TESTING BATTERY STATE OF CHARGE
Connect the red clip to the positive battery post and the black clip to
the negative post*. The ATD-5494 obtains its power from the battery
under test. The battery’s State of Charge (SOC) voltage will be
displayed as follows:
>12.5V to 12.9V = “GOOD”, Bar Graph Green
12.3V to 12.4V = “MARGINAL”, Bar Graph Yellow
< 12.3V
= “LOW”, Bar Graph Red
Other messages:
13.0V to 13.9V = “SURFACE CHARGE”, (No Bar Graph)
<11.0V = “BAD CELL”, 1 Red Flashing
>13.5V = “CHARGING DETECTED” (ie Engine Running)
*
Note: always connect to the lead battery post with at least part of the clip on the post.
For side mount batteries, use adapter posts P/N B555 (not included- sold separately).
VOLTMETER MODE
Press ENTER while displaying the SOC screen to use the ATD-5494
as a voltmeter. The ATD-5494 will automatically switch to
VOLTMETER MODE when the (non- charging) voltage at the battery
is >14.0V
.
TESTING BATTERY CONDITION
1.
Select the battery size range by pressing the TEST OPTIONS
button. The ATD-5494 will scroll the four ranges on the display
each time the TEST OPTIONS button is pressed as follows:
AUTO:
390 to 749 cca
TRUCK:
750 to1700 cca
NON AUTO:
50 to 199 cca
COMPACT AUTO: 200 to 389 cca
2. Once the correct battery size range is displayed, Press the ENTER
button and the battery condition will be displayed as percent
available capacity.
80% to 100%* = GOOD, bar graph- 1 or more green led’s
70% to 79% = MARGINAL, bar graph- 1 or more yellow led’s
< 70%
= REPLACE, bar graph- 1 or more red led’s
Notes:
1. Some batteries may display above 100%. This means that the available capacity is greater than
the rated capacity.
2. Recharge and retest MARGINAL batteries that show SOC LOW voltage.
3. New Batteries: nearly all new batteries will not reach full capacity until cycled 10-30 times. A
brand new battery will have a capacity of about 5-10% less than the rated capacity. Inactivity can be
extremely harmful to a battery. New batteries that have been on the shelf for many months may
show “marginal” or “replace” when tested, depending on the storage conditions. In that case,
always charge and retest the battery before replacing.
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