Battery Test via Current Draw

Battery Test via Current Draw

By checking a battery's current draw capacity during charging, a decision can be quickly made as to whether a partially or exhaustively discharged battery, refer to => [ Exhaustively Discharged Battery ] Exhaustively Discharged Battery can be made usable again by recharging or if it must be replaced.

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

• Battery Charger (VAS 5095A) and

• Trigger Clamp 100A (VAS 5051B/7) or

• Battery Charger (VAS 5900) or

• Battery Charger (VAS 5903) or

• Battery Charger (VAS 5904) or

• Battery Charger (VAS 5906)

• When charging with the (VAS 5095A), the battery current draw must be measured, for example, with the (VAS 5051B/7). The battery chargers (VAS 5900), (VAS 5903), (VAS 5904) and (VAS 5906) display the current draw on the device.

• For more information regarding the battery charger, refer to the operating instructions that came with the charger.

Procedure

• The battery temperature must be at least 10 °C (50 °F).

• The battery charger must be able to deliver at least 30 amps (A), for example as with the battery chargers (VAS 5095A), (VAS 5900), (VAS 5903), (VAS 5904) and (VAS 5906).

• Battery charger connected and turned on.

- Measure the battery charge current after 5 minutes of charging.

• Specified value: The charge current must be higher than 10% of the nominal capacity.

• Example: Charge current on a 60 AH battery after 5 minutes of charging: greater than 6 A.

- If the target value is reached, proceed with the charging operation until the battery is fully charged.

- Then test the battery with the battery tester:

• With the (VAS 6161) without a waiting period. Refer to => [ Battery Testing, using VAS 6161 ] Battery Testing, using VAS 6161.

• With the (VAS 5097A) after a 12 hour waiting period following charging. Refer to => [ Battery Testing, using VAS 5097A ] Battery Testing, using VAS 5097A.

- If the specified value is not met, replace the battery.

• If the battery must be replaced, follow the disposal regulations. Refer to => [ Pollution risk. ] Lead Acid Battery Warnings and Safety Precautions.