Thank you for purchasing this CLARKE Battery Tester, which is designed to test the state
and condition of 6 and 12 volt batteries.
Before using this product, read this leaflet thoroughly, and follow the instructions carefully,
with particular emphasis on the safety precautions. This will ensure your own safety and
that of others around you.
Although this product is of rugged construction, it should nevertheless be used with care
and consideration, you can then look forward to it giving long and reliable service.
GUARANTEE
This CLARKE product is guaranteed against faulty manufacture for a period of 12 months
from the date of purchase. Your receipt is required as proof of purchase.
This guarantee is invalid if the product is found to have been abused in any way, or not
used for the purpose for which it was intended.
Faulty goods should be returned to their place of purchase, no product can be returned
to us without prior permission.
This guarantee in no way effects your statutory rights under common law.
OPERATION
With the meter disconnected from the battery, ensure the gauge needle is set to zero,
using the screw on the front of the gauge as necessary.
1. BATTERY TEST.
A.
Connect the RED clamp to the POSITIVE terminal, and the BLACK clamp to the
NEGATIVE terminal, ensuring the contacts are clean and firm, and that on small
batteries, there is absolutely no possibility of the clamps touching each other.
B.
Operate the spring loaded LOAD Switch, and hold for at least 10 seconds to allow
the load to take effect. With the load switch held, read the condition of the battery
on the scale provided, referring to the Battery Analysis chart, opposite.
2. CHARGING SYSTEM TEST
Connect the leads to the battery, as above, and run the engine at a fast idle speed.
Read the gauge (charging system). Do not operate the Load Switch.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
1.
Always avoid creating sparks in a battery charging environment, as this could cause
fire, or even an explosion.
Similarly, it is vital to avoid creating sparks when testing a battery in a motor vehicle in
situ, as spikes in the system could cause serious damage to the vehicle electronic circuitry.
Ensure that the RED or POSITIVE clamp does not touch any other part of the vehicle,
and be particularly careful where you place the tester within the engine
compartment. The main body of the tester is metal, and if placed carelessly, it could
cause a short circuit and hence damage to the electrical system.
2.
Avoid dropping the tester, as this could cause damage, which may not perhaps prevent the
device from working, but could nevertheless cause the readings to be inaccurate.
MAINTENANCE
BATTERY ANALYSIS
Meter reading after 10 seconds of load
LOAD TEST
BATTERY CONDITION
OK (Green Band)
Battery capacity is GOOD. May or may not be fully
charged.
Check the state of charge by checking Specific
Gravity with a hydrometer. If SG is less than Full
charge,check for possible charging system trouble.
Re-chargebattery to full charge
WEAK or BAD
Battery capacity is unsatisfactory. Battery may be:
but needle is steady.
a) defective or b) partly discharged.
To determine which, check Specific Gravity.
If SG is over 1.225, the battery is considered defective.
If SG is below 1.225, re-charge battery and re-test.
If difference in cell to cell SG is greater than 0.025
(25 points), cell trouble may exist.
If charging does not bring SG to full charge level, then
battery is either sulphated, or has lost its active material.
WEAK or BAD
Battery may be defective (e.g. A bad cell).
and needle is falling
For a quick check, release load switch, and note
voltmeter reaction.
If voltage recovers to its full potential after only a
few seconds, the battery is probably defective.
If the voltage recovers slowly, the battery may only
be very run down.
For more accurate results, check Specific Gravity
and follow above procedure.
TEMPERATURE COMPENSATION
Battery temperature
0
O
C
-10
O
C
-20
O
C
Decrease battery rating by:
1 STEP
2 STEP
3 STEP
1 STEP = 50 CRANKING AMPS
As the metal clamps are liable to come into contact with battery electrolyte, it is advisable
to wipe them clean and dry after use, and apply a thin film of silicon grease to prevent the
possibility of corrosion.