ACT Meters GOLD-PLUS 6V/12V Battery Tester - Manual (Page 2)

6/12V GOLD-PLUS
Intelligent Battery Tester
Operating Manual
R2.21
This pictorial guide shows how to test popular types of
lead acid batteries with the new GOLD-PLUS.
“They say a picture speaks a thousand words
but if all else fails read the manual”
ACT Meters Ltd
The Old Smithy
Church Road
Rainford
Merseyside
WA11 8HD
United Kingdom
Tel: +44(0)1744 886660
Fax: +44(0)1744 886661
USA Freecall: 1-877-712-2278
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.actmeters.com
GOLD-PLUS Intelligent Battery Tester
Operating Manual
R2.21
Battery Testing Tips
1: Don’t buy flat batteries!
Because lead acid batteries normally self-discharge about 3% per
month, it is very important to decipher the date of manufacture
code stamped on the battery. This is essential for inventory
rotation and to avoid stocking old discharged batteries. If you
cannot decipher the date code, contact your supplier or battery
to ship from far eastern manufacturers, before going through your
distributor to you.
2: Check the voltage.
To avoid potential battery failure problems, it is essential to check
the voltage level in new lead acid batteries to ensure that they
have been sufficiently charged by the manufacturer before leaving
the factory. Any new out-of-the-box battery with less than 6.1V for
6V and 12.2V for 12V must be recharged overnight and retested
before use. Generally, a new battery will have above 6.2V for 6V
and 12.4V for 12V batteries.
3: Constant charge voltage.
Lead acid batteries require a constant voltage, irrespective of Ah
capacity size in order to charge efficiently. The optimum charge
voltage required is 2.3vpc (volts per cell) which is 6.9V for a three
cell 6V battery and 13.8V for a six cell 12V battery. The voltage
tolerance is 2.2vpc min and 2.4vpc max. The time taken to fully
charge is dependent on battery Ah size.
4: Battery surface charge.
When testing batteries just taken off charge, it is important that the
excess surface charge voltage (13.8 - 14.4V) is removed in order
to measure battery Ah capacity accurately. When ‘ANALYSING
BATT’ is displayed, the GOLD-PLUS applies a pulse load to
remove excess surface charge. Ah accuracy is assured below
13.3VDC. If necessary, repeat test to remove surface voltage.
5: Batteries hate heat!
For maximum life and performance, a lead acid battery should be
maintained at between 20 - 25C (68 - 77F). At significantly higher
or lower temperatures the Ah capacity available could vary by up
to 50%. Be aware that lead acid batteries hate heat. The hotter
the battery, the shorter its life!
6: Equal capacity.
To ensure maximum efficiency and to avoid charging problems,
where two or more lead acid batteries are connected in parallel or
series, make sure that they are the same make, type and Ah size
and after testing have about equal Ah capacity available.
7: When to recharge or replace?
To ensure efficiency, battery manufactures recommend to
recharge or replace the battery when its available Ah capacity falls
below 65%. However, if your requirements recommend a higher
or lower percentage, then recharge or replace accordingly.
Any questions? Please give us a call on +44 (0)1744 886660 or
email [email protected]
GOLD-PLUS Specifications
Operating Voltage: 5V - 15V DC Max
Reverse Polarity: Red LED indication
Battery Types: Standby SLA, Cyclic GEL &
Car FLOODED Battery Sizes:
6v 1.2Ah - 12Ah
Ah Capacity Test: Simulated full 20 hour load
test (C20hr) performed in just
20 seconds. Repeat Ah test
takes just 5 seconds
Applied Pulse Load: 6A for 1.2Ah - 9.9Ah batteries
batteries
Ah Calibration: Calibrated at 0 (zero) position
to new, fully charged, popular
brand Standby SLA batteries
at 20 - 25C (68 - 77F). Ah
control (00 - 99) for Cyclic
GEL and Car FLOODED
batteries according to Ah size
Battery Table: Recharge or replace battery
when ‘FLAT BATTERY’ or Ah
capacity falls below 65%
Display Type: Back-lit 13 digit LCD
Flat Battery Warning: 6v <5.25VDC, 12v <12.0VDC
Repeat Test Operation: Can perform repeat tests or
continuously as required
DCV Accuracy: +/- 2% of displayed reading
Ah Accuracy: +/- 10% fully charge premium
brand C20hr rated SLA
batteries at 20 - 25C (68-77F)
Case Construction: High impact ABS
Moisture Protection: IP54
Size: H210 x W110 x D41mm
Weight: 0.6kg
In The Box: GOLD-PLUS Intelligent
Battery Tester, ACT-GPTL Test
Leads, ACT-430N Soft Carry
Case, 25xBTL (Battery Tested
Labels) Operating Instructions
and Declaration of Conformity
Warranty: 1 Year from date of Invoice
Address: ACT Meters Ltd
The Old Smithy
Church Road
Rainford
Merseyside
Post Code: WA11 8HD
Country: United Kingdom
Phone: +44(0)1744 886660
Fax: +44(0)1744 886661
USA Freecall: 1-877-712-2278
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.actmeters.com
12v 1.2Ah - 1 50Ah
manufacturer. Be aware that new batteries can take many months 18A for 10Ah - 150Ah
[email protected]