Auto Meter BVA-460 Operator'S Manual Download Page 2

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CONGRATULATIONS!

BVA-460

Load Test Capacity ...............................................120 Amp

Battery sizes.........................................................100-1600 CCA

Display ................................................................7" (1024X600) LED, Wide Viewing Angle

Volt Ranges ..........................................................Digital 0-30

Cooling .................................................................Vented

Leads ...................................................................Load Amp-2 1/2 ft., 6 Gauge

Size ......................................................................19" X 9" X 3"

Internal Battery .....................................................7.4 Volt Lithium Ion

Weight ..................................................................7 lbs.

What to Expect from the BVA-460:

Immediately recognize a bad battery and perform a complete starting and charging

system analysis.

The BVA-460 is a portable full-featured menu-driven battery tester,

starting, and charging system analyzer that provides quick, professional load results using

Auto Meter's Digital Pulse Load. The BVA-460 is user friendly. It tells you what to do.

Detailed test results provide next steps advice and are displayed after each test or can be

reviewed and/or printed.

Caution:

The BVA-460 grill may get hot after repeated use. Be sure 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 vehicle's electrical charging and starting system with speed and

accuracy. If you should have any questions about your tester, testing procedures, or service

see the last page of this booklet for contact information.

Summary of Contents for BVA-460

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

Page 2: ...ults using Auto Meter s Digital Pulse Load The BVA 460 is user friendly It tells you what to do Detailed test results provide next steps advice and are displayed after each test or can be reviewed and or printed Caution The BVA 460 grill may get hot after repeated use Be sure 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 ...

Page 3: ...Test 22 24 Voltage Drop Test Results 25 Optional Current Probe 26 Printing Test Results 27 Troubleshooting 28 Warranty 29 Contact Information 30 Note The BVA 460 checks and load tests 6 volt and 12 volt Batteries and tests the starting and charging systems on 12 volt and 24 volt systems The following examples illustrated are for a 12 volt system The BVA 460 automatically identifies the appropriate...

Page 4: ...nected to any other tester or charging unit Damage may 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 batte...

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: ...te 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 WiFi section for instructions on setting up the wireless connection AMPNET The data from your BVA 460 can be downloaded to the optional data management software known as AMPNET This is s...

Page 7: ... an IR temperature sensor that is used to measure the temperature of the battery you are testing Charging Amp Clamp Port This connector serves two purposes When the unit is not being used the included AC charger can be connected to this port and the Control module and Load module batteries will be charged automatically This port also connects to the optional charging station When running tests wit...

Page 8: ...ist of the test that have been done and allows the user to view all the details of the test Update software screen allows the user to update both the Control modules application or the Load module firmware Battery Status screen shows the state of charge of the batteries in the Control module and the Load module CONTROLS AND FUNCTIONS cont ...

Page 9: ... Press Set time and enter the local time in the resulting setting box Press the Back Arrow twice to return to the main menu Setup Wifi From Main Menu press SETTINGS Scroll down and press WiFi Setup Select your local WiFi from resulting list Enter password for your local WiFi in resulting setting box Once password has been entered press Connect Press the Back Arrow twice to return to the main menu ...

Page 10: ...sults 3 Temperature F of C 4 Set to default to use previously used battery rating unit Clear to use previous rating value 5 Set to default to use previously used rating value Clear to use default rating value 6 Set to show a Near End of Life result Clear to show only Good and Bad battery result 7 Default CCA Value 8 Set will calculate cranking RPM starter result Clear skips calculation 9 WiFi Setu...

Page 11: ...ted from all charging sources 3 Plug USB flash drive into connector on the right side of tester 4 Wait a few seconds for the USB flash drive to be detected The following screen will be displayed 5 Choose SAVE DATA and press OK 6 Choose data format and press SAVE 7 Wait a few seconds and remove USB flash drive ...

Page 12: ...e 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 Do not use battery cleaner to clean clamps Connect Black Clamp to Negative Terminal Connect Red Clamp to Positive Terminal Use the side terminal feature on the clamp to connect battery side terminals When testing dual pos...

Page 13: ... will appear and the rating can be typed in Press save to go back to the Battery Test screen When the Select Battery Type area is pressed the battery type can be selected Press the battery type you are testing and the unit will go back to the Battery Test screen The battery types the BVA 460 can test are Starting Standard and Starting AGM BATTERY TEST When the Measure Battery Temp area is pressed ...

