TM 9-6140-200-14
(2) Battery Capacity Test. A battery discharge tester, where available, can be
used to test battery capacity. If the test shows the battery to be at full
capacity, the battery is probably good.
(3) Battery Self (Static) Discharge Test. This test should be done only in rare
cases. Let the fully-charged battery stand on the shelf, static, for a period
of from 3-7 days. Then test the battery to determine if the rate of standing
loss due to self discharge is excessive in any battery cell. If the rate of
discharge loss is not excessive in any one battery cell, the battery is in
serviceable condition (See Para 4-7).
(4) Battery Test Conclusions. If any of the above tests show the battery to be
in good condition, the test results must be accepted. This may appear
obvious must be emphasized, since inexperience in the battery handling
often leaves the battery handler with little understanding of the reason for a
battery discharge condition. The battery is then considered unserviceable
because no other reason can be found for the discharged condition of the
battery. These points should always be considered when early discharge
of batteries is a problem.
c. Static Discharge During Storage. A new battery will discharge slowly when
standing idle in stock. It will not, however, fully discharge in a two week period,
When a new battery is returned fully discharged after only a couple of weeks,
there is another cause other than a defective battery, REMEMBER, for every
new battery returned for charging, many more old batteries are returned for the
same reason.
d. Testing Batteries with the hand held tester issued to battery shops:
(Read instruction for tester provided)
(1) Simple two step testing.
a. Connect to battery and set Cold Cranking Amps on data plate.
b. Checks voltage for 12 volt batteries.
NOTE
If temperature is below 32 degrees F press and hold
the temperature compensated button to get a
compensated test results.
4-8
