Auto Meter BCT-460NAV Operator'S Manual Download Page 6

6

CONTROLS AND FUNCTIONS

BLUETOOTH

The BCT-460NAV uses Bluetooth to communicate between the control module and load module. This allows you to make the 

connections, remove the control module and the run the tests from inside the vehicle.
The BCT-460NAV control module and load module come paired from the factory. 
Bluetooth will work as long as the distance between the load module and control module is less than 30 feet.  Walls, windows and 

other objects between the control module and load module will affect the range.
If you do experience any communication issues please look at the troubleshooting guide at the back of this manual on how to 

correct them.

Wi-Fi

The BCT-460NAV uses WiFi to communicate between the control module and AMPNET server. The AMPNET service will provide 

firmware updates for the control module and the load module. You will need to pair the control module with your local wireless 

LAN. See Wi-Fi section for instructions on setting up the wireless connection.

AMPNET

The data from your BCT-460NAV can be downloaded to the data management software known as AMPNET (purchased 

separately). This software that can be used to display and track your battery, starting system, and charging system test results in 

graphical form.

WIRELESS COMMUNICATION

Control and Load Module 

Mated and Latched

Control Module

Load Module

Control 

Module 

Latch

Load Module Push Button

Power on: Push and hold button for 1 second
Power off: Push and hold for more than 5 seconds
Reboot/Reset: Push and hold button for 3 to 4 seconds

Control Module Power Button
Briefly touch to wake up screen.  
2 second push and hold to power 
unit off or restart. 3 to 4 second 
push and hold to turn unit on, if unit 
is off.

Summary of Contents for BCT-460NAV

Page 1: ...or s Manual Hand Held Accuracy with a Pulsed 120 Amp Load Heavy Duty The BCT 460NAV is the ultimate hand held tester It is the industry s answer to portability in a professionally accurate load tester and system analyzer ...

Page 2: ...re to hold the unit from the side grips only Keep hands away from the grill Keep oil and liquids away from the grill and load coils You have purchased one of Auto Meter s hand held Electrical System Analyzers It is designed to test each component of a truck s electrical charging and starting system with speed and accuracy If you should have any questions about your tester testing procedures or ser...

Page 3: ...PM Test 25 27 Individual Tests Battery Test 28 30 Starter Test 31 34 Alternator Test 35 37 Voltmeter 42 Current Probe 42 Voltage Drop Tests Starter Cable Test 38 Charging Cable Test 39 Generic Cable Test 40 41 Magnetic Circuit 41 Voltage Drop Test Results 41 Using the Optional Current Probe 42 Trouble Shooting 43 44 Warranty 45 Contact Information 46 Note The BCT 460NAV performs a complete electri...

Page 4: ...result Incorrect Application Wrong size battery may have inadequate cold cranking rating for original vehicle specifications Incorrect Installation Loose battery hold downs cause excessive vibration which can result in damage to the plates Improper Maintenance Low electrolytic fluid and corrosion on battery connections can greatly reduce battery life and affect battery performance Age of Battery I...

Page 5: ...and fraying Tighten loose belts Inspect Battery for terminal corrosion loose or broken posts cracks in the case loose hold downs low electrolyte level moisture and dirt around the terminals If the battery terminals are corroded or dirty clean terminals before performing any tests Inspect Starting System Check starter solenoid and regulator for loose connections loose mounts and frayed or cracked w...

Page 6: ... The AMPNET service will provide firmware updates for the control module and the load module You will need to pair the control module with your local wireless LAN See Wi Fi section for instructions on setting up the wireless connection AMPNET The data from your BCT 460NAV can be downloaded to the data management software known as AMPNET purchased separately This software that can be used to displa...

Page 7: ... be connected to a battery or the battery charger to use the Type A USB Port USB Type B Factory use only Temperature Sensor The Load module has an IR temperature sensor that is used to measure the temperature of the battery you are testing Charging Port When the unit is not being used it should be placed on the charger or optional charging station to keep the batteries fully charged LED Status Loa...

