery. Some of the batteries are only a few years old. Right now I need to weed them out.

Steve

Honestly, if they were taken out of vehicles, they most likely are end of usable life or at least very near to end of life.

Charge one for 24 hrs, then remove the charger and let it rest for one day.

Then put a volt meter on the terminals, if it registers anything less than 12.8V it IS TOAST.

Personally car (and especially USED) batteries are not all that useful for boondocking.. That is when you are WANTING a GOOD deepcycle AND max capacity you can get per pound.

Take a couple of the used batteries to your local battery place, use them for CORES and get some NEW batteries..

Your back will thank you for not dragging a half dozen partially dead batteries around for a long weekend camp..