Battery Load Test: Two Questions
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,146
Likes: 1,940
From: Hagerstown MD
St. Jude Donor '15-'16,'18
Battery Load Test: Two Questions
1. Is it safe to use the positive battery connection under the hood to have AutoZone conduct a load test of my battery? I would rather not have them try to access the battery itself.
2. Is it true that a load test can actually hasten battery failure?
My battery is now just over 3 years old but is almost always on a CTEK and I have not noticed any issues but do not want to get caught in the middle of nowhere with a dead battery.
Thanks.
2. Is it true that a load test can actually hasten battery failure?
My battery is now just over 3 years old but is almost always on a CTEK and I have not noticed any issues but do not want to get caught in the middle of nowhere with a dead battery.
Thanks.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 836
Likes: 89
From: Tucson Az
2017 C7 of Year Finalist
Get a Solar Battery tester. It will measure how many cranking amps are left in the battery. My battery is rated at 420 cca and if it falls below 300 I change it. I believe a battery needs between 150 and 200 cca to start a car.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 13,602
Likes: 12,865
From: Virginia
1. Is it safe to use the positive battery connection under the hood to have AutoZone conduct a load test of my battery? I would rather not have them try to access the battery itself.
2. Is it true that a load test can actually hasten battery failure?
My battery is now just over 3 years old but is almost always on a CTEK and I have not noticed any issues but do not want to get caught in the middle of nowhere with a dead battery.
Thanks.
2. Is it true that a load test can actually hasten battery failure?
My battery is now just over 3 years old but is almost always on a CTEK and I have not noticed any issues but do not want to get caught in the middle of nowhere with a dead battery.
Thanks.
A load test should not damage or hasten battery failure for a good battery so your 36 month old battery that has been cared for should be fine.
Now if you load test a a 5-6 year old battery on it's last leg even though it passes load-test don't be surprised if if dies a week or two later. Load testing does put stress on a old battery.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,671
Likes: 850
From: New Jersey
Using the underhood terminals will give a falsely low CCA measurement from a battery load tester, due to the impedance/resistance of the long cables. For an accurate reading, it should be done at the battery terminals. A load test will not harm the battery.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,146
Likes: 1,940
From: Hagerstown MD
St. Jude Donor '15-'16,'18
Added: At the dealer now getting the battery load test. No charge for the test.
Battery passed load test with flying colors. Tech asked if I used a maintainer. When I told him I did he said he could tell. He said battery was as good as a new one.
Last edited by rmorin1249; Oct 10, 2018 at 01:21 PM.
