For testing 12-volt
automotive starting
batteries
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Model No: For batteries rated in:
PBT-100 USA CCA, SAE
PBT-100 AP Asia CCA, SAE, DIN, IEC, & EN
PBT-100 LA Latin America CCA, SAE, DIN, IEC, & EN
PBT-105
Europe CCA, SAE, DIN, IEC, & EN
Battery Conductance Tester
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Caution & Warning ...................................................3
Prior To Testing The Battery ................................3
Testing Out-of-Vehicle ......................................3
Testing In-Vehicle ..............................................3
PBT Testing Advantage ....................................4
Conductance Technology ................................4
Battery Test Procedure ..........................................5
Battery Test Results .................................................5
Charging System Test Procedure ...........................6
Starter System Test Procedure ...............................7
Rating Systems ........................................................7
To Select Battery Rating System ............................ 8
Troubleshooting .......................................................8
•
3
•
PRIOR TO TESTING THE BATTERY
Testing Out-of-Vehicle:
Clean battery posts or side terminals with a wire brush. For
testing side-post batteries, install and tighten lead terminal stud
adapters. Failure to properly install stud adapters, or using
stud adapters that are dirty or worn, may result in false test
results. Do not use steel bolts.
Testing In-Vehicle:
Turn off vehicle and all accessory loads. Testing with the
ignition switch on or vehicle loads on may cause
inaccurate readings.
If vehicle was running prior to testing, turn on headlights for
30 seconds to remove surface charge. Let battery rest for one
minute to recover before starting to test.
CAUTION: Because of the possibility of personal
injury, always use extreme caution when working with
batteries. Follow all BCI (Battery Council International)
safety recommendations.
WARNING: (Required by California Prop. 65) 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.
!
!
•
4
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PBT Testing Advantage:
The PBT-100 digital battery tester uses Midtronics patented
conductance technology to determine if the battery is good or
bad, even when discharged. This means you can safely, quickly,
and accurately test a battery anywhere.
Conductance Technology:
Conductance is a measurement of the battery’s ability to
produce current. To measure conductance, the tester creates
a small signal that is sent through the battery, then measures a
portion of the AC current response. Conductance is a measure
of the plate surface available in the battery, which determines
how much power the battery can supply.
As a battery ages, the plate surface can sulfate or shed active
material which adversely affects its ability to perform. In addition, conductance can be used to detect cell defects, shorts,
and open circuits which will reduce the ability of the battery to
deliver current.
Using conductance, Midtronics testers are able to determine
the battery’s true state of health. A conductance tester does not
put a load on the battery, which means no heat or sparks during
testing. This makes the PBT-100 safe to use anywhere and it is
sized to take everywhere!
•
5
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BATTERY TEST PROCEDURE
1. If testing in-vehicle, make sure vehicle loads (lights, etc.)
are off and the key is removed. Connect the tester clamps
to the battery: red to positive (+), black to negative (–).
Rock each clamp back and forth to make a good connection. The rating system in use will fl ash, then the display
will show a .C.C.A value from which to start.
2. Scroll to the battery’s rating.
3. Press the TEST key
.
4.
Read the results:
BATTERY TEST RESULTS
LEDs
GREEN
YELLOW
GREEN
YELLOW
RED
Decision
Fully charge the battery and return it
to service.
Fully charge the battery and retest.
If you get the same result after
charging, replace the battery.
The battery is good and can be
returned to service.
The battery has failed or is weak and
may soon fail. Replace the battery.
•
6
•
NOTE: A REPLACE reading when testing in the
vehicle may mean a poor connection between the
vehicle’s cables and the battery. Disconnect the
battery cables and retest before replacing the battery.
If conn shows in the display, there is a bad connection.
Disconnect the clamps and reconnect. Make sure to rock the
clamps back and forth to make a good connection.
If the screen fl ickers or shows lines ( - - - ), the battery is too
low (< 8 volts) to test. Fully charge the battery and retest.
CHARGING SYSTEM TEST PROCEDURE
1. Connect to the battery.
NOTE: The battery must be good and fully charged
to do this test.
2. Press the V button to read live voltage.
3. Start the vehicle.
4. Read the voltage while the car is running:
If the Volts reading is between 13.3 volts and 15.5 volts
= Charging System OK
If the Volts reading is greater than 15.5 volts
= Charging System Problem. Check regulator.
If the Volts reading is less than 13.3 volts
= Charging System Problem.
Check connections, wiring, and alternator.
•
7
•
STARTER SYSTEM TEST PROCEDURE
1. Connect to the battery.
NOTE: The battery must be good and fully charged
for this test.
2. Press the V button to read live voltage.
3. Disengage the ignition. (check manufacturer’s instructions)
4. Read the voltage while cranking the starter.
If the Volts reading is greater than 9.6 volts
= Starting System OK
If the Volts reading is less than 9.6 volts
= Starting System Problem.
Check connections, wiring and starter
RATING SYSTEMS
PBT-100:
200 – 850 CCA, SAE
PBT-100 AP, PBT-100 LA, and PBT-105:
200 – 850 A CCA
200 – 900 A SAE
120 – 550 A DIN
120 – 550 A IEC
200 – 900 A EN
For JIS, use conversion
table on back of the tester
•
8
•
TO SELECT BATTERY RATING SYSTEM
1. Connect the negative clamp (black) to the negative
terminal (-).
2. Press and hold the TEST key.
3. Connect the positive clamp (red) to the positive terminal (+).
4. After the display shows the letters of the rating system with
dots, for example, (.C.C.A), release the TEST key.
5. Use the ARROW keys to scroll to the desired rating system.
6. Press the TEST key to select the rating system.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Excessive electrostatic interference may cause the tester to
reset. If the tester resets during testing, simply disconnect from
the battery, reconnect and start the test process again.
If the tester display shows lines, one letter, or fl ashes, the
battery may be too low to test (< 8 volts ). Charge the battery
before retesting.
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