Features:

  • Tests 6V and 12V batteries up to 1000 CCA, ideal for cars, light trucks, RVs, motorcycles, ATVs, boats and lawn tractor batteries
  • 100A load test for 12V batteries; 50A load test for 6V batteries
  • Tests load, battery condition, starter motor draw, with complete charging system diagnosis
  • Features top-mounted rocker switch for easier operation
  • Includes super-grip, heavy-duty, color-coded battery clamps
Helped me find two batteries out of my fleet with bad cells. Most were in dual battery installs where ...

I have tons of tools and fancy battery checkers. I should have bought one of these 10 years ago. Helped me find two batteries out of my fleet with bad cells. Most were in dual battery installs where one battery would lose a cell and the slowly kill both batteries and also make the charging system work overtime. I used to just start a vehicle or put a heavily load on and then check with a volt meter. Rarely did that every show a bad cell. This will find one in 5 seconds when the battery goes form 12.6 to 10 volts instantly.

Perfection!

This might be a bit early to write a review, as I have only used it once, but I felt compelled to share with the world the fact that the design and execution of this product ought to be a model for all other products in the world. There is no computer logic to flake out on you, it doesn't try and do everything or "do everything for you", it doesn't seem extra-proprietary... it is straight forward, and easy to use... it feels rugged, like it would survive commercial or even light-industry use... and it is literally the cheapest load tester on Amazon!?!? Unreal. Kudos to Schumacher for a *FANTASTIC* product.

Fantastic Battery Tester (Read the Manual)

This product worked as advertised. WARNING! Read the manual! During first use it will produce some minor smoke which is NORMAL. Don't get worried about it like I did. This is the best bang for your buck! Now you can get the fancy digital battery testers, but this works great for all of my marine batteries and monitoring them for abnormal activities. Overall I would highly recommend this product.

If you have several 6 and 12 v Batteries, consider this.

I bought this because I was aware that some times we exchange batteries when it's really not necessary and there may be other issues. For example, I purchase a used 5 year old truck with a 5 year battery. The battery was the type that had the little colored balls in a viewing hole and the ball was red. You might think this indicated a bad battery, however, with this tester, it showed as good. Further reading did in fact say that a red ball was not a sign of a bad battery which is somewhat counter-intuitive. We also have a 3 year old Outback and when starting the car struggled just a little. Popped on the tester and it showed as weak even though everything worked. Cars batteries now a day don't die slowly. With as many electronics on cars there's sometimes no indication when a battery will stop providing enough power to start. If you have several cars, motorcycles, riding mowers and other 6 and 12 v battery rigs, this tester is handy. Yes, it did smoke on the 1st use and it gets very hot. You are basically creating a direct short like those portable heaters so be careful and make sure it cools before storing. After the 1st use, no more smoking. Amazon had this $15 cheaper than Wally Mart.

O yes, a must have for every shade tree mechanic.

A nice tool to have on hand when you are doubting the strength of a battery. Schumacher doesn't lie! However, read the directions because I thought the components were burning the first time I used it. Do not panic, it will have a strong smell of overheating. That's NORMAL, it tells you right on the front of the tester!

Everyone should own one of these, if not two. Buy it now.

Embarrassingly, I had to make use of this battery tester the same week I received it. My car died, and I had to spend some of my meagre unearned income on taxi fares, which pleased me as much as an IRS audit. After charging up my battery again I tested it with this machine. It confirmed that my battery was weak (maybe I should have charged it up a bit longer), but otherwise OK, and it also confirmed that my car's own charging system was within limits, though a bit on the high side. As it saved my the price of a new battery, it has earned back its purchase price. From now on, I vow that I will check under the hood maybe once a month instead of once a year. My bruised hands confirm that there is not enough room under there. And the oil change facility which changed my oil only a few weeks ago, failed to check the battery as they had promised, as there were two dry battery cells. So, this is my advice, buy this thing and use it. Right away.

Took battery in to Advance Auto and they confirmed bad. Great tool to have around if you have ...

Performed as stated. Tested first battery with voltmeter and tested ok. Used the BT100 and it showed it weak or shorted cell. Took battery in to Advance Auto and they confirmed bad. Great tool to have around if you have lots of marine & vehicle batteries.

Love this Tester

This thing has saved my butt a couple times over the past month for both my car and motorcycle. Simple to use and accurate for about 20 bucks, this paid for itself in about 10 minutes. For a charging problem, it is a necessity for tracking down whether it's the battery or the charging system. This is a mini-version of what's used for the free Auto Zone load tester service, but of course you gotta get the car/battery there and back to test 'em. The unit is lightweight. The cables and clamps are substantial, but the cable are short (<3' long). The "carbon load" sure looks like a nichrome wire, but as long as the tester is only used occasionally, it should last pretty much forever. The unit gets really hot in load testing as noted in the instructions. I place this on a small board during use, and the tester does cool down quickly. Can speak for other users, but I also have a couple of Schumacher chargers, and for the price, they make really good stuff.

Excellent for DIY but completely useless for dead people

I used it to find some good and failing batteries among the equipment and vehicles I own. A bit subjective here but I found it to be heavier and sturdier than I was expecting at this price point. For about $20 I'm thrilled. Use it carefully when you need it, put it back in the box in came in into your tool chest for next time, and it ought to look and work about the same when your survivors go picking through your stuff. None of mine will likely even know what it does, but that's not my problem. I expect someone will pay 5 bucks for it in about 30-40 years at a yard sale held in a dead man's driveway. (mine) Rather than replacing still good batteries at a fixed interval as I used to I can now actually tell when they are going bad instead of throwing away money out of caution. It has already paid for itself now, and will reap dividends in the future. I wish I had purchased one sooner.

Value for the money! Works perfectly, accurate and is very simple to use!

Nice tester. I had my hesitations based on cost, but really, this is exactly what you need to test a battery as if performs a REAL load test (glowing wire) versus a simulated load test (inaccurate and inconsistent) as the MORE expensive digital testers only seem to do these days. Literally took 5 minutes to unpack and be satisfied with the the results. Other testers (digital) simply haven’t measured up and I’d highly reccomend this product!!

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