We have answered some common questions surrounding battery testers below. If you have any additional questions or you would like to find out more, please call 0121 514 0605. Alternatively, browse our available battery testers here.

Q: What do I do if my battery tester is broken, or doesn’t appear to be functioning correctly?

A: If you call our team, we can assess the initial health of your battery tester over the phone, to determine whether there is a fault, whether it can be rectified over the phone, and how to send the battery tester to us if not, using our handy online form.

Q: Why is my battery tester giving abnormally high or low temperature readings?

A: It is likely the temperature sensor has broken or detached from the circuit board. You should return the battery tester to us using the repair form here, for inspection and repair.

Q: What is the best way to test if a 24v battery set is in balance?

A: The EXP1000FHD battery tester is currently the only battery management equipment available that can test whether a 24v battery set is in balance, by measuring the voltage, cranking amps, and internal resistance of both batteries.

The EXP1000FHD tests both batteries individually, before combining the tests into a report on the tester and on a print-out if applicable.

Q: What training is required to use a battery tester?

A: Very little training is needed to operate a conductance-based battery tester. We typically recommend you understand the battery application (12v/24v set), what type of battery you’re testing (Flooded/EFB/AGM), and what the rated value of the battery is (1000amps/550amps etc) before a battery test, to make sure test results are accurate.

Q: Where should you test a battery?

Batteries should always be tested on the battery terminals if possible. In cases where the battery terminals are not accessible, you can test on the jump post instead, but this will not provide the most accurate test result.

In this case, if a battery replace decision is received, it should be verified through testing on the battery terminals, as internal resistance may produce a misdiagnosis.

Q: Who should be responsible for using a battery tester in the workshop?

A: Some workshops specify a battery tester must be used by an electrician or a qualified technician, but the testing process is very simple and safe.

As long as you follow what it says on the battery tester screen and apply common sense, anyone should be able to perform a battery test.  

Q: Why do you need to remove surface charge before using a battery tester?

A: The reason we ask technicians to remove surface charge from a battery is to ensure test result accuracy.

Imagine you’ve got a pint of beer with a frothy head. The froth can make the pint appear full, but when it is removed, there may actually be only a third of a pint there. Surface charge can make a battery appear fully charged when it is in fact not once surface charge has been removed.

TOP TIP: If you have the CPX900, it automatically removes surface charge as a built-in feature.

Q: Why is a temperature sensor an important feature on a battery tester?

A: Midtronics battery testers are unique with their temperature sensor feature, which is designed to improve the accuracy of a battery test result.

Most battery testers simply ask if a battery is above or below 0°C to take into account performance dips. A true temperature reading improves the accuracy of a test result, whilst also providing a good sense of whether there’s a fault with the battery tester itself. For example, if the tester said it was +400°C, there’s a good chance it’s not working as it should be!

Q: How do I know if my battery tester is giving an inaccurate reading?

A: If you suspect your battery tester has a defect, you can test the same battery twice to check. If the second battery test provides a completely different reading, there may be an issue with the tester.

Error messages on the battery tester may also indicate an issue, including “check clamp connection”, and “no battery voltage detected”.

Q: How much information will a battery tester hold when out of Wi-Fi range?

A: They will hold unlimited information, but the more test results there are on a battery tester, the longer it will take to upload when reconnected to Wi-Fi. We recommend battery testers are kept within Wi-Fi ranges wherever possible, to minimise upload times, and prevent data loss if a tester becomes damaged. 

Q: How long does a battery tester last?

A: If you look after your battery tester, it could potentially last you a lifetime. We have customers who have been using their battery testers for over ten years.

We recommend upgrading or changing battery testers when software has become outdated, but with newer testers such as the CPX900, you can update software wirelessly, ensuring test result accuracy.

To prolong the lifespan of your battery tester, we recommend an annual service and calibration, along with verifying that cables are in good working condition to perform a test.

Q: Can older battery testers damage EFB or AGM batteries?

A: Conductance-based testers do not do damage to batteries or discharge them during the test process. They offer a safe testing environment for technicians, irrespective of battery condition.

However, older style Load testers can cause the risk of injury to the user through risk of igniting expelled gases from the battery. Furthermore, every time they are used, they discharge the battery.

In addition, they are not an accurate means of testing modern batteries.

Q: Can you use an Amp Clamp with any battery tester?

A: Currently you can only use an Amp Clamp with an EXP1000FHD battery tester – giving the increased benefit of measuring battery drains and supporting the overall accuracy of a full system test if required.