Page 8: ...lows the user to view all the details of the test Touch the 3 dots at upper right corner then touch Check for Update which allows the user to update both the Control modules application or the Load module firmware Touch the 3 dots at upper right corner then touch Battery Status to show the state of charge of the batteries in the Control module and the Load module CONTROLS AND FUNCTIONS cont ...

Page 9: ... Arrow twice to return to the main menu Setup Wi Fi From Main Menu press SETTINGS Scroll down and press Wi Fi Setup Select your local Wi Fi from resulting list Enter password for your local Wi Fi in resulting setting box Once password has been entered press Connect Press the Back Arrow twice to return to the main menu 1 Allows pairing to Bluetooth Devices 2 Update Control Module and Load Module so...

Page 10: ... to default to use previously used battery rating unit Clear to use default rating value 7 Set to default to use previously used rating value Clear to use default rating value 8 Set to show a Near End of Life result Clear to show only Good and Bad battery result 9 Default CCA Value 10 Set to show health of Reserve Capacity on Group 31 Standard Flooded Batteries 11 Check to enable sending data to o...

Page 11: ...data format and press SAVE 9 Wait 10 seconds and remove USB flash drive 1 Control Module must be docked to Load Module 2 Tester must be disconnected from all charging sources 3 Start from Main Menu 4 Make sure Control Module and Load Module are Connected as shown in upper left of the home screen See Picture Below 5 Plug USB flash drive into connector on the right side of tester ...

Page 12: ...screen will appear on the control module Clean battery terminals with a wire brush if battery terminals are corroded or dirty Clean clamp jaws with 1 part ammonia and 10 parts water if clamp jaws are corroded or dirty Connect Black Clamp to Negative Terminal Connect Red Clamp to Positive Terminal Clean Clamps Corroded Clamps Note Brass battery terminal adapters must be used when performing individ...

Page 13: ...e battery information When you enter BATTERY TEMP the following screen will appear Connect the large leads clamps Single Battery Hook Up Enter the vehicle infor mation then touch OK Also choose whether you are going to use the Current Probe for additional charging information Aim the back of the tester Load Module at the bat tery for temper taure reference then touch save Press START to begin the ...

Page 14: ...n touch Done Then touch START Please wait a few moments until the battery is tested The battery test results are then displayed Touch PROCEED TO STARTER TEST icon Skip to image 16 if no Current Probe selected If the Current Probe option was chosen this screen will appear Touch the Ok icon This screen will NOT appear if the Current Probe was not chosen earlier Start the Engine Follow the on screen ...

Page 15: ... displacement if diesel then touch OK Follow the on screen prompts The charging system is now being tested Running Starter Test Follow the on screen prompts Rev Engine and hold RPM The test is finished Turn off the engine and touch OK Starting System results Touch MORE RESULTS to view Alternator Results Charging results with current probe used Also shows output charging current and Vdrop results 1...

Page 16: ... with no current probe used This will show voltage regu lation diodes results Touch exit to continue Test Summary will now be displayed Touch Next this will bring you back to the home screen HEAVY DUTY PM TEST cont 28 29 ...

Page 17: ...eed for connec tions at the starter and for quicker testing Check off as you inspect Once checked Ok will appear Touch Ok to continue Choose any that apply then touch Next Choose the total number of batteries If only one battery was chosen you will skip steps 7 15 thru 20 3 6 4 7 9 10 Connect as shown then touch Ok 8 Answer touch Yes or No to continue From Home Screen touch Full System Test The Fu...

Page 18: ...es Once selec tion and temperature have been chosen touch Start Battery Test to continue The battery test will the begin and be in Process Please Wait When all batteries have been individ ually tested you will now reassemble the battery pack then touch OK 12 15 18 13 16 19 Choose how many batteries were replaced then touch OK 17 Here are your battery results Touch next to continue 14 Follow prompt...

Page 19: ... the number of cyl inders then touch Ok Repeat same as above but for charging system If not using Probe skip to page 6 under heading of Testing W O Probe at step 41 Follow on screen prompt then touch Ok 21 24 27 22 25 28 Follow on screen prompt The tester will recognize when the engine is cranked and started 26 Follow this diagram Probe placement is important for proper results Be sure it is place...

