Battery Tester recommendations?

[RDB85]

I’m looking to buy a Battery Tester for Intruder and Fire Alarms. Can anyone recommend one or is selling one?

 

[Timbo]

I use one of these, albeit an older one.

https://cpc.farnell.com/act-meters/chrome-ibt/battery-tester-sla/dp/IN06758

Try eBay.

 

[RDB85]

I use one of these, albeit an older one.

https://cpc.farnell.com/act-meters/chrome-ibt/battery-tester-sla/dp/IN06758

Try eBay.

Ouch! They are expensive. Just looked on eBay and there doesn’t seem to be any bargains.

 

[Timbo]

Here's a couple for you:

ACT 612 Intelligent Battery Tester (rarely used) | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for ACT 612 Intelligent Battery Tester (rarely used) at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

ACT Gold plus intelligent battery tester very good condition | eBay

<p>ACT Gold plus intelligent battery tester very good condition. Condition is "Used". The tester works as should . New leads . No bag or instructions </p><p>Please see my other listing for Hochiki programmer </p><p>Both advertised else where</p>

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[RDB85]

Here's a couple for you:

ACT 612 Intelligent Battery Tester (rarely used) | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for ACT 612 Intelligent Battery Tester (rarely used) at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

ACT Gold plus intelligent battery tester very good condition | eBay

<p>ACT Gold plus intelligent battery tester very good condition. Condition is "Used". The tester works as should . New leads . No bag or instructions </p><p>Please see my other listing for Hochiki programmer </p><p>Both advertised else where</p>

www.ebay.co.uk

Are the Gold Plus ones any good? As I’m not sure what the difference is between the models?

 

[Timbo]

I use the Gold. It's about 12 years old. Those two I linked to are newer models.
They have replaceable leads and do 6v as well.

 

[RDB85]

I use the Gold. It's about 12 years old. Those two I linked to are newer models.
They have replaceable leads and do 6v as well.

I will have a look at a Gold Plus one. See if I can find one with a case. There is a pink one on eBay there ?

 

[telectrix]

I use one of these, albeit an older one.

https://cpc.farnell.com/act-meters/chrome-ibt/battery-tester-sla/dp/IN06758

Try eBay.

for that money i could replace 15 alarm batteries for new ones. then i'd have maybe 10 good ones for bench use.

 

[telectrix]

I will have a look at a Gold Plus one. See if I can find one with a case. There is a pink one on eBay there ?

pink case????? don't bring it to the Kop End.

 

[RDB85]

pink case????? don't bring it to the Kop End.

Not a pink case Tel. A pink tester. Must be a special edition ?

ACT INTELLIGENT BATTERY TESTER GOOD USED CONDITION | eBay

ACT INTELLIGENT BATTERY TESTER GOOD USED CONDITION. Condition is "Used". Dispatched with eBay delivery – Packlink 2-3 days.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[telectrix]

Not a pink case Tel. A pink tester. Must be a special edition ?

ACT INTELLIGENT BATTERY TESTER GOOD USED CONDITION | eBay

ACT INTELLIGENT BATTERY TESTER GOOD USED CONDITION. Condition is "Used". Dispatched with eBay delivery – Packlink 2-3 days.

www.ebay.co.uk

YUK.

 

[Timbo]

Not a pink case Tel. A pink tester. Must be a special edition ?

ACT INTELLIGENT BATTERY TESTER GOOD USED CONDITION | eBay

ACT INTELLIGENT BATTERY TESTER GOOD USED CONDITION. Condition is "Used". Dispatched with eBay delivery – Packlink 2-3 days.

www.ebay.co.uk

AC/DC?

 

[RDB85]

AC/DC?

I know plus those battery leads look cheap and nasty.

 

[RDB85]

Is anyone selling one on here by any chance?

 

[Timbo]

I haven't used mine since December.......
But I haven't been to work, either. ?
I've got an operation to relieve a prolapsed disc on Friday next week, so not likely to be back at work for another 6 months.

 

[ruston]

I haven't used mine since December.......
But I haven't been to work, either. ?
I've got an operation to relieve a prolapsed disc on Friday next week, so not likely to be back at work for another 6 months.

Good luck @Timbo.
A prolapsed disc gets your full attention.

