AutoMeter RC-300 User manual

12 MONTHS FROM DATE OF PURCHASE-CABLES 90 DAYS
The manufacturer warrants to the consumer that this product will be free from
defects in material or workmanship for a period of twelve (12) months from
the date of original purchase.
Products that fail within this 12 month warranty period will be repaired or
replaced at the manufacturer's option to the consumer, when determined by the
manufacturer that the product failed due to defects in material or workmanship.
This warranty is limited to the repair or replacement of parts and the necessary
labor by the manufacturer to effect the repair or replacement of the product.
In no event shall the manufacturer be responsible for special, incidental or
consequential damages or costs incurred due to the failure of this product.
Improper use, accident, water damage, abuse, unauthorized repairs or
alterations voids this warranty. The manufacturer disclaims any liability or
consequential damages due to breach of any written or implied warranty on its
test equipment.
WARRANTY AND SERVICE INFORMATION
Warranty claims to the manufacturer's service department must be
transportation prepaid and accompanied by a dated proof of purchase. This
warranty applies only to the original purchaser and is non-transferable. Freight
damage incurred during return shipments is not covered under this warranty. It
is the responsibility of the shipper (the customer returning the Test Equipment)
to package the tester properly to prevent any damage during return shipment.
Repair costs for such damages will be charged back to shipper (customer
returning the Test Equipment). Protect the product by shipping in original
carton or add plenty of over-pack cushioning such as crumpled up newspaper.
LIMITED WARRANTY
Test Equipment
Operator’s Manual
Proven Accuracy in a Reserve
Capacity Tester
The RC-300 is a hand-held tester that is the
answer to portability in a professionally accu-
rate reserve capacity battery load tester.
RC-300
A Proven Name
in Accuracy
Test Equipment

219
You have purchased one of Auto Meter's hand-held
reserve capacity battery load testers. It is designed to test
batteries from 4.0 to 50 Amp Hours with ease, speed, and accuracy. If
you should have any questions about your tester, testing procedures, or
service see back cover for contact information.
RC 300
Load Test Capacity..................40 Amp
Battery Sizes...........................4.0 – 50 Amp Hours
Digital Display ........................1" x 2.5" - 4 line x 16 character
Volt Ranges.............................Digital 0-30
Cooling....................................Heat Sink Ventilation
Leads ......................................Load Amp-2 1/2 ft., 16 Gauge
Size .........................................3 3/4" x 6 3/4" x 1"
Memory ...................................stores the last 100 tests
Internal Battery........................9 Volt Alkaline
Optional PR-12 .......................Infrared printer
Optional AC-12 ......................PC Interface adapter cord
Optional AC-24J......................Carrying case only
Optional AC-32 .......................Serial Port to USB adapter
Optional AC-62 ......................AMP Link Data Download PC Software
Weight.....................................1.34 lbs.
What to Expect from the RC-300:
Immediately determine Amp Hours remaining in each battery. The
RC-300 is a portable, full-featured, menu-driven battery tester that
provides quick and professional load results using Auto Meter's proven
Load Testing Technology. The RC-300 is user friendly. It tells you what
to do. It is professionally accurate. Detailed test results are shown on
the LCD display after each test and can be reviewed and/or printed from
memory.
The RC-300 performs a battery load test on 6 & 12 volt batteries. The
RC-300 automatically identies the appropriate voltage & displays the
menu selection & instructions needed for the battery being checked or
tested.
BATTERY DATABASE
BATTERY # DESCRIPTION RATED AH
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
CONGRATULATIONS!