Page 20: ...ction needed Review results then touch NEXT Review results then touch Ok Follow on screen prompt Please wait Review results then touch EXIT for Summary 30 33 36 31 34 37 Review results then touch MORE RESULTS 35 Once idling touch Ok 32 Please wait No action needed 29 ...

Page 21: ...this diagram Starter post adapters are available through Auto Meter Products for easier con nections in tight areas 40 Here you can check any replaced components or add notes then touch Done If noth ing replaced and no notes you can simply touch Done Testing complete With Probe The following refer to testing W O the current probe Testing W O Probe Amp Clamp See Below For testing with NO PROBE step...

Page 22: ...hen touch NEXT to continue to Charging System testing In process please wait Touch the number of cylinder then touch Ok Perform inspection cor rect and found issues check the box then touch Ok 47 50 53 48 51 54 Follow this diagram Alternator post adapters are available through AutoMeter Products for easier connections in tight areas 52 Touch Ok 49 Follow on screen prompt then touch Ok 46 ...

Page 23: ...to continue Press when voltage is stable Review results then touch NEXT Please Wait Follow on screen prompts Start engine as prompted Follow on screen prompts then touch Ok 56 59 63 57 61 64 58 62 With Good Charging VDROP as shown touch Next If failed VDROP follow on screen prompts for retest 55 60 ...

Page 24: ...24 FULL SYSTEM TEST Here you can check any replaced components or add notes then touch Done If nothing replaced and no notes you can simply touch Done 65 ...

Page 25: ...Enter the battery information When you enter BATTERY TEMP the following screen will appear Connect the large leads clamps then touch CONTINUE Touch START BATTERY TEST to continue Please wait a few moments while the battery is tested In the event that you get any result other than Good Battery you will have to make the necessary repair before you can continue For this example you would have to char...

Page 26: ...M not detected Repeat test Should the vehicle continue to start too quickly on gas engines you can floor the accelerator for the first second of cranking which puts the engine into Clear Flood Mode which prevents the engine from starting immediately After the 1st second let off the accelerator and let the engine start This message Did the vehicle crank will pop up if the engine started too quickly...

Page 27: ... touch OK Starter test results Touch PROCEED TO ALTERNATOR TEST to continue Leave the engine running Once reviewed touch Next which will take you back to the Home page Alternator test results You may now shut the engine off Touch EXIT to continue The tester will now load the system to check the charging system ...

Page 28: ...lect Battery Rating area is pressed the battery rating type can be changed by tapping on the rating type you need The rating can be changed by pressing Enter then a keyboard will appear and the rating can be typed in Press save to go back to the Battery Test screen Enter number of batteries in pack then touch OK When the Select Battery Type area is pressed the battery type can be selected Press th...

Page 29: ...n to service If the engine is running the charging system will affect the battery test The BCT 460NAV will detect that and prompt you to shut off the engine before running the battery test If there is a connection issue the following screen will appear Check the connections and make sure the battery post and clamps are clear of any corrosion The BCT 460NAV will display the progress of the battery ...

Page 30: ...en test the battery Good battery though it failed Reserve Capacity Test Reserve Capacity is an option that can be turned on or off in settings INDIVIDUAL TESTS BATTERY TEST The battery did not have sufficient remaining capacity to pass the test The battery should be replaced immediately The battery passed the test but is near its end of life The battery is OK for mild conditions but may not start ...

Page 31: ...ow many cylinders the engine has to determine the starting RPM If not then the BCT 460NAV will ask the user to repeat the test INDIVIDUAL TESTS STARTER TEST W O PROBE Press the Start key to begin the test The unit will take some preliminary measurements From home screen touch Starter Test Connect as shown Leave box unchecked regaurding use of probe then touch ok Turn the key to the run position Wa...

Page 32: ...32 Failed Starter Good Starter INDIVIDUAL TESTS STARTER TEST W O PROBE ...

Page 33: ...R TEST W PROBE The BCT 460NAV ask if the vehicle cranks From home page touch Starter Test Connect as shown Be sure check box is checked then touch ok Start the Engine Turn the key to the run position Wait for the ECU to power up ...

