Battery Test
Test Procedure
  1. Check for damage: If the case is cracked or the terminals are loose, replace the battery.
  1. Check indicator (for basic charge condition): Blue or Green is OK. If the indicator is red, peel the tape off, remove the caps, and add distilled water; then reinstall the caps and tape. If the indicator is clear, go to Step 3 .
  1. Test battery load capacity by connecting a battery tester, and applying a load of three times the battery ampere hour rating.
    When the load has been applied for exactly 15 seconds, the battery voltage reading should stay above 10.5 V.
    • If the reading stays above 10.5 V, the battery is OK; clean its terminals and case, and reinstall it.
    • If the reading is between 7.2 and 10.5 V, connect a battery charger and charge the battery for 3 minutes at an initial rate of 40 A.
    Amperage will drop as voltage increases; do not increase the amperage to compensate or you may damage the battery.

    • Watch the battery voltage during the entire 3 minutes; the highest reading should stay below 16 V.
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      If the reading stays below 16 V, the battery is OK; clean its terminals and case, and reinstall it.
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      If the reading exceeds 16 V any time during the 3 minutes of fast charge, the battery is not good; replace it.
    • If the reading drops below 7.2 V, slow-charge the battery by connecting a battery, and charge at 5 A for no more than 24 hours (or until the indicator shows full charge, or the specific gravity of the electrolyte is at least 1.280).
      Then test load capacity again.
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      If the voltage stays above 10.5 V, the battery is OK; clean its terminals and case, and reinstall it.
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      If the voltage still drops below 7.2 V, the battery is not good; replace it.