Battery Load Testers (Battery testers or Battery Analyzers) are important instruments to check the condition of Batteries. Without any complicated calculation, the best battery load tester shows directly the status of a battery. Even more, it suggests the necessary action to users.
Why should we test the condition of batteries?
Batteries are necessarily used in electronic devices. It provides power to these devices. Remote areas use batteries to power their homes.
Nowadays, Electric cars run on batteries. If the battery is good, these electronic devices will work properly. The battery will provide the necessary voltage and current to the device.
If the battery fails to provide the necessary power, the device won’t work properly. Often, this abrupt change in power causes damage to devices. Thus, faulty batteries lead to damaged devices.
For the sake of avoiding any damage, it is always suggested to keep monitoring the performance of batteries once a week. It will help to:
- Stop the damage to a battery
- Keep our devices safe
- Keep our battery healthy
- Counter any financial burden
- Keep the overall performance good
One cannot always hire a technician for this purpose. Thus, manufacturing companies came up with a better solution to provide a battery load tester that is friendly to common people as well as helpful for professionals.
Our market works on the formula of “supply and demand”: demand increases supply and hence the price increases. This article will answer “how to pick the ideal battery load tester”.
Best Battery Load Tester
As long as you have the right battery load tester, checking the status of the battery is no longer a difficult task. Also, one does not need a high level of expertise in electrochemistry to test a battery. All you require is to pick the best battery load tester.
There are a number of best options available in the market, like the Schumacher BT-100 and KONNWEI KW208. These are widely seen in workshops and technicians trust these two instruments. They are both reliable, durable, and accurate in results.
However, we choose the 7 best battery load testers in this article that are tested and listed based on the following discussed factors.
Choosing Ideal Battery Load Tester
Before enlisting our choices, we should discuss the factors of judging a device. The following are a few factors:
a. Ratings
The rating is a common term in electronics. Every device or instrument must clearly mention its operating voltage and current along with its reading threshold: called rating.
Generally, a battery of 12V powers many devices although current changes from battery to battery. It is up to the user to pick a device more suitable to use.
b. Mechanism
As mentioned earlier, there is a variety of models. Again, it is user oriented. The battery load tester comes in two types of mechanisms:
Analogue
It is more basic and laymen styled. It is rough and simple; consists of a needle, giving readings according to the status of the battery. As one connects the terminals and toggle switch from “off” to “on”, it gives you the status of the battery.
The needle stops where it deems to stop. It also shows you the value of voltage and current. Electricians and shopkeepers prefer this model.
Digital
As obvious from the name, this model has an LCD display to show you the readings in simple English language. In contrast to analog, it shows the values with high accuracy. It is popular among people for its user friendliness. Moreover, these models are quick to give responses.
c. Accuracy
The device with minimum error is considered more accurate. Accuracy is clearly mentioned in the ratings of an instrument. For sensitive devices, the powering battery must be judged with the maximum accurate measurement.
Generally, analog Battery Load testers give a 0.02V error, and digital gives a 0.002V error. It means if we read 11V on the tester, then the exact value will be 10.98V (for Analogue) and 10.998V (for digital).
d. Durability
A harsh-environmental friendly instrument is mostly preferred. If an instrument sustains falls and properly works in harsh conditions; it is considered a good choice. Every brand takes this factor into consideration and passes its instruments with different tests to check its durability, sustainability, and thresholds.
e. Sensitivity
A highly sensitive battery load tester is good at measuring the condition of low batteries or dead batteries. Sensitivity tells us the minimum value an instrument can sense.
Hence, we should include this factor in the selection of an instrument. Clients often protest about the non-functionality of a load tester as they ignore the factor of sensitivity.
f. Cranking Rating
The amount of current a battery discharges in 30 sec is known as the cranking of a battery. It generally drops the voltage of a battery of 12V to at least 7.2V at 32F (0C). The higher the cranking rating, the better the battery. It is generally mentioned with CCA (Cold Cranking Amperes)
Shortlisted Best Options
Keeping in view the above factors and some others, we have listed our best selection of battery load testers. Our top seven collections are given below:
1. TOPDON BT20
BT20 is designed by a prestigious automobile industry, TOPDON. It is simple and accurate. Commonly, it is chosen for its ability to connect with smartphones where it performs additional tests and shows the graphical representation of a battery’s health.
