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HF battery testers?

M

mmidlam

Member
Harbor Freight sells 3 kinds of auto battery tester.Has anyone compared their accuracy? The newer digital tester is not a load type tester and appears to be a ohmmeter using AC.
 
How many amps you looking for? There's quite a large selection on Amazon. They even have an analog unit that says it tests up to 1000A for under $81.00 - the unit shows 500A on the front, but has two meters.
https://www.amazon.com/ATD-Tools-5489-Variable-Battery/dp/B00IITSB7Y/ref=sr_1_12?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1488830072&sr=1-12&keywords=battery+load+tester
 
I have the HF 500 amp carbon-pile load-tester. I love it. I have compared it to my similar AC Delco 500 amp tester. Readings are the same. My Delco cost me over $200 back in the 1970s. The HF cost me $45 and I like it better then the Delco. The Delco cannot read amps and voltage at the same time. The HF tester can.
 
No one has explained to me how a battery tester that doesn't put a load on the battery works. The shop where I worked obtained a carbon pile tester, and I have always wanted one since, but couldn't justify the expense. A HF store opened near here recently, and I saw a sale price on their carbon pile tester. I bought it. It hasn't been used enough to say so. So far, so good.
 
I have one of their digital testers. So far seems good. Matches expensive unit my battery store uses. Don't think they even have a pile tester anymore.
 
"No one has explained to me how a battery tester that doesn't put a load on the battery works."

They are a convenience device and not foolproof.

False "Good" indications are not uncommon.

Dean
 
I use their carbon pile, elcheapo and works great for me. I've started paying more attention to battery states and that really helps in deciding where I am with one.
 

I used a carbon pile tester at the job, but I disable the ignition by pulling the coil feed and crank the engine with the volt meter on the battery at home.

9.6 volts or more is OK.

$45 for a carbon pile, VAT-40's were $500+???
 
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