BATTERY TESTER

[lpugh]

A 500 amp carbon pile tester is what you want for a 1000 amp battery. Like you stated, you want to apply 1/2 of the CCA which is 500 amps for 15 seconds. This tester, which is rated for batteries up to 1000 CCA, requires a 1 minute cool down between tests and no more than 3 tests in a 5 minute period. If you hit a battery with 500 amps 3 times in a 3 minute period, you will see very quickly if the battery is any good. I know this one is probably not the greatest in the world but it has worked very well for a few years now. I have used it on batteries that had more than 1000 CCA. If a battery with more than 1000 CCA can’t hold up to a 500 amp load, then you know it is bad.

Nope, running it at its max it will need more than a minute to cool down, Using a 1000 amp pile will be only 1/2 its capacity and the tester will provide good long term accurate service. That HB carbon pile is defiantly a pile. I would not rely on one even if I had a new unit to test every battery I checked, there chargers are of about the same quality as well

[Mike2718]

Nope, running it at its max it will need more than a minute to cool down, Using a 1000 amp pile will be only 1/2 its capacity and the tester will provide good long term accurate service. That HB carbon pile is defiantly a pile. I would not rely on one even if I had a new unit to test every battery I checked, there chargers are of about the same quality as well

I will admit a lot of Harborfreight stuff is hit or miss but I must have a good one since it has worked fine for a few years. The main purpose is to put a load on the battery and this one definitely puts a load on the battery. The manual states 1 minute rest between tests. I actually wait 1 1/2 to 2 minutes between tests and I put a fan on it after each test. I haven’t had any issues so far, HOWEVER, I only test them 3 times a year so it doesn’t get a ton of use. I figure for $50, if I get 5 or 6 years out of it, I’m good with that. I’m sure you are right that there are some better ones out there but so far mine has worked well. I don’t buy any of their stuff that I will use a lot but I’ve had good luck with their stuff that doesn’t get a ton of use. When this one konks out, I will probably buy a better one but until then I’ll keep using this one. I don’t use their chargers either, I use a Dual Pro Charger which are top notch chargers.

[whatroads]

I simply use a volt/ohm meter. I've done this for years with my travel trailer
12.6 or above full charge
12.5 90%......simple web browser lookup will fill in the rest
Below 12 dead cell replace battery

[mikesxpress]

Allot more to actually testing the battery than just checking the voltage.

[lpugh]

I simply use a volt/ohm meter. I've done this for years with my travel trailer
12.6 or above full charge
12.5 90%......simple web browser lookup will fill in the rest
Below 12 dead cell replace battery

Well you have proven one thing and that is, you should not be testing batteries