Date:         Wed, 29 Sep 1999 11:46:31 -0700
Reply-To:     Derek Drew <drew@INTERPORT.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Derek Drew <drew@INTERPORT.NET>
Subject:      Re: Test equipment--"Official VW multimeter"
Comments: To: Pat Collins <collins.90@OSU.EDU>
In-Reply-To:  <19990929.16280100@pcollins2.arms.ohio-state.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Excellent point, care to post a cheap method to perform a load test?

One would then use the MultiMeter to make sure the battery was at 12.6 (OK,
12.5 for a used battery) to make sure that the battery was at full charge
before running the load test. With some old batteries, I find that they top
out at 12.44 volts and I notice that I have become suspicious about their
health when they cannot deliver 12.5 volts after burning off surface charge.

At 04:28 PM 9/29/99 +0000, you wrote:
>What is the difference if the battery reads 12 V or 12.1 V.  Not much.
> The most important thing is the amount of current you can draw.  A
>bad battery may still show 12 V, but if the Voltage goes to zero when
>under load then it is no good.
>
>Pat N8VW
>84 GL

_______________________________________________
Derek Drew                                            New York, NY
CEO, ConsumerSearch
drew@interport.net

212-580-6486
917-848-6425 (cell; this phone is a reliable way to reach me fast or to
leave messages)

Alternate numbers for the industrious phone caller that wants to try every
avenue: 202-966-7907 (Work), 212-580-4459 (Home), 202-966-0938 (Home)