

However, we strongly recommend that you practice on different cells to get the hang of it. It is fairly easy once you are well-versed with the process.
#Multi meeter how to
Now you know how to go about using a multimeter to test batteries. Take another person’s help because if you try to handle both the engine as well as the measurement, you may end up with an incorrect reading. Make sure that you do not try to do it all by yourself. Also, if the reading is way below 5V, then it is time to replace the cell. If the initial reading is around 5V and not below it, you should know that the battery is slowly dying and would not work for long. The engine needs to be running throughout the process. If the reading stays constant after the initial value drop, then you would know your battery is in perfect condition. The ideal situation would be if the reading drops to 10V but then returns to a higher value around 12 V. This is a job for two people, where one needs to take control of the ignition while the other checks for fluctuations while the engine is cranked up. To test the cold cranking Amps, keep your multimeter connected to the battery terminals and then fire up the ignition of your car. How To Test The Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) of a Car Battery Most car batteries tend to function well for 3-4 years before deteriorating. One also needs to check if the car is able to draw power successfully.Ī quick way to come to a conclusion is to test the cold cranking amps (CCA) that trigger the ignition. However, this is not the only way to judge if the battery is in perfect condition. If your measurement is more than the minimum value, which is usually 12 volts, the battery has a good charge and will last. This would drain away any remaining charge. Allow us to give you a piece of advice here – you should keep the headlights on for a few minutes before checking the battery. We selected 20V before proceeding to measure the level. The battery ratings vary a lot from car to car, but choosing 15-20 Volt is good enough. Then proceed to check the reading on the multimeter display. You would need to connect the probes to the battery terminals. In such a case, you would have to open the bonnet to get access to the battery, and that’s when you need a multimeter. Though you can already see the battery level on your dashboard display, it may so happen that the battery has completely drained out. This product can also be used to check the health of heavy-duty car batteries or alternators. If your car battery is causing problems or you have an issue with dim headlights or delayed ignition, a multimeter can come to the rescue. How to Use A Multimeter To Test A Car Battery These devices can be great additions to your tool collection. There are a number of multimeters available in the market today that simulate a load to test the battery. A digital variant is easier to use and will always be the preferred choice, but again, it is not the only way to get the job done.