 

[RDB85]

I haven't used mine since December.......
But I haven't been to work, either. ?
I've got an operation to relieve a prolapsed disc on Friday next week, so not likely to be back at work for another 6 months.

Sorry to hear that.

 

[Timbo]

Good luck @Timbo.
A prolapsed disc gets your full attention.

Thanks.
The pain makes sure it gets it's (un)fair share of the attention! Can't drive due to the painkillers and drug-driving laws.

 

[ruston]

How did you do it? Was it something simple?

 

[Mike Johnson]

How accurate does it have to be and what does it measure, there are some very cheap ones on the market that seem to work, but as Tel said just replace them if you think they have been in a while, then on your report just say "Fire Alarm battery replaced" looks better than "Fire Alarm battery tested"

 

[Mike Johnson]

Good luck Timbo, but how did you do it, nothing simple I hope, some amazing story, if not make one up.

 

[RDB85]

How accurate does it have to be and what does it measure, there are some very cheap ones on the market that seem to work, but as Tel said just replace them if you think they have been in a while, then on your report just say "Fire Alarm battery replaced" looks better than "Fire Alarm battery tested"

It’s basically got to measure the Ah in the battery and Voltage. They get replaced between 3-5 years anyway. It’s just for servicing which is every 6 months.

 

[Mike Johnson]

The bar graph show 100% does not take much effort the estimate the capacity left. Amazon.co.uk - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Digital-Battery-Tester-Universal-Voltage/dp/B08B83NZM6/ref=sr_1_11?

 

[RDB85]

The bar graph show 100% does not take much effort the estimate the capacity left. Amazon.co.uk - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Digital-Battery-Tester-Universal-Voltage/dp/B08B83NZM6/ref=sr_1_11?

Its used for testing 12v batteries. You can also test car batteries with the ACT ones I think. They are quite expensive and being an Adult Apprentice it’s a lot to outlay.

 

[Mike Johnson]

£9.99 is a lot to outlay?

 

[Lucien Nunes]

Obvoiusly there is a difference between a voltage tester that just shows the state of charge (regardless of the battery capacity) and a capacity tester that shows the battery performance and hence useful life. The capacity testers take a small amount of charge out and use a formula to estimate how much charge would be available if it were completely discharged. Obviously it is quick and convenient but not as accurate or reliable as a full discharge test.

 

[Rockingit]

Not a pink case Tel. A pink tester. Must be a special edition ?

ACT INTELLIGENT BATTERY TESTER GOOD USED CONDITION | eBay

ACT INTELLIGENT BATTERY TESTER GOOD USED CONDITION. Condition is "Used". Dispatched with eBay delivery – Packlink 2-3 days.

www.ebay.co.uk

I once got arrested by a female Police Sgt who actually had genuine police issue handcuffs, in pink powder-coat!

 

[Mike Johnson]

@Lucien Nunes Quite so, but think it's a bit of overkill to test a Fire Alarm Battery, just a test between inspections giving an idea of state of charge I would of thought was enough.

 

[Mike Johnson]

I once got arrested by a female Police Sgt who actually had genuine police issue handcuffs, in pink powder-coat!

Was this in the privacy of your own home or the privacy of a room in West End of London?

 

[Rockingit]

Was this in the privacy of your own home or the privacy of a room in West End of London?

It was in an actual Police custody suite, sadly! And...... the reason was...... I'd already been wrongfully arrested after a false allegation by my pyscho ex and taken in for questioning (later released without charge) but in the search prior to going into the holding cell I had my CK electricians lock-knife in my pocket and so got re-arrested on suspicion of carrying a weapon!!

 

[Lucien Nunes]

just a test between inspections giving an idea of state of charge I would of thought was enough.

When permanently on float, knowing the state of charge will tell you that the charger is working, but not whether the battery is any good. You might have a life-expired 7Ah block that is down to a usable capacity of only 1Ah, but that 1Ah is fully charged and will read good. The capacity tester uses Peukert's exponent and/or other methods to calculate from a quick discharge what will happen when current is drawn over a period of time.

 

[DPG]

When permanently on float, knowing the state of charge will tell you that the charger is working, but not whether the battery is any good. You might have a life-expired 7Ah block that is down to a usable capacity of only 1Ah, but that 1Ah is fully charged and will read good. The capacity tester uses Peukert's exponent and/or other methods to calculate from a quick discharge what will happen when current is drawn over a period of time.

