How To check condition of battery

[the Ferret]

I had read some good things online about a Voltage tester with LCD display by Deltran, the company that makes Battery Tenders including the Battery Tender Jr models that I use on my bikes and ATV.

The battery in my ST is just shy of 4 years old and the one in the CB is 1 1/2 yrs old. As I am leaving on a 7 day, 6 state trip on the ST Monday I thought it might be wise to get one of these little units which plugs directly into the battery tender pigtail installed on all my bikes. Using this there is no need to remove seats, or body panels for a quick check of the battery's condition.

Here is the unit itself, very small, maybe 1 1/2" x 3/4" just guessing.



Here is the unit next to the pigtail coupling already installed on the CB. Male prong from the unit goes into the female coupling on the pigtail, just as you would plug in your battery tender

[url=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/theferret111/media/image.jpg2_zpse8brnjhi.jpg.html]

Voltage reading 13 Volts. If it is over 12 volts a green led lets you know that the battery is good. Less than 12 volts you will either get a yellow light indicating your battery is weak, or the dreaded red light indicating your battery is bad. Once meter is read, just unplug and put in your tool box.

[url=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/theferret111/media/image.jpg3_zps0n6sidow.jpg.html]

My ST recorded 12.7 volts.

The unit retails for around $17, but I have seen them as low as $12 on line. Not bad for piece of mind. At least I pretty confident my battery won't let me down 3 states away when I leave on the trip next week.

Not a bad tool to have in the toolbox, especially as your bike, or it's battery gets some age on it.

(Not where I got mine but found googling the unit. I bought mine at my local shop)

[url=http://www.batterymart.com/p-081-0157-digital-voltage-indicator-lcd.html]http://www.batterymart.com/p-081-0157-digital-voltage-indicator-lcd.html




.

[Lord Popgun]

Here is a link to the Deltran site for the unit: http://www.batterytender.com/Accessories...splay.html

Like Ferret said you can get them cheaper and from all kinds of motorcycle accessory sites.

[veech_imp]

Very cool idea. I'll have to pick one up.

[flynrider]

If the ST has an AGM battery, 12.7 is kinda near the low end of the scale for resting voltage. A new fully charged AGM should hold a resting voltage of 13V or slightly higher.

If the ST has a conventional lead/acid then it's right on the money. You should expect to see 12.6V or so for a fully charged lead/acid battery.

My Lithium Ion battery has a typical resting voltage of 13.5V. The manufacturer says it shouldn't fall below 12.8V. If it does, it needs to be put on a charger.