50 AMP LOAD
BATTERY AND CHARGING
SYSTEM TESTER
90893
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
®
3491 MISSION OAKS BLVD., CAMARILLO, CA 93011
VISIT OURWEB SITE AT HTTP://WWW.HARBORFREIGHT.COM
Copyright© 2003 by Harbor Freight Tools®. All rights reserved. No portion
of this manual or any artwork contained herein may be reproduced in any
shape or form without the express written consent of Harbor Freight Tools.
For technical questions and replacement parts, please call 1-800-444-3353
7. Maintain tools with care. Keep clean. Do not use a damaged tool. Tag damaged
tools “Do not use” until repaired.
8. Tool service must be performed only by qualified repair personnel. Service or
maintenance performed by unqualified personnel could result in a risk of injury.
9. Maintain labels and nameplates on this
tool.These carry important information.
If unreadable or missing, contact Harbor
Battery acid may cause severe
FreightTools for a replacement.
injury to eyes; always wear ANSI
10. Always wear ANSI approved safety
impact eye goggles and heavy work
gloves when using this tool. Using
personal safety devices reduce the risk
for injury.Safety impact eye goggles and
heavy work gloves are available from
Harbor FreightTools.
approved safety goggles. Avoid
touching eyes while working with or
near a battery. In case of accidental
contact, rinse eyes with clean water
for at least 5 minutes and see a
doctor immediately.
11. Maintain a safe working environment. Keep the work area well lit. Make sure
there is adequate surrounding workspace. Always keep the work area free of
obstructions, grease, oil, trash, and other debris. Do not use this tool in areas
near flammable chemicals, dusts, and vapors. Do not use this product in a
damp or wet location.
WARNING! People with pacemakers should consult their physician(s) before
using this product. Operation of electrical equipment in close proximity to a
heart pacemaker could cause interference or failure of the pacemaker.
SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES FOR THE BATTERY TESTER
1. When connecting the Battery Cables to the battery, avoid creating sparks (always
connect and disconnect clamps exactly as described in rule number 2, below,
and on page 4), especially when the battery is being charged. Explosive gases
are created during charging. Sparking could also damage the vehicle electrical
system.
2. Be certain of the test battery polarity before connecting the test Cable Clamps.
The red Cable Clamp (A) goes to the positive terminal of the battery.The black
Cable Clamp (B) goes to the negative terminal of the battery.
3. When placing the BatteryTester in the vehicle (on the frame, engine, or fender),
take special care that the metal housing of the Battery Tester does not come in
contact with either terminal of the battery or other electrical connections.
4. Do not drop the Battery Tester as it may affect proper operation.
5. Do not smoke or have open flames near the battery.
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6. Reversing Battery Tester Cable Clamps on the battery will damage the tester.
7. Do not connect the BatteryTester to the battery while the battery is being charged.
Turn the engine off before connecting.
8. Do not touch the cooling vents on the Battery Tester immediately after testing
the battery.They become very hot.
UNPACKING
When unpacking, check to make sure that all the parts are included.
Refer to the Assembly Diagram, Below.
(A)
(D)
(C)
(B)
If any parts are missing or broken, please call Harbor Freight Tools
at the number on the cover of this manual as soon as possible.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Testing the Battery
Undercharged lead-acid batteries will freeze during cold weather.
NEVERTEST OR CHARGE A FROZEN BATTERY.
1. To help ensure a good connection, clean battery terminals with a solution of
baking soda and water, and wipe the battery terminals with a cloth to remove
any dirt and grease.
2. Connect the red (positive) Cable Clamp (A) to the positive terminal (+) on the 6
or 12V lead-acid battery.(See photo above.)
3. Connect the black (negative) Cable Clamp (B) to the negative terminal (–) on the
battery. Turn clamps slightly to ensure a good connection.
4. With the clamps connected, the tester’s gauge will show the battery’s current
charge. If it is less than 12 V on a 12 V battery (or 6 V on a 6 V battery),
disconnect the battery and recharge before testing. If recharging will not bring
the reading above the appropriate voltage (noted above), the battery is defective.
If it shows no reading, verify that the tester is connected properly. If the tester
is connected properly, the battery is defective.
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5. Press (and hold) the Toggle Switch (C) for at least 5 seconds to simulate an
actual load on the battery.
6. View the Meter Display (D) and read the battery condition. Refer to the “Battery
Condition Analysis”section below.