This model exhibit the following features:
- This model is digital and hence has high accuracy
- It tests 10-20V battery (No CCA test at 12V)
- It checks the battery of current rating of 100 Amps
- 6 LEDs are installed that promptly show the status of the battery
- Weighs 350 grams, easy to carry
- LCDs display for showing voltage value
- Connects with the smartphone through the app for other tests
- Reverse polarity safety is installed
In a short summary, the TOPDON BT20 (Amazon link) is a good battery load tester. It connects with smartphones, has quick response, and has 2 years warranty with a troubleshooting facility. All these features are quite impressive for such a low price.
The only downside of this model is, it has no spark protection
2. MOTOPOWER MP0515A
MOTOPOWER, as obvious from its name, is an automobile brand. Model MP0515A is a smart instrument that tests the battery with precise readings. Durability and sustainability are frequently witnessed. It is good for long term use and is comparatively efficient.
Salient features:
- It is Digital with high accuracy
- It checks the battery of voltage rating 12V
- Current ratings are 100 amps and 2000 CCA
- It is light in weight that is 350 grams
- Large LCD screen with clear options
- Available in 9 languages (in setting)
- Battery powered
In a short summary, the MOTOPOWER MP0515A (Amazon link) is a smart tool for testing batteries. The brand provides it with a reasonable price, 2 years warranty, and complete satisfaction of the client.
3. TOPDON BT100
Topdon BT100 is a popular battery load tester for cars. It is a good battery analyzer. Mainly, its quick responsiveness gives it a good position among other devices.
Prior to giving any value, the added LEDs display the status of a battery vividly. The prescribed ratings are common for testing common batteries.
Salient features:
- It is also Digital with low error in reading
- This model checks the standard battery of Voltage 12V
- Current ratings are 100 Amps and 2000 CCA
- LEDs promptly show the status of the battery
- It is light in weight that is 9oz (~255 grams) hence easy to carry
- It is durable
In a short summary, the TOPDON BT100 (Amazon link) is a good battery load tester. This model operates efficiently in adverse conditions. Moreover, the brand offers a 30 days warranty with a contact number for troubleshooting.
4. Schumacher BT-100
The Schumacher-Electric brand designs electronic instruments for automobiles. Schumacher BT-100 is specifically designed for testing the batteries of bikes and cars.
However, its application is not limited to automobiles only. It also gives accurate results for low-voltage batteries (in laptops, toys, etc).
Salient features:
- It is analog and simple to read for common folks
- It checks battery of voltage 6V and 12V
- The current rating is 100 amps and 1000 CCA
- It weighs 2 pounds (~900 grams), easy to put in the toolbox
- Simple to use for non-professionals
- Provided with a handle
In a short summary, the Schumacher BT-100 (Amazon link) is widely seen in battery workshops. These instruments are durable, accurate, and available in different models at low prices.
5. OTC 3181
OTC-Tools is an electromechanical brand. Their electronic devices are mainly mechanical in nature. Majorly, they design electro-mechanical tools for the automobile industry.
OTC 3181 is a battery load tester based on mechanical systems. It sustains good health after many work hours which is not common in analog instruments.
Salient features
- It is analog and straightforward in reading
- Battery powered, easy to carry
- It checks batteries of Voltages 6V and 12V
- The current rating is 130 Amps, which is common for our use.
- Weighs 1.38 grams, quite light to carry
- Heavy duty instrument
- Easy to grab
Well if one needs just simple and straightforward test results of a battery without any augmented function, OTC-3181 (Amazon link) would get the job done. It tells the status of a battery within 10 sec.
