How to Load Test Deep Cycle Batteries
Batteries are a fact of life, and if you own almost any type of vehicle, you will be using a battery. Some of the vehicles that have battery problems on a regular basis are boats and seasonal sports equipment such as campers. These types of vehicles and apparatus use deep cycle batteries. This style of battery is charged up and drained down on a regular basis. They are questionable at the beginning of each season as to their dependability. A load test will let the owner know if the battery should be replaced and is a much better test than becoming stranded with a dead battery.
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Things You'll Need
- Protective eye wear
- Protective rubber gloves
- Battery post/terminal cleaner
- Screwdriver
- Battery load tester
Instructions
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1
Prepare the battery for the test. Put on the safety glasses and the rubber gloves. Use a battery post cleaner on both battery posts. Spin the cleaner back and forth until the posts are shiny and clean. Do not use any type of cleaner on the posts. For side mount battery connections, use the wire brush on the cleaning tool, and brush the surface of the mounting location.
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2
Perform the load test. Connect the load tester's positive (+) cable to the battery positive terminal, and then connect the negative (-) cable to the negative battery post. Failure to do it in this order will result in sparking and possibly an explosion. Switch the load tester to the "TEST" position and check the gauge. Make sure that the load does not drop below 12 volts. If it does, the battery should be replaced.
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3
Charge the battery. If the load test meter reads 12 volts, the battery is safe to use. Remove the load tester, place the battery on a trickle charger, and give it a long charge of at least 24 hours.
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Tips & Warnings
When charging a deep cycle battery, use a slow charging trickle type charger. This type of charger provides the fullest charge for these batteries.
Never quick charge a deep cycle battery. This will ruin a deep cycle battery by burning its lead plates.
References
- Photo Credit battery tester on white image by JoLin from Fotolia.com