I think I had a pint of that at our local real ale pub.

 

[ruston]

I think I had a pint of that at our local real ale pub.

I used to drink a similar Pint when I was young . It was called Newcastle Brown Ale. It was the quantity not the quality that caused the reaction though.

 

[Timbo]

Good luck Timbo, but how did you do it, nothing simple I hope, some amazing story, if not make one up.

Nothing fancy, just general abuse and wear & tear over the years.
A warning to all - look after your back! If you get a chance to go on a Moving & Handling/Lifting course it's worth doing, even for an update as techniques develop over time and the way it was done 20, 30, 60 years ago may

 

[ruston]

Nothing fancy, just general abuse and wear & tear over the years.
A warning to all - look after your back! If you get a chance to go on a Moving & Handling/Lifting course it's worth doing, even for an update as techniques develop over time and the way it was done 20, 30, 60 years ago may

I could not agree more. I slipped a disc when I was very young, bending over to pull an arrow out of the ground. It has plagued me all my life.

 

[Lucien Nunes]

I think I had a pint of that at our local real ale pub.

Quite an acidic, citrusy flavour that has. I like citrus ales but less strong, Ghost Ship is good. I don't like the stuff we keep on tap in the workshop, Old Suds I think it's called.

 

[Timbo]

Obvoiusly there is a difference between a voltage tester that just shows the state of charge (regardless of the battery capacity) and a capacity tester that shows the battery performance and hence useful life. The capacity testers take a small amount of charge out and use a formula to estimate how much charge would be available if it were completely discharged. Obviously it is quick and convenient but not as accurate or reliable as a full discharge test.

The other way to test batteries is the spanner test!

Remove battery and splash a 13mm spanner across the terminals - if you don't get any or much of a spark the battery is clucked. Please don't try this in areas with explosive/flammable gases or liquids.

 

[RDB85]

Kept me entertained this thread. I take it no one has one for sale?

 

[Mike Johnson]

In my younger days I used to test batteries with my tongue, kept me going all day. ?

 

[Lister1987]

ACT tend to be the go-to for most FD&A contractors I've found. If you're doing FD&A as part of an FD&A company (and not as a 1 man band job), generally these are supplied by the employer.

 

[ruston]

In my younger days I used to test batteries with my tongue, kept me going all day. ?

I still do that with PP9's

 

[RDB85]

ACT tend to be the go-to for most FD&A contractors I've found. If you're doing FD&A as part of an FD&A company (and not as a 1 man band job), generally these are supplied by the employer.

I wish my employer was that generous. We have to supply our own power tools, hand tools and any testers. Only items they have are the solo fire test kits and a MFT.

 

[Mike Johnson]

If your employer insists the batteries are tested ask him how you can do it without them supplying the equipment?

 

[RDB85]

If your employer insists the batteries are tested ask him how you can do it without them supplying the equipment?

Very true, but they don’t care. I would rather do the job properly even if my employer won’t. I’m looking to move on when I have my qualifications anyway. Plus I’m looking to go into Electrical but after a year of trying I couldn’t get an employer to take me on. I need to do my Portfolio, T&I and AM2.

 

[Villa2]

If you don't have a good quality car battery tester, you'll never really have an accurate idea of what condition your battery is in and how much of a charge it's really capable of retaining.

One of the most overlooked aspects of vehicle maintenance is making sure your battery is in good working order. An unexpected car battery failure can throw a spanner in the works. A car battery tester is a cost-effective way to test your battery and make sure it's in good condition before you set off.

 

[Lister1987]

If you don't have a good quality car battery tester, you'll never really have an accurate idea of what condition your battery is in and how much of a charge it's really capable of retaining.

One of the most overlooked aspects of vehicle maintenance is making sure your battery is in good working order. An unexpected car battery failure can throw a spanner in the works. A car battery tester is a cost-effective way to test your battery and make sure it's in good condition before you set off.

Not quite the vain of topic but you bots are certainly getting better at interaction.....

 

[Timbo]

Not quite the vain of topic but you bots are certainly getting better at interaction.....

Carefulthe bots will be getting vain!