How To Test Car Battery Correctly: A Step-by-Step Guide
In this guide, created in the spirit of YOUCANIC ''s expert advice, we''ll walk you through the right way to test a car battery to ensure it''s reliable and ready to power your vehicle.
First, set your multimeter to the DC voltage mode, selecting a range of 15-20V for accurate readings. To measure voltage, connect the black probe to the negative terminal and the red probe to the positive terminal of the battery. For a 12V battery, a voltage reading around 12.6V indicates it's fully charged.
Always check voltage before load testing a battery. Use MIN/MAX to catch voltage drops when starting the engine. Combine this test with ripple voltage and voltage drop tests for a complete system diagnosis. On maintenance-accessible batteries, also check electrolyte level and specific gravity if voltage is low.
Measuring voltage with a multimeter is a straightforward process that can help you assess your battery's health. First, set your multimeter to the DC voltage mode, selecting a range of 15-20V for accurate readings. To measure voltage, connect the black probe to the negative terminal and the red probe to the positive terminal of the battery.
Connect the multimeter to the battery's terminals (red probe to the battery's positive terminal and black probe to the battery's negative terminal). Take the reading on the multimeter. If the reading shows a value greater than 7V for a 9V battery, the battery is still fit to use.
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