6. FOXWELL BT705
It would be strange to ignore Foxwell BT705 in the discussion of battery load testers. This model is advanced and all purpose. It is a trustworthy instrument in reading, sustainability, durability, long-term use, and safety.
Salient features:
- It is Digital and precise in reading
- 12-24V Voltage of battery can be easily tested
- The current rating is 100A -2000 CCA
- Battery powered
- LCD Display with distinctive reading ability
- Tests alternators charger
- Extra safety installed
- Reverse polarity protection
- Spark protection
In a short summary, the FOXWELL BT705 (Amazon link) helps to monitor the status of the battery up to 24V with extra safety. It is smart in design and durable. Battery designers rely on this instrument to test batteries.
7. KONNWEI KW208
KONNWEI KW208 is another best collections in our stock. It comes from KONNWEI, a prestigious brand. It is trusted for its efficiency, durability, and easy reading.
Moreover, this instrument gives many degrees of freedom to users while assessing data.
Salient features:
- It is Digital and accurate in readings
- Check voltage up to 12V with 100-2000 CCA
- It is light in Weight that is 230 grams
- Battery powered
- LCD display
- Gives all parameters like (Voltage, Current, Ampere-hour, internal resistance, etc.)
- It is also an alternator charger tester
- The accuracy level is 99.5% and safe to use
- Show status on screen with suggestions
In a short summary, the KONNWEI KW208 (Amazon link) is widely used for batteries in automobiles, boats, bikes, trucks, ATVs, etc. Users trust this device and car technicians usually have this instrument in their toolboxes. It is simple and extensive in reading data at a reasonable price.
Conclusion
Long story short, a battery load tester tests the capability of DC Batteries. It suggests the action needed to be taken in order to keep our battery and device safe. We went through a number of factors in order to shortlist the best option for our use.
We choose the best battery load testers by examining the following factors:
- Ratings
- Durability
- Mechanism (Analogue/ digital)
- Sensitivity
- Accuracy
- Reasonable price
- 7. Additional functions
- Reasonable price
However, we narrowed down these factors and chose a single option in case you are not interested in going through all, that is KONNWEI KW208 (Amazon link). It is the best choice we suggest to our students and clients. It is reliable, digital, accurate, easy to grab, durable, and easy to read. The reasonable price made it popular among laymen and beginners.
Question Answer Session
Q1: What is a good battery load tester?
A good battery load tester is reliable, handy, easy to use and durable in harsh conditions. As mentioned above, we should check ratings, durability, mechanism (digital/analogue), sensitivity, accuracy, additional function and of course price.
The above shortlisted good battery load testers have fulfilled all these requirements. Hence, we choose it in this blog.
Q2: How should we use a battery load tester?
It is too simple. Just connect the load tester with the battery with respect to its polarity (Red wire with positive terminal of battery and Black wire with negative terminal of battery). And then toggle the on/off button to on. Note the readings, simple!
Q3: How should I choose between analogue and digital battery analyzer?
If you are buying an instrument for an automobile, utility or any large size battery, then it is good to have analogue. However, digital equally helps in all types of batteries and the accuracy is comparatively high. I suggest you go for a digital one.
Q4: Can we use a battery load tester for dead batteries?
Of course yes. It will answer your every question about the specimen. It gives you every possible result that you can expect for checking the condition of a battery.
Q5: Why shouldn’t we stick to multimeters for testing a battery?
A multimeter is a measuring instrument; in contrast, a battery load tester is a testing device. A multimeter will tell you the voltage, current and internal resistance a battery has; oppositely, a battery load tester will tell you the good, bad, or worse condition of the battery.
Q6: What is the difference between DC Electronic Load Tester and Battery Load Tester?
DC Electronic Load Tester is designed for every type of DC power source and gives you the required reading; meanwhile, Battery Load Tester is dedicated only to batteries and shows the condition of a battery along with some related readings.
Q7: How should we treat spark problems if there is no spark safety?
It is always advised to connect the terminals with the battery before shutting the instrument “on”. It will stop sparks and the instrument will be safe. The procedure should be followed whether there is spark safety or not.
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