User manual ELK PRODUCTS ELK-BLT V.2

[. . . ] Disconnect the battery from it's equipment. ELK - BLT 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. [. . . ] 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. 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. Instructions How Temperature affects a Battery ELK - BLT Generally speaking, temperatures below 72F degrees tend to slow down a battery's internal activity, causing a significant decrease in the Mhos (conductivity) reading as the temperature falls. Cool temperatures (not below freezing) will tend to prolong a battery's life. Temperatures above 72F cause a battery's internal activity to accelerate, but with only a slight increase in the Mhos reading. Warm temperatures will tend to dry out and degrade a battery much faster than normal. 100 F degrees = 105 % of normal Mhos (conductivity) 72 F degrees = 0 % no adjustment 62 F degrees = 92 % of normal Mhos (conductivity) 52 F degrees = 87 % of normal Mhos (conductivity) 42 F degrees = 82 % of normal Mhos (conductivity) 32 F degrees = 76 % of normal Mhos (conductivity) ELK Products is not responsible for misprints or errors. These Mhos values are benchmark averages, created from fresh samples of major brand batteries. If you find consistent, minor variations in readings from multiple samples of a battery, it's likely due to manufacturing differences. However, if the readings are excessively low, the battery is not as good as the benchmark average. If this chart does not include the battery you are testing, it may be necessary to generate the values using the procedure below. Adding to the Battery Mhos Chart If the battery you are trying to test is not included in the Battery Mhos Chart it may be necessary to research and generate the data on your own. The following procedure will help with this task. Start with 2 or 3 fresh new batteries out of the box. The battery voltage should be around 12. 6 Volts or higher. Place the batteries in service (on charge) for 24 hours. Remove them from charge and measure the Mhos reading of each one. This will be the baseline number from which the Best, Good, Weak, and Bad columns are calculated. The "Best" column will be 90% of the baseline number. The first and second numbers in the "Good" column are 80% and 89% of the baseline. The first and second numbers in the "Weak" column are 70% and 79% of the baseline. The "Bad" column is 0% and 69% of the baseline. Instructions Accumulating Trend Analysis over a Period of Years ELK - BLT Trending of periodic Mhos measurements can yield valuable insights for estimating the remaining life of the battery. [. . . ] For cyclic use batteries, full capacity may not be reached until after ten to thirty cycles, depending upon the depth of discharge and the charging method. If a new battery has been in storage for an extended period, say over six months without being charged, plate oxidation from selfdischarge will occur, causing a decrease in the Mhos reading. Plate oxidation also occurs in standby batteries during a power failure, particularly if a battery remains in a highly discharged state for an extended time period. Plate oxidation is unhealthy and can destroy a battery's capacity. [. . . ]