The OEM batteries in our truck are just past 5 years old and likely are nearing end of life. Should I bother testing them or just replace? If you think I should test them, please recommend a good automotive battery tester.
Recommend battery tester for group 48 batteries
- Thread starter wwillson
- Start date
I have both the "fancy" and the carbon pile testers, and I prefer the carbon.
They're all from the same factory, so here's a sketchy one from Aliexpress.
Obviously disconnect your interconnects so you get results for each individual battery, no matter what tester you use.
They're all from the same factory, so here's a sketchy one from Aliexpress.
Obviously disconnect your interconnects so you get results for each individual battery, no matter what tester you use.
f355spider
$50 Site Donor 2026
Carbon pile tester is the gold standard, but these work decently enough and highly rated by users and the Project Farm guy, if you want to search for his review on testers from a while back on YouTube. Ancel BA 101.
https://a.co/d/059uK4xq
Simple to use as well. I have purchased at least 8 of them and give them out as gifts to family and friends.
https://a.co/d/059uK4xq
Simple to use as well. I have purchased at least 8 of them and give them out as gifts to family and friends.
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This TOPDON BT 200 is great if you want to splurge. The ANCEL BA101 is good at half the price. Both might be on sale for Prime Days next week.
I have the Ancel, which was cheap (<$20 at the time), and does provide some data.
But keeping in mind its limits as a conductance tester, the conclusions it provides are no better than the simple household battery testers with the green/yellow/red scales to indicate the health of a cell based on its sole measurement of unloaded voltage.
But keeping in mind its limits as a conductance tester, the conclusions it provides are no better than the simple household battery testers with the green/yellow/red scales to indicate the health of a cell based on its sole measurement of unloaded voltage.
^^^this^^^
AZjeff
$50 Site Donor 2023
I bought the ANCEL a couple of months ago on BITOG recommendations. The numbers it generated were very close to what the Batteries Plus tester and a parts store tester showed. Be aware it's very sensitive to a good solid contact of the clip on the battery terminal.
I also have the Ancel tester, paid $<20 and it works quite well. Sure there not a carbon pile tester but there quite accurate for what they are especially with a little knowledge.
Likely the most telling piece of info they give that most ignore is the internal resistance. Generally your looking for <5 milliohm. A little more is OK but much past and the battery is likely too sulphated for long term continued use.
Likely the most telling piece of info they give that most ignore is the internal resistance. Generally your looking for <5 milliohm. A little more is OK but much past and the battery is likely too sulphated for long term continued use.
BrendanC
$100 site donor 2024
i get squirmy with old batteries. i’ve been the one asking for a jump in a parking lot before and it’s not the best feeling. Everstart platnium from walmart and be on your way
f355spider
$50 Site Donor 2026
A reliable battery tester can be your best friend. I have had at least one for over 20 years. By testing a couple times a year, I have caught batteries that were getting weak, but not yet showing signs from simply performing a cold start. And on the flip side, I have got over 14 years out of one battery before it started showing some weakness on the tester. Currently I have two over 8 years and one over 7 years and all test fine still.
I have a bigger carbon pile tester, but its only 12v.
I bought this one because it will test 6v and 12v. We have many 6v batteries in large equipment that it would be nice to be able to test.
https://a.co/d/00HqCS68
https://a.co/d/00HqCS68
I tested the wife's battery which tested good. Two weeks later she was stranded with a dead battery. I'm replacing batteries every 3 years in the wife and daughter's cars now just to be safe. I don't mind being stranded but I don't like them stranded. I'm always doing something so much more enjoyable when I get that I'm stuck phone call.
I liked it better when we were leasing cars. Didn't have to fix, or worry, about much at all!
f355spider
$50 Site Donor 2026
I'm sure that one is fine, but I would have leaned toward the less expensive Ancel BA101 Plus that does 12vt and 6vt. I've never used either one, but there are a few more reviews of the Ancel and the rating is a bit higher...fwiw. The thermal printer could be useful on the Foxwell, but I just screen shot anything I want to save onto my phone from my Ancel, as it may be hard to find the printed receipt conveniently to refer back to.
As mentioned previously by AZ Jeff, it is not a bad idea to adjust the clamps after the first test and ensure they are securely attached, then test a second time to confirm the reading. These conductance testers can be finicky about having the clamps securely attached to the posts. I don't retest much anymore, as I have gotten good about making absolutely sure I have the clamps properly and consistenly attached the same way each time. But do it twice for the first few uses until you get confident in your clamping method.