7. Release theToggle Switch (C) and remove the Cable Clamps from the battery.
Testing the Charging System
Note:The engine should be at normal operating temperature during this test.
1. Connect the Cable Clamps (A, B) to the battery as previously described.
2. Outside, or in a well ventilated area, start the vehicle engine and run at fast idle
speed. Never start and run the vehicle’s engine in a closed garage.
Avoid Carbon Monoxide poisoning.This gas comes
from the vehicle exhaust and is colorless and odorless. It can
cause serious injury or death if inhaled. Never run the vehicle’s
engine inside a garage or any other enclosed space.
3. View the Meter Display (D) and read the charging system condition (far right on
the gauge). Refer to the “Battery Condition Analysis” section below.
Caution: DO NOT press theToggle Switch (C) during this test.
Battery Condition Analysis
When testing
a 6 V battery,
refer to this
area of the
gauge.
When testing
a 12 V battery,
refer to this
area of the
gauge.
LOAD TEST / 5 Sec.
(Display Reading)
BATTERY CONDITION
Battery capacity is good. May or may not be fully charged. Check the charge state by testing the
Specific Gravity (SG) with a Hydrometer. If SG is less than full charge, check for possible charging
system trouble. Recharge to full level.
OK
(green area)
If the Display Meter needle is steady, the battery capacity is not good. Battery may be defective or
partly discharged. Check SG. If over 1.225, the battery is defective. If below 1.225, recharge battery
and re-test.If there is a difference in SG between cells over 2 points (0.025), a particular cell may
be damaged. If charging does not bring SG to full charge level, then battery is either sulfated, or
has lost its active material.
WEAK
(yellow area)
If the Display Meter needle is falling, the battery is defective or has a bad cell. For a quick check,
release the load Toggle Switch and note Display Meter reaction. If voltage recovers to its full
potential after only a few seconds, the battery is probably defective. If the voltage recovers slowly,
the battery may only be run down. Check SG, recharge, and re-test.
BAD
(red area)
CHARGING SYSTEM
(white area)
If the Display Meter needle reads OK, charging system is functional. If it falls on the low red or high
red areas, charging system may be malfunctioning.
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Testing the Starter
Note:The engine should be at normal operating temperature and the battery
should be fully charged before doing this test.
1. Connect the Cable Clamps (A, B) to the battery as previously described.
2. Disable the ignition so the engine will not start.(Refer to your vehicle’s manual.)
3. Have an assistant crank the engine. Note the voltage reading during cranking.
3. View the Meter Display (D) and read the voltage. A reading of 9 volts or less
indicates excessive current draw for a 12 V system. This may be due to a poor
connection, a failing starter, or a battery of insufficient size for the motor.
Caution: DO NOT press theToggle Switch (C) during this test.
INSPECTION, MAINTENANCE, AND CLEANING
1. Periodically recheck all nuts, bolts, and screws for tightness.
2. Store in a clean and dry location.
3. Clean the outside of the unit with a damp cloth. Never use solvents to clean any
part of this tool. Use compressed air to blow out debris from the load vents.
4. After each use, clean the Cable Clamps of any possible battery electrolyte.
Apply a thin coat of silicon grease to prevent corrosion.
REPLACEABLE PARTS
The Battery Tester has no replaceable parts.
PLEASE READTHE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY
THE MANUFACTURER AND/OR DISTRIBUTOR HAS PROVIDED THE PARTS
DIAGRAM IN THIS MANUAL AS A REFERENCE TOOL ONLY. NEITHER THE
MANUFACTURER NOR DISTRIBUTOR MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION ORWAR-
RANTY OF ANY KIND TO THE BUYER THAT HE OR SHE IS QUALIFIED TO
MAKE ANY REPAIRS TO THE PRODUCT OR THAT HE OR SHE IS QUALIFIED
TO REPLACE ANY PARTS OFTHE PRODUCT. IN FACT,THE MANUFACTURER
AND/OR DISTRIBUTOR EXPRESSLY STATESTHAT ALL REPAIRS AND PARTS
REPLACEMENTS SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN BY CERTIFIED AND LICENSED
TECHNICIANS AND NOT BY THE BUYER. THE BUYER ASSUMES ALL RISK
AND LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF HIS OR HER REPAIRS TO THE ORIGINAL
PRODUCT OR REPLACEMENT PARTS THERETO, OR ARISING OUT OF HIS
OR HER INSTALLATION OF REPLACEMENT PARTSTHERETO.
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