Fixed Load Testers; Conductance Testers - Cub Cadet 2000 Series Professional Shop Manual

2000 Series Tractors

Fixed load testers

Fixed load testers (sometimes called toasters) are
inexpensive load testers found at any auto parts store.
See Figure 7.51.
NOTE: Because they have a fixed load value, they
do not give most batteries a reliable and safe
load test. Most fixed load testers have a load
that is more than 50% of the rated CCA of
riding mower batteries. This makes them
inappropriate to use on smaller pieces of
outdoor power equipment.
NOTE: Fixed load testers are often referred to as
"toasters" because of the way that the
resister element heats up and because of
the way these testers tend to "toast" batter-
ies.
1. Disconnect the battery cables, ground first.
2. Measure the temperature of the electrolyte in the middle cells.
3. Connect a voltmeter and the load tester to the appropriate terminals.
4. Apply the test load for 15 seconds. Monitor the meter on the load tester for the battery's performance.
5. Refer to the manufacturer of the tester on how to read the test meter.
6. The results of this test are not accurate and should only be relied on if the battery fails badly.
NOTE: Do not use any fixed load tester on a battery under 200 CCA. Doing so can boil the water out of the
battery and damage the plates in the battery.

Conductance testers

There are several brands of conductance battery testers presently on the market. Conductance battery testers
use the battery being tested as their power source. These testers send a small AC signal through the battery to mea-
sure the capacity of the plate to hold a charge.
Conductance testers are very easy to use and are far less damaging to the battery being tested. For these rea-
sons, conductance battery testing is the preferred method of battery testing.
NOTE: Contact the manufacturer of the tester being
used for specific test procedures.
1. Connect the tester to the battery.
2. Set the tester to the CCA rating of the battery.
3. Initiate the test.
4. Read the display of the tester. The tester's display
will indicate if the battery passed or not.
See Figure 7.52.
132
Figure 7.51
Test Results
Figure 7.52