Elk Battery LifeTester -BLT User Manual

Battery LifeTester

ELK-BLT

The NEW and improved ELK-BLT v.2 Battery
LifeTester is a compact, easy to use Mhos Meter for

testing 12 Volt rechargeable batteries. Unlike ordinary
testers which only measure static criteria, the LifeTester
measures internal conductivity, which is the best
indicator of a battery’s health and life expectancy. The
conductivity value, expressed in Mhos (the inverse of
Ohms or resistance), is easily compared to benchmark
readings from the included Mhos Chart. The chart then
categorizes the battery condition as “Best, Good, Weak,
or Bad”. Every battery type has a characteristic Mhos
value when it is brand new and fully charged.

The LifeTester is powered by the battery under test and
automatically warns when the battery voltage is too low
for testing.

v.2 Mhos Meter

Features

• Does not discharge or damage the battery .

• Tests 12 Volt Rechargeable Batteries.

• Display Shows Battery Volt age and Mhos.

• Warns if battery voltage is too low.

• Replaceable test leads.

• Includes padded carrying case.

• Includes self-adhesive test data labels. **

• Lifetime Limited Warranty.

Specifications

• Operating Volt age: 10.0V - 14 V olts D.C.

• Current Draw: 1.1 Amp s Max., 0.0016 Ah for full test.

• Battery Leads: ~12 Inches.

• Size: 4.4” W x 3”H x 1.15”D w/o carrying case.

** To reorder a pack of 100 test data labels specify: ELK-BLT LABELS.

PO Box 100 • Hildebran, NC 28637 • 800-797-9355 • 828-397-4200
Fax [phone] • www .elkproducts.com • [e-mail]

05/04

ELK

PRODUCTS, INC.

Instructions

1. Disconnect the battery from it’s equipment.

2. Connect the BLACK test clip to the Negative (-) battery terminal, and the RED to the Positive (+) terminal. (For accurate

readings, the test clips must be tightly clipped directly to the battery posts, not to the battery bolts).

“Err” or blank indicates battery voltage is too low for testing or a test clip connection is loose.

Try charging the battery or reconnecting the test clips.

3. The Voltage of the Battery will display briefly. A new battery, out of the box, will generally read around 12.6 Volts. A fully­charged battery should read between 12.6 Volt s and 13.5 V olts.

“- - -” indicates test in process, please wait.

4. The Mhos (internal conductance) reading of the battery will display within 6 seconds.

5. Refer to the Mhos Chart. In the Ah column, find the battery size. Follow across the row to find the closest match to it’ s Mhos

reading. The column heading and color code indicates the test results.

NOTE: The Mhos chart printed on the BLT is best suited for batteries under charge and at room temperatures of
around 72F degrees. This covers most batteries, even in cold basements or buildings, since the battery will be kept
warm by the recharging and by being inside the electronics enclosure. However, since cooler temperatures can
significantly lower the Mhos reading of a battery, this instruction manual has a more extensive Mhos chart with
columns for evaluating batteries that are being adversely affected by 62F , 52F, and 42F degree environments. Also
see How Temperature affects a Battery

ELK - BLT

6. For future reference mark the battery with the Volt age, Mhos reading, and test date.

Automatic Shutdown

If the LifeTester is left connected to a battery for more than 30 seconds after the test is complete, it will automatically shutdown to
conserve battery power. Disconnecting and reconnecting a test lead will rest art the test procedure.

Recording Battery Readings

LifeTester measurements should be taken and recorded periodically . The popular method is to record the information onto self-
adhesive labels placed directly onto the battery. A supply of these labels is included with the tester. Additional labels may be
ordered in packs of 100 by specifying part number ELK-BL T LABELS. This information will be valuable in future tests for trending
analysis. The recorded data should include:

A. The Date of the test.
B. The Battery Voltage reading. (optional)
C. The Mhos reading.

A new “fresh out of the box” battery that has not been charged should have a Mhos value in the high side of the Good column and
quite possibly into the Best column. See the Mhos chart. If the reading is considerably lower, charge the battery for at least 24
hours and then retest.

Battery performance degrades over time due to use and abuse, and may be impacted by many factors like depth and frequency of
discharge. The higher the Mhos value the more current the battery can deliver . Therefore, a new 7 amp-hour battery will have a
higher Mhos value than a new 4 amp-hour battery of the similar construction.