Page 14: ...to service The battery passed the test but had a low initial voltage Charge the battery and then return to service The battery passed the test but is near its end of life The battery is OK for mild conditions but may not start a vehicle in hot or cold conditions The battery did not have sufficient remaining capacity to pass the test The battery should be replaced immediately Next Page If the engin...

Page 15: ...ects Check the ignition switch and any magnetic switches for loose or bad wiring loose mounting or connections and sticking contacts Check for starter solenoid noise The type of noise or the lack thereof can help in diagnosing the problem Does the solenoid click but the starter does not turn Does the starter turn but not engage the flywheel Is the starter sluggish The battery did not have sufficie...

Page 16: ...continue once the connection is correct When you are ready to run the Starting test for gasoline engines make sure the ignition key is in the off position and all accessories are off Press the Start button For diesel engines turn off all the accessories turn the ignition key to the run position and wait for the glow plugs to turn on then turn off Press the Start button Disconnect the Control Modul...

Page 17: ...inish the starting test Note If Large starting current is detected it could be the result of a heavier load found in a diesel engine This screen allows an engine type to be selected If a diesel engine was tested enter how many cylinders the engine has The BVA 460 will finish the starter test The Starting System passed This screen will appear if the battery voltage during cranking was to low ...

Page 18: ...re you start the engine quickly The engine should be warm Turn the ignition on and allow the glow plugs to heat up and click off before you run the Starting Test If the results are out of specification do the following If manufacturer s specifications are not available the chart below can be used as a general guideline The amounts are in Amps Inspect the connectors for excessive voltage drop Repai...

Page 19: ...d tension Check all cables and connections Check the battery for corrosion and dirty terminals Does the battery have a low state of charge Make sure all electrical items are off Check for Alternator noise Select the Charging Test from the menu Make sure the Load Module is connected to the battery and that the engine is running Press the START button to start the test If there is any connection iss...

Page 20: ... which will throttle up the alternator Again the BVA 460 will wait for the vehicles system voltage to stabilize This can take up to 2 minutes Once the voltage is stable the BVA 460 will test the charging system Once the charging test is complete The BVA 460 will display the test results These results include Test Number Voltage regulation Voltage ripple Output current From here you can print the r...

Page 21: ...indicator of a diode failure in the alternator If the charging system fails for low charging current rerun the test while holding the engine at a fast idle speed 1500 2000 RPM This screen will appear if the Charging system tests good This screen will appear if the voltage regulation is bad ...

Page 22: ...tarter terminals The red clamp to the starter positive terminal black to the starter 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 Test in process please wait To set the test current press the Test current box and a numeric keypad will appear Enter in the Starter Current Draw for the vehicle you are testing...

Page 23: ... the battery 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 keypad will appear Enter in the alternator output for the vehicle you are testing Press the Done button and then press the Start Test button If the combined voltage drop of the positive and negative circuit is less than 500mV...

Page 24: ...ed to be connected to the battery posts The small red clamp to the battery the small black clamp to the battery Select the V DROP Test from the main menu Select Generic Cable Test Test in process please wait To set the test current press the Test current box and a numeric keypad will appear Enter in the test current for the circuit you are testing Press the Done button and then press the Start Tes...

Page 25: ... bad result The cable that is bad can be determined by looking at the Pos and Neg drop results In this screen the positive cable is the problem If the combined voltage drop of the positive 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 ...

Page 26: ...ppear 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 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 those wanting these results When the probes is not connected push a...

Page 27: ...ter the Print key has been pressed continue to point the BVA 460 in the direction of the until the print job is complete Wait until the printer stops printing before you press the BVA 460 print key again IR Printing Options 1 PR 12 and AC 14 thermal printers 2 POSI 160 with PR 16 high speed printer 3 XTC 160 with IR 1 printer interface and PR 16 high speed printer Print Test Results from Email 1 W...

Page 28: ...go off for less than a second then turn Red then turn Green On the Control module hold the power button on for at least 5 seconds to turn it back on When the Auto Meter application loads the Modules should now automatically connect The BVA 460 says I need to connect the clamps when I have already connected them Make sure the both jaws of the clamps have a good connection Clean any corrosion from t...

Page 29: ...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 30: ...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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