Page 34: ...eater at the start enable input points to trouble with the starter Otherwise there is trouble with the start enable circuit Or whether the problem is the the start enable circuit INDIVIDUAL TEST Starter Test The BCT 460NAV will show the user how to connect large red clamp to starter positive Connect large black clamp to starter ground Connect small red clamp to start enable input Connect small bla...

Page 35: ...iminary measurements to prepare for the alternator test Start the Engine INDIVIDUAL TEST Alternator Test Toucn Enter then Enter the rated alternator output Press START to continue Connect as shown From the home screen touch Atlernator Test ...

Page 36: ... the user to hold the engine RPM at 1000 and wait for the voltage to stabilize The user then can press the button when the voltage is stable The BCT 460NAV will instruct the user to rev the engine to governor speed and hold it there While the engine is at governor speed the unit will look for low and high regulation and measure the output current and the ripple When the test is complete the BCT 46...

Page 37: ...ue to high voltage regulation and it has remote sense the BCT 460NAV will instruct the user to disconnect the remote sense wire and repeat the governor speed test If the alternator fails for low voltage regulations high ripple voltage or low output current the user will be directed to repair the alternator Example of too high regulation fail ...

Page 38: ...rnator or any other device within your vehicle This test can be used to deter mine if the cables or connections are the cause of any problems Select Starting Cable Test If the combined voltage drop of the positive and negative circuit is less than the allotted value found in the RP129B specification for the type and size of engine the voltage drop test passes If the voltage drop test fails you sho...

Page 39: ...tive and negative circuit is less than 500mV the voltage drop test passes If the voltage drop test fails you should start by troubleshooting and repairing the side of the circuit with the highest voltage drop Select individual tests then select the V DROP Test from the main menu Select Charging Cable Test Test in process please wait To set the test current press the Test current box and a numeric ...

Page 40: ...Press the Done button and then press the Start Test button If you are doing a generic test the screen will tell you to make your connections The large clamps need to be connected to the end of the cables you are testing The red clamp to the positive end black to ground The small clamps need to be connected to the battery posts The small red clamp to the battery the small black clamp to the battery...

Page 41: ...nd repairing the side of the circuit with the highest voltage drop The Magnetic switch circuit supplies a path for current to the coils of the starter solenoid with minimum voltage drop The Magnetic circuit is indicated by the dotted line on the illustration to the left The Magnetic circuit test is designed to test the voltage drop of this circuit It has three steps If it passes the first test the...

Page 42: ...h a cable Press the Current Probe button This screen will appear and show the DC voltages on the large and small clamps If the engine is running the ripple AC Voltage will be measured and displayed USING THE OPTIONAL CURRENT PROBE The Current Probe is optional This section explains the proper use of the Current Probe but is not required to run any of the tests It only provides assured accuracy for...

Page 43: ...oad Module LM is charging or the LM and CM are both charging Double Blinking Green Heartbeat pattern Indicates that the CM is awake and connected via Bluetooth to the LM Solid Green Indicates that the LM is awake and the CM not bluetooth connected Most commonly this will happen when the CM is asleep and when you wake up the CM by pushing the side button it will then connect via Bluetooth to the LM...

Page 44: ...Samsung Splash screen appears A few seconds later a battery outline will appear on the screen When it does press and hold the power button while the battery outline is visible Once the battery outline goes away release the button The Samsung Splash screen will appear and the CM will continue to boot The Control Module will not make a Bluetooth connection to the Load Module Please see BCT 460NAV do...

Page 45: ...due to the failure of this product Improper use accident water damage abuse unauthorized repairs or alterations voids this warranty The manufacturer disclaims any liability or consequential damages due to breach of any written or implied warranty on its test equipment WARRANTY AND SERVICE INFORMATION Warranty claims to the manufacturer s service department must be transportation prepaid and accomp...

Page 46: ...r Street Pleasant Grove Utah 84062 Service 801 785 0051 ext 223 Toll Free 866 883 TEST 8378 Fax 801 785 8699 www autometertest com Auto Meter Products Inc 413 West Elm Street Sycamore IL 60178 Service 815 899 0801 Toll Free 866 883 TEST 8378 www autometer com test ...

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