Load Testing Alarm Batteries.

mdshunk

Anyone got a link to an alarm system battery checker? Using a regular DMM doesn't necessarily cut it, for me, so I've been putting a load on alarm batteries with a light bulb during PM to check them. ELK makes an alarm battery checker that relies on baseline measurements from when the battery was installed new, which is somewhat unrealistic considering that I might not have been the one to put in the new battery. I've got a decent one for UPS batteries, but it doesn't go low enough to check the 4 - 7.5ah batteries normally found in security/fire/access control panels.

MALCO.New.York

AutoMeter RC-300???





http://www.batterymart.com/images/pr...ll/RC300_1.jpg

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mdshunk

I ran across that one in my searches. It goes down to 4ma/h, which would be perfect for alarm batteries. At 300 bucks, I guess it's worth it, but I was hoping for something cheaper and not as fancy. Surely there are other one's, but I can't seem to find any.

fireguy

Emergency Lighting Services 800.334.5066
Brooks Equipment 800.3473

Both have testers. We use a tester that tests 6V & 12V up to 24AH, about $265.00 ELS has a good catalog that includes instructions and a parts list for lights

Brooks also has a tester that tests 5-15VDC & will test a battery in 60 seconds, only $3,000.00. Buy 2, and send me one for my birthday present.

Security101

This is considered the best one in the industry...

http://www.actmeters.co.uk/nsi/GOLD-...y-Tester-1.php

It is sold in the states by ADI or the link below.

http://www.internet-security-inc.com...ducts_id=46232

All reputable alarm co's have at least one!

It aint cheap - but it does exactly what you need - even tells you the remaining amphr reading...

Jim

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mickeyco

That looks like a nice one.

I have an old RC car battery charger tester/charger, that you can test alarm batteries with, you can also force charge dead cordless tool batteries with it. It's a ProTech, you can find used ones pretty cheap (maybe eBay), might be a little big though.

Similar to this:



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mickeyco

Cheap home made, maybe a variable resistor paralleled for different amp hour batteries.


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Some people climb mountains. I take out the trash. But we both do it for the same reason.