Notice: We request that you don't just set up a new account at this time if you are a previous user.
If you used to be one of our moderators, please feel free to reach out to Chris via the facebook Outerlimits4x4 group and he will get you set back up with access should he need you.
Recovery:If you cannot access your old email address and don't remember your password, please click here to log a change of email address so you can do a password reset.

How accurate/reliable are load testers?(and multi's)

For all things Electrical.

Moderator: -Scott-

Forum rules
Post Reply
Posts: 8556
Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2005 9:34 pm
Location: Sydney

How accurate/reliable are load testers?(and multi's)

Post by RockyF75 »

Having starting trouble, yesterday it wouldn't start in the morning, after going for a long drive the previous night (so i'm thinking the battery's not holding charge), but NRMA tells me its my Alternator, as their multimeter only read 12. sumthing at idle.

So I went down to a sparky's to make sure, and on his multimeter it reads ~13.4 at idle, and goes up a bit revving, so apparently the alt is good. But, engine off, he put the battery on a 'load tester' and it wasn't reading as high as it should, and then after when I went to start the car the battery was dead.

Now, this morning, it started fine :? How can a battery not hold its charge one night and then hold it fine the next? And if the auto elec's machine says the battery's cooked, is that definate? Cause i think NRMA are going to be reluctant to replace my battery (under warranty) since sometimes it starts and sometimes it doesn't, i'm worried they'll try and blame the alt :?
60 + Turbo, 33"s :armsup:
Top
Posts: 558
Joined: Sat Dec 11, 2004 4:38 pm
Location: Gold Coast

Contact:
Contact drivesafe

Post by drivesafe »

The way those voltages are varying so much, I would check your battery cables and connections before doing anything, especially your earth straps.

Just an idea.
2007 TDV8 Range Rover Lux
2009 2.7 Discovery 4
Top
Posts: 14668
Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2005 7:10 pm
Location: western shitney

Post by j-top paj »

check the connectors too. make sure the cables have a good solid connection to the battery
Banzy wrote:Dial up internet.........you'd post something and come back 2 beers later to see if it loaded.
my GU
Top
Posts: 8556
Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2005 9:34 pm
Location: Sydney

Post by RockyF75 »

checked all the cables and connections, every things attached and tight.

Could it be the voltage regulator?
60 + Turbo, 33"s :armsup:
Top
Posts: 14668
Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2005 7:10 pm
Location: western shitney

Post by j-top paj »

what did the sparky say about the alternator?
Banzy wrote:Dial up internet.........you'd post something and come back 2 beers later to see if it loaded.
my GU
Top
Posts: 8556
Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2005 9:34 pm
Location: Sydney

Post by RockyF75 »

he said it was fine cause it was charging at ~13.4v Thats all we did to test the alt, put a multimeter to the + cable while the engine was running, and then again when it was off.
60 + Turbo, 33"s :armsup:
Top
Posts: 1094
Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2004 6:58 pm
Contact:
Contact STIKA

Post by STIKA »

what is the charging voltage at full load ie all lights and spotlights on


13.4 volts is at the lower end of the charging scale
Supported By
Milanco
Phones N Alarms
Buds Customs
Top
Posts: 8556
Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2005 9:34 pm
Location: Sydney

Post by RockyF75 »

I think it was around 12.5-12.9, but I'm not 100%
60 + Turbo, 33"s :armsup:
Top
Posts: 1094
Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2004 6:58 pm
Contact:
Contact STIKA

Post by STIKA »

with that sort of voltage it wont charge the battery

i would be taking the alternator off, take to an auto elect, get him to test it .

it may be brushes or the voltage regulator

13.4 is what i would expect ynder full load
Supported By
Milanco
Phones N Alarms
Buds Customs
Top
Posts: 8556
Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2005 9:34 pm
Location: Sydney

Post by RockyF75 »

fair enough. hopefully in a week or so I should have a spare 2nd hand one to play with, just cant afford to not have a car atm.

But the question still remains, if the leccy has tested the battery, and it fails on his machine, is the battery rooted? or could the alt not charging properly make it seem that the battery is dead (i realise that the battery not getting charged properly will shorten its life) I just don't want to throw out a perfectly good battery.
60 + Turbo, 33"s :armsup:
Top
Posts: 1094
Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2004 6:58 pm
Contact:
Contact STIKA

Post by STIKA »

charge it on a bench charger and see how it goes
Supported By
Milanco
Phones N Alarms
Buds Customs
Top
Posts: 14668
Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2005 7:10 pm
Location: western shitney

Post by j-top paj »

STIKA wrote:charge it on a bench charger and see how it goes
;)
Banzy wrote:Dial up internet.........you'd post something and come back 2 beers later to see if it loaded.
my GU
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Auto Electrical”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest