For 12-volt automotive starting batteries
and starting/charging systems
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
BBT-205
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BBT-205
Contents
Registering Your tester ............................................................................. 5
Caution ............................................................................................. 6
Capabilities ............................................................................................... 6
Display and Keypad.................................................................................. 6
Preparations Before the Test .................................................................... 8
Connecting the Tester ............................................................................... 8
Battery Test ............................................................................................... 8
Battery Test Results ........................................................................... 10
Starter System Test ................................................................................ 10
Starter System Test Results .............................................................. 11
Charging System Test ............................................................................ 11
Charging System Test Results ......................................................... 11
Test Messages........................................................................................13
Options Menu .........................................................................................15
Print Results ..................................................................................... 15
View Results ..................................................................................... 16
Perform Test ..................................................................................... 16
Set Address ...................................................................................... 17
Language .......................................................................................... 17
Changing the Printer Paper .................................................................... 18
Troubleshooting the Printer .................................................................... 19
Troubleshooting the Display ................................................................... 20
Replacing the 9-Volt Battery ................................................................... 20
Specications ......................................................................................... 21
Patents, Limited Warranty, Service.........................................................22
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BBT-205
Registering Your tester
Before using your tester, we recommend that you register it online to activate your warranty. Registration will also make it faster and easier for you
to obtain technical support and service.
To register, log on at www.midtronics.com/warranty.html and have your
serial number ready. The number is at the bottom of the label on the back
of the tester.
Serial Number Label
The back of the tester also provides clamp holders for keeping your clamps secure when
not in use.
Serial number
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BBT-205
CAUTION
Because of the possibility of personal injury, always use extreme caution
when working with batteries. Follow all BCI (Battery Council International)
safety recommendations.
Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead
compounds, chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.
Capabilities
The Battery & Electrical System Tester tests 12-volt regular, AGM, and gel
batteries, and 12-volt starting and charging systems of passenger cars
and light trucks. It displays the test results in seconds and features a builtin printer to provide customers with a copy of the results.
Additional features include the ability to:
• test batteries rated from 100 to 1200 CCA
• detect bad cells
• protect against reverse polarity
• test discharged batteries
• test multiple rating systems (CCA, SAE, DIN, EN, IEC)
• provide a multi-lingual user interface with 19 languages
Display and Keypad
IMPORTANT: If you connect the tester to a voltage source greater than
30 Vdc, you may damage the tester’s circuitry.
The menu-driven display will then guide you step by step through the test
process. Use the keypad buttons to scroll to and select options in the
menu.
!
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BBT-205
1 Use the UP and DOWN ARROW
buttons to choose test parameters
and scroll to menu options.
2 Use the ENTER button to make se-
lections.
3 Use the BACK button to move to
the previous screen or to move
back one space when creating a
custom header for your printed test
results.
4 Briey press and hold the MENU
button to display these options:
PRINT RESULTS
VIEW RESULTS
PERFORM TEST
SET ADDRESS
LANGUAGE
Use the ARROW buttons to scroll
up or down to options in the list,
and press ENTER to select.
For information about the options, see “Options Menu” on page 15.
To turn off the tester when not connected to the battery, briey press and
hold the MENU button.
1
2
Printer
3
4
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BBT-205
Preparations Before the Test
Before connecting the tester, clean the battery posts or side terminals with
a wire brush and a mixture of baking soda and water. When testing sidepost batteries, install and tighten lead terminal adapters.
IMPORTANT: Do not test at steel bolts. Failure to install terminal adapters
or installing terminal adapters that are worn or dirty may result in inaccurate test results. To avoid damage, never use a wrench to tighten the
adapters more than 1/4 turn.
If you are testing in the vehicle, make sure all accessory loads are off, the
key is not in the ignition, and the doors are closed. If the vehicle was running before the test, turn on the headlights to remove the battery’s surface
charge. Let the battery rest for at least 1 minute to recover before testing.
Connecting the Tester
• Connect the red clamp to the positive (+) terminal and the black
clamp to the negative (–) terminal.
• For a proper connection, rock the clamps back and forth. The tester
requires that both sides of each clamp be rmly connected before
testing. A poor connection will produce a CHECK CONNECTION
or WIGGLE CLAMPS message. If the message appears, clean the
terminals and reconnect the clamps.
• The preferred test position is at the battery terminals. If the battery is
not accessible, you may test at the jumper post; however, the available power measurement may be lower than the actual value.
Battery Test
After you press ENTER, scroll to each parameter using the UP or DOWN
ARROW button and press ENTER to select. If any messages appear dur-
ing the test, see “Test Messages” on page 13.
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1.
BAT. LOCATION: Scroll to and select OUT OF VEHICLE for a battery
not connected to a vehicle or IN VEHICLE. The in-vehicle test includes
the options of testing the starting and charging systems.
IMPORTANT: The performance of the starting and charging systems
depends on the battery’s condition. It is important that the battery is
good and fully charged before any further system testing.
2. BATTERY TYPE: Scroll to and select REGULAR lead-acid, AGM, or
GEL.
3. STANDARD: Scroll to and select the battery’s rating system. The
available rating systems and their ranges are:
Standard Description Range
CCA Cold Cranking Amps, as specied by SAE.
The most common rating for cranking
batteries at 0 ºF (–17.8 ºC).
100–1200
EN Europa-Norm 100–1200
IEC International Electrotechnical Commission 100–550
SAE Society of Automotive Engineers, the
European labeling of CCA
100–1200
DIN Deutsche Industrie-Norm 100–550
4. BAT. RATING: Scroll to and select the rating units. They increase and
decrease by ve units. To increase scrolling speed, press and hold the
UP or DOWN ARROW button.
5. Press ENTER to start the test. Within seconds the tester displays the
results, which consist of a decision on the battery’s condition and its
measured voltage. The tester also displays your selected battery rating and the rating units.
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BBT-205
Battery Test Results
Decision Interpretation
GOOD BATTERY Return the battery to service.
GOODRECHARGE
Fully charge the battery and return to service.
CHARGE
& RETEST
Fully charge the battery and retest. Failure
to fully charge the battery before retesting
may cause inaccurate results. If CHARGE &
RETEST appears again after you fully charge the
battery, replace the battery.
REPLACE
BATTERY /
CHECK
WARRANTY
A REPLACE BATTERY result may also mean a
poor connection between the battery cables and
the battery. After disconnecting the battery cables,
retest the battery using the out-of-vehicle test
before replacing it.
Perform warranty procedure
BAD CELL
/ CHECK
WARRANTY
Perform warranty procedure
If you have completed an out-of-vehicle test, the display alternates between the battery test results and the message PRESS FOR TO PRINT.
Because the printer is powered by the voltage of the battery you are testing the battery voltage must be greater than 9 volts. Keep the clamps
connected and press ENTER. For more information about the printer, see
“Changing the Printer Paper” on page 18 and “Troubleshooting Printer
Problems” on page 19.
To quit before printing, disconnect the clamps. Remember to print out your
test results before the next test.
IMPORTANT: The tester retains the results of the last test only. When you
start a new test, the last results are overwritten.
Starter System Test
If you have completed an in-vehicle test, the display alternates between
the battery test results and the message PRESS FOR STARTER TEST.
To continue, start the engine at the prompt.
The display alternates between the decision on the starter system and the
measured voltage drop.
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BBT-205
Starter System Test Results
Decision Interpretation
CRANKING
VOLTAGE OK
The starter voltage is normal and the battery is
fully charged.
CRANKING
VOLTAGE LOW
The starter voltage is low and the battery is fully
charged.
CHARGE BATTERY The starter voltage is low and the battery is dis-
charged. Fully charge the battery and repeat the
starter system test.
REPLACE BATTERY
CHECK WARRANTY
If the battery test result was REPLACE or BAD
CELL, the battery must be replaced before testing the starter.
If you have completed an in-vehicle test, the display alternates between
the battery test results and the message PRESS FOR CHARGING
TEST. With the engine running, press ENTER to continue.
IMPORTANT:
Before starting the test, inspect the alternator drive belt. A
belt that is glazed or worn, or lacks the proper tension, will prevent the
engine from achieving the rpm levels needed for the test.
Charging System Test
The display alternates between the decision on the charging system and
the alternator’s peak output voltage.
Charging System Test Results
Decision Interpretation
CHARGING
VOLTAGE OK
The system is showing normal output from the alternator. No problem detected.
CHARGING
VOLTAGE NONE
The alternator is not providing charging current to
the battery.
√ Check the belts to ensure the alternator is ro-
tating with the engine running. Replace broken
or slipping belts and retest.
continued
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BBT-205
Decision Interpretation
CHARGING
VOLTAGE NONE
(continued)
√ Check all connections to and from the alterna-
tor, especially the connection to the battery. If
the connection is loose or heavily corroded,
clean or replace the cable and retest.
√ If the belts and connections are in good
working condition, replace the alternator. (Older
vehicles use external voltage regulators, which
may require only replacement of the voltage
regulator.)
CHARGING
VOLTAGE LOW
The alternator is not providing enough current to
power the system’s electrical loads and charge the
battery.
√ Check the belts to ensure the alternator is rotat-
ing with the engine running. Replace broken or
slipping belts and retest.
√ Check the connections from the alternator to the
battery. If the connection is loose or heavily corroded, clean or replace the cable and retest.
CHARGING
VOLTAGE HIGH
The voltage output from the alternator to the
battery exceeds the normal limits of a functioning
regulator.
√ Check to ensure there are no loose connec-
tions and that the ground connection is normal.
If there are no connection problems, replace the
regulator. Most alternators have a built-in regulator that requires replacing the alternator. In
older vehicles that use external voltage regulators, you may need to replace only the voltage
regulator.
continued
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BBT-205
Test Messages
In some cases the tester asks for additional information before completing
a test. It may also warn you of a condition that prevents proper testing.
Test Message Interpretation
BATTERY TEMP.
ABOVE or BELOW
0° C
If the tester detects that the temperature of the
battery may make a difference in the result, it
will ask you to select if the battery temperature is
above or below 0 ˚C. It will resume the test after
you make your selection.
BEFORE or
AFTER CHARGE
For a more decisive result, the tester may ask if
you are testing the battery before or after charging.
If the vehicle has just been driven, select BEFORE
CHARGE. It will resume the test after you make
your selection.
continued
Decision Interpretation
CHARGING
VOLTAGE HIGH
(continued)
The regulator controls voltage output based on
the battery voltage, under-hood temperature, and
vehicle loads used. In other words, it controls the
maximum voltage the system can produce based
on the current needs and amount of current that
can be produced by the spinning of the rotor in
the alternator. The normal high limit of a typical
automotive regulator is 15.0 volts +/–0.5. Refer
to the manufacturer specications for the correct
limit, which may vary by vehicle type.
A high charging rate will overcharge the battery
and may decrease its life and cause it to fail. If
the battery test decision is REPLACE / CHECK
WARRANTY and the charging system test shows
CHARGING VOLTAGE HIGH, check the battery’s
electrolyte levels. A symptom of overcharging
is battery uid spewing through the vent caps,
which causes low electrolyte levels and harms the
battery.
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BBT-205
Test Message Interpretation
CONNECT TO
BATTERY
Connect both clamps to the battery terminals.
CHECK
CONNECTION
One or both clamps are not making proper contact
with the battery terminals. The tester requires that
both sides of each clamp be rmly connected before
testing.
√ For a proper connection, rock the clamps back
and forth. If the message reappears, clean the
terminals and reconnect the clamps.
NON 12-VOLT
SYSTEM
DETECTED
√ You are conducting an out-of-vehicle test on a
non-12-volt battery or batteries connected in series. Disconnect the batteries and test them individually.
REVERSE
CONNECTION
The clamps are connected in the wrong polarity:
positive to negative or negative to positive.
SURFACE
CHARGE
DETECTED
The battery will hold a surface charge if the engine
has been running or after the battery has been
charged. The tester may prompt you to remove the
surface charge before it begins testing.
√ Follow the tester’s instructions indicating when
to turn the headlights on and off. The tester will
resume testing after it detects that the surface
charge is removed.
SYSTEM NOISE/
UNSTABLE
BATTERY
The tester has detected computer, ignition noise, or
parasitic drain, and will attempt to retest. Make sure
all vehicle loads are off, the doors are closed, and the
ignition is in the off position. The tester automatically
retests when it no longer detects system noise. If the
message reappears:
√ Disconnect the clamps and retest.
√ You may be testing too close to a noise source,
such as a charger or other high-current device.
If so, move away and retest.
continued
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BBT-205
SYSTEM
NOISE/
UNSTABLE
BATTERY
(continued)
√ If you are unable to nd the source of the noise,
fully charge the battery and retest. If the message
appears after recharging, test the battery out of
the vehicle.
√ A battery that is weak, or that has just been
charged, may retain enough electrical activity to
for the tester to detect and will adversely affect
the test results. A fully charged battery should stabilize quickly, after which the tester will automatically retest. Weak batteries should be charged
and retested. If the battery is fully charged, check
the clamp connections.
WIGGLE
CLAMPS
The clamps are not making good contact with the
battery terminals.
√ Rock the clamps back and forth. If there message
reappears clean the terminals and reconnect the
clamps.
Options Menu
To select the following options, press and hold the MENU button. Use
the UP or DOWN ARROW button to scroll to an option and press
ENTER to select.
Print Results
Select this option to print the results of the last test you performed on the
battery, starter and charging system. To power the tester, connect the tester to a 12-volt battery with over 9 volts of power.
IMPORTANT: Remember to print the results before you start a new test.
The previous results are overwritten by the new test results.
An example of a printed battery test result is shown on the next page.
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BBT-205
For information on changing the printer paper and troubleshooting, see
pages 18 and 19.
View Results
Select this option to view the last performed battery, starter and charging
system test.
Perform Test
Select this option to perform a battery test without rst connecting to a
battery.
Printed results for a battery test
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BBT-205
Set Address
Select this option to create a header for your printed test results showing
your store name, address, and phone number. There are six lines with 16
characters per line. The lines contain a default header, which is displayed
two per screen that you can overwrite.
To help you edit and center your coupon use a pencil to write the information in the template below before entering it into the tester.
Header Template
Line 1
Line 2
Line 3
Line 4
Line 5
Line 6
To create a header:
1. Select SET ADDRESS from the menu.
2. The cursor blinks below the character that is ready for editing. Use the
ARROW buttons to scroll to the character that you want to edit.
3. Press the ENTER button to select and move to the next space.
NOTE: Insert a blank space by scrolling to the space character located
between the Z and 0 (zero) characters and press ENTER. Press the
BACK button to move the cursor back one space.
4. Continue until you have entered all of the information. Exit by entering
the last available character.
Language
Select a language for the tester’s user interface and printouts.
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BBT-205
Changing the Printer Paper
The integrated printer is shipped with a roll of thermal printing paper installed in the paper compartment. The roll size is 2-1/4 inches wide by 1-
7/8 inch in diameter. Replacement rolls are available at most ofce supply
stores.
The tester uses only thermal printing paper.
To replace the paper roll:
1. Unlock the printer door by gently pressing forward on the red lever.
Remove the spent roll.
2. Place a new roll of paper in the compartment, and pull the paper for-
ward so that it extends past the serrated edge of the paper slot.
paper
compartment
release lever: press in this direction
paper
sensor
paper feeds from
underneath the roll
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BBT-205
3. Close the door and make sure the lever locks securely.
NOTE: For a clean tear, pull the paper along the edge of the plastic.
Do not pull the paper straight out of the printer.
Troubleshooting the Printer
If the tester is not connected to a 12-volt battery with at least 9 volts of
power or the paper sensor does not detect paper in the compartment during the print process, the tester displays one of the error messages described in the table:
Error Message Interpretation
INSERT PAPER
THEN PRESS
√ Verify that the paper is inserted correctly.
√ Insert a new roll of paper.
√ Verify that the paper sensor is clean and un-
damaged
VOLTAGE TOO
LOW TO PRINT
To print, the tester must be properly connected to a
vehicle battery having at least 9 volts.
√ Connect to a vehicle battery with enough volt-
age to enable printing.
√ Make sure that the clamps are connected prop-
erly: red clamp to the positive (+) terminal and
the black clamp to the negative (-) terminal.
√ Check that both sides of the clamps are mak-
ing contact with the terminals.
paper
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BBT-205
Troubleshooting the Display
If the display does not turn on:
• Check the connection to the vehicle battery.
• The vehicle battery may be too low (below 1 volt) to power the analyzer. Fully charge the battery and retest.
• The analyzer’s 9-volt battery may need to be replaced. Follow
the directions in “Replacing the 9-Volt Battery” and replace the
9-volt battery (alkaline recommended).
• If the analyzer does not power on when you press and hold the
MENU button, replace the 9-volt battery.
Replacing the 9-Volt Battery
The tester uses a 9-volt battery (alkaline recommended) that allows testing of 12-volt batteries discharged down to 1 volt in addition to supplying power while the option menu is active. The tester can test down to
5.5 volts when the internal 9-volt battery is not functioning.
NOTE: The tester retains setup information while you change the 9-volt
battery.
1. Turn the tester face down.
2. Remove the screw securing the battery compartment cover using a
small Phillips screwdriver.
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BBT-205
3. Slide the door off as shown in the illustration.
4. Remove the discharged battery.
5. Insert a 9-volt battery as shown below, making sure the positive and
negative terminals are positioned correctly.
6. Reposition the cover and tighten the screw.
Model:
• BBT-205
Display:
• LCD graphics display
Temperature Compensation:
• Tester-prompted
Operating Temperature:
• -18 ˚C to 50 ˚C
• 5 ˚C to 40 ˚C (printer)
Test Range:
•
100–1200 CCA, 100–1200 SAE,
100–550 DIN, 100–1200 EN,
100–550 IEC
Built-in Printer:
• Powered by battery under
test
Voltage Range:
• Tests 12-volt batteries down
to 1 volt
Cable Length:
• 533.4 mm
Power Requirements:
• Uses power of battery
under test or 9-volt battery
Voltmeter:
• 0 to 30 Vdc +/- 0.05 Vdc
Languages: 19
Housing Material:
• Acid-resistant ABS plastic
Dimensions:
• 230 mm x 102 mm x 65 mm
Weight:
• 499 g
Specications
slide the door in this direction
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BBT-205
Patents
The tester is made in the U.S.A. by MIDTRONICS, INC. and is protected by one or more of the following U.S. Patents: 6,323,650; 6,316,914;
6,304,087; 6,249,124; 6,163,156; 6,091,245; 6,051,976; 5,831,435;
5,821,756; 5,757,192; 5,592,093; 5,585,728; 5,572,136; 4,912,416;
4,881,038; 4,825,170; 4,816,768; 4,322,685; Canadian patents: 1,280,164;
1,295,680; United Kingdom patents: 0,417,173; 0,672,248; German patents: 689 23 281.0-08; 693 25 388.6; 93 21 638.6; and other U.S. and
Foreign patents issued and pending. This product may utilize technology
exclusively licensed to Midtronics, Inc. by Johnson Controls, Inc. and/or
Motorola, Inc.
Limited Warranty
This battery tester is warranted to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for a period of two (2) years from date of purchase. Midtronics
will, at our option, repair the unit or replace the unit with a remanufactured
tester. This limited warranty applies only to the Midtronics battery tester and
does not cover any other equipment, wear and tear parts such as the cable,
static damage, water damage, over-voltage, dropping the unit or damage
resulting from extraneous causes including owner misuse. Midtronics is
not liable for any incidental or consequential damages for breach of this
warranty. The warranty is void if owner attempts to disassemble the unit,
or to modify the cable assembly.
Service
To obtain service, purchaser should contact Midtronics for a Return Authorization number, and return the unit to Midtronics freight prepaid; Midtronics
will service the tester and reship. If Midtronics determines that the failure
was caused by misuse, alteration, accident, or abnormal condition of operation or handling, purchaser will be billed for the repaired product and unit
will be returned freight prepaid with freight charges added to the invoice.
Battery testers beyond the warranty period are subject to the repair charges
in effect at that time.
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168-914A-GB 03/07 Midtronics, Inc. All rights reserved.
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