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What does a battery tester measure?

I have an inexpensive Radio Shack battery tester. This one ...

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that the needle rests at the bottom of the red - dead zone until a battery is inserted.)

What does a device like this measure? Volts? Or something else?

Thanks.

Reply to
Just A Guy
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The key thing is what it is not - a simple voltmeter measuring the off-load voltage produced by the cell.

These testers have a built-in load resistor and give an indication of the voltage that the cell will produce when powering equipment.

Some testers (not this one) draw a great deal of current when used - testing too often and for too long can substantially reduce battery life!

Radio Shack do have a web page that discusses testing batteries:

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Which only shows why you shouldn't go to Radio Shack for technical advice ;)

-- Sue

Reply to
Palindrome

Volts, under some load.

Reply to
krw

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