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battery testing

Hi,

I remember reading an old post here about testing your car's battery with a voltmeter. The procedure was, IIRC, to measure the lowest voltage during starting the engine. The only problem is, I can't remember what voltage was good and what voltage was bad. Can anyone remind me the correct way to test the battery?

I've tried to look through old posts but can't find the post I was looking for. I've looked on google and I am finding many sites which talk about measuring the voltage without starting the car; I thought these tests were not useful?

TIA

Reply to
Fred
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A lot depends on what equipment you're using. Testing without starting is OK if you've got a heavy drop tester, but let's assume for the moment you haven't. Put your voltmeter on the battery and then come back and give us some info, like for instance -

What car is it? ie petrol/diesel etc. What battery type No have you got Voltage at rest, ie before attempting to start. Voltage while starting. Voltage after starting, firstly just with engine running, then with maximum equipment turned on, ie headlights, fan heated windscreen etc

As a rough guide you wouldn't want it going much below 10.0v. But on the other hand some cars will start on less.

Steve

Reply to
shazzbat

It's normally specified in the workshop manual.

Reply to
Duncan Wood

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