I'm thinking of picking up the Ancel BA101 or the Topdon AB101.. I have an old BT100 but I figured I get something digital.. Any you guys have a recommendation?
Battery tester
- Thread starter Scott S
- Start date
Many on here have the Ancel BA101.
I like what I read about the Top Don BT-200.
Ed
Ed
Do both of these battery testers also load test battery?
Thank you
Thank you
Own the BA101 since Black Friday-ish. purchased for ~$24 plus tax on Amazon. Instruction it comes with not the greatest (printing is minute) but found an excellent youtube video that explains exactly how to use it. For what I paid, I'm happy with the purchase. Looks like with discounts still in the same ballpark price wise. Information on Amazon says it does load test. I've used it a couple times, confirmed Everstart Value needed replacing. And 3+ year old EP made Everstart Maxx, still good. As I don't use it professionally or often, all I need.
I went ahead and purchased the Ancel BA101 my question is how do we know how accurate it is?
Everybody just assumes they are accurate. The illusion of digital accuracy seems to satisfy most people. Did your Ancel come with accuracy specifications?
You can check precision by taking multiple readings. You can have good precision but poor accuracy.
I prefer a 1000A carbon pile load tester and a Fluke voltmeter to check battery performance.
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I did not see no accuracy specs.. (edit) I should read directions once in awhile, 99.6% I did test it against an old shumaker 100 amp load tester, the Ancel came up as saying the battery was bad needed to be replaced but the shumaker was still saying it was good.
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While an interesting anecdote, 'I' wouldn't call it conclusive one way or the other. If you think the Schumacher right, 'my' next step would be to test battery voltage with a multimeter. Beyond that take it AZ and/or AAP to see what their analyzers say. After doing that there would be more conclusive evidence one way or the other. Fyi, since you purchased the BA101, I found the linked youtube to be a comprehensive one for explaining how to use it. I have not used the Ancel cranking or charging functions yet.
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I did take it to Walmart last night, to check it against one of their batteries, and it checked good. I did check the charging system. That tested out fine, and I also tested a known bad battery, that was sitting in my garage and that tested out bad.. chances are it is right.. considering my BMS light was just on last week, I put it on charge but I also knew the battery was getting weak...
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The BA-101 seems to be one many people on BITOG have. Probably the best until you get to the Midtronics. The Midtronics battery tester also handles temperature compensation. Something most other battery testers do not.
The real load testers are carbon pile. More accurate but the battery must be fully charged which is why most shops went to a Midtronics. They can test a half charged battery rather than take the time to charge the battery then test it.
The real load testers are carbon pile. More accurate but the battery must be fully charged which is why most shops went to a Midtronics. They can test a half charged battery rather than take the time to charge the battery then test it.
I've seen the Midtronics tester mentioned several times when Ancel tester is topic. What is the cost of the Midtronics and model being referenced? The price point mentioned by one member says $500. If true or even ballpark, comparing to the Ancel, not really apples to apples comparison. Not saying Midtronics not a fine tester (for that money, yeah) but for average diyer like myself, cost-benefit also needs to be considered. And, @researcher said in a post last month on Ancel thread that he, "Tested it against the Midtronics at Adv Auto, exactly the same results." While only one anecdote, darn good imo, much more so when current price point considered.
Final thought would be, if one absolutely must confirm the Ancel results, run the battery by AAP or AZ and see what their Midtronics results. For me with recent battery purchase, Ancel was all I needed to confirm new battery needed.
For the price they have it now, $23. I don't think you can beat it.. for any do-it-yourselfer.. just look for a cheap case to put it in, and you're all set..
Yup I said that.. so..I went to look at midtronic's website. I found the one that adv auto was using. The model they used is Midtronics MDX-650P (had the printer on it). The prices range from $1000-1600 from what I found online. And thanks for the compliment. I completed agree!! Take the Ancel tester in and compare it to adv auto's midtronics tester!
I doubt the workers would care.. I know I'm only one person but I'd be surprised if they weren't identical results today, my tester is from 4 years ago (bought it in '19), doubt the tech inside changed much, if at all.hey scott, that's exactly what I did!! Ancel has a nice case (ballistic nylon material) that I got from amazon.. here's a link.. ouch.. price went up since I bought it.. what hasn't?! It was $16.99 back in '21. Now $24.99..
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B49PHXD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I'm thinking something like this will probably work...
Romondes Protective Case Storage Bag Professional Enhanced OBDII Diagnostic Box for OBD2 Scanner Code Reader Diagnostic Scan Tool Battery Tester https://a.co/d/430W31L
Romondes Protective Case Storage Bag Professional Enhanced OBDII Diagnostic Box for OBD2 Scanner Code Reader Diagnostic Scan Tool Battery Tester https://a.co/d/430W31L
That's the same case as my ancel (down to the same color stitching!!), just a different name on it!
Awesome find for 1/2 the price!
Oh wow,That's the same case as my ancel (down to the same color stitching!!), just a different name on it!
Awesome find for 1/2 the price!
I'm going to swing by Advanced Auto. Today and test it against their tester. And post results..
But it does not say Ancel on the case??
I use the Ancel but prefer the Harbor Freight carbon pile load tester to give me the most accurate results. I think it's the smell of 400 amps flowing through the carbon pile. It smells accurate.
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