18 3
TABLE OF CONTENTSMAINTENANCE
Both jaws of each
clamp must rmly
engage the battery
terminal. The wire
CHECK OFTEN FOR LOOSE JAWS
OR DAMAGED INTERNAL INSULATOR
Over time the battery clamps will need to be replaced if any of the
following are indicated:
Amp Hour values seem extreme.
If there is continuity between the copper insert and the clamps.
If there is excessive damage or corrosion to the cables or
clamps.
CLAMP AND BATTERY REPLACEMENT
Remove the screws from the back cover.
Separate top and bottom cover and open like a book leaving the
ribbon in contact with the PC board that will remain with the back
cover.
CLAMPS: Remove the cables and strain relief. With the new
load clamp leads pointing down; insert the new strain relief into
the back cover. Make sure the red clamp wires are attached to
the left two screws of the green screw terminal (labeled POS)
and the black clamp wires are connected to the right two screws
(labeled NEG). It does not matter if either of the two red clamp
wires is switched. The same applies to the two black clamp
wires. Just make sure the red clamp wires are to the left (POS)
and the black clamp wires are to the right. (NEG)
BATTERY: Remove the battery and replace with a 9 Volt battery.
Match the (+) on the new battery with the (+) on the PC board.
Reverse the procedure to assemble the unit.
soldered to the copper insert jaw must be insulated from the
other wire soldered to the opposite handle. This insulation is
required so than one can read the Amps and the other can read
the Volts. Damaged clamps or loose wires will affect readings.
Make sure the copper jaw insert is properly insulated from the
clamp and the clamps are clean and in good repair.
Page
Specications -------------------------------------------------------2
Safety -----------------------------------------------------------------4
Cause of Battery Failure -----------------------------------------4
Controls and Functions-------------------------------------------5
Test Sections
1. Hook Up ---------------------------------------------------------6
2. Battery Test ------------------------------------------------7 – 9
3. Review Tests ------------------------------------------------- 10
Printing Test Results -------------------------------------------- 11
Voltmeter-----------------------------------------------------------12
Database-------------------------------------------------------13-14
Setup------------------------------------------------------------15-16
PC Interface------------------------------------------------------- 17
Maintenance ------------------------------------------------------18
Clamp & Battery Replacement ------------------------------- 18
Battery Database Sheet----------------------------------------19
Warranty Information-------------------------------------------- 20
Contact Information --------------------------------------------- 20
CLAMP MAINTENANCE:

417
SAFETY
Carefully read all operating
instructions before using the
RC-300
Wear proper protection when
working around batteries.
Be sure each test is
complete before removing
load clamps to prevent arcing
and potential explosion from
battery gases. Keep sparks
ames, or cigarettes away from batteries.
Keep hair, hands, and clothing as well as tester
leads and cords away from moving parts.
Do not attempt to Load Test or charge a battery
under 20°F. Allow the battery to warm to room
temperature before testing or charging.
Warning! NEVER attach the RC-300 to a battery
that is connected to any other tester or charging
unit. Damage may result.
PC INTERFACE
ABOUT
The following will be displayed.
Press (Y Enter)
Press (Y Enter) and the
version will be displayed.
Scroll down to About.
Press (Y Enter) to select.
VOLT METER
DATABASE
>DOWNLOAD
SETUP
DATABASE
DOWNLOAD
SETUP
>ABOUT
CONNECT TESTER
TO A PC RUNNING
DATA SOFTWARE
'N' TO CANCEL
RC-300
VERSION 2.0
SERIAL# 12345
COPYRIGHT 2013
From the main menu scroll down to DOWNLOAD.
1. Using Auto Meter's optional adapter cord AC-12 insert the stereo
plug into the jack on the RC-300 and then plug the serial adapter
into a free serial port on the rear of your computer, or connect to
AC-32 serial port to USB adapter. Follow the instructions of the
AC-62 AMP Link Data Download software to retrieve data from
the RC-300.
From the main menu scroll down to the last selection.
CAUSE OF BATTERY FAILURE
Incorrect Application: Wrong size battery may have inadequate
Amp Hour rating for original product specications.
Improper Maintenance: Neglected charging and corrosion on
battery connections can greatly reduce battery life and affect battery
performance.
Overcharging: Overcharging caused by a high voltage regulator
setting or incorrect battery charging can cause battery damage and
shorter life.
Undercharging: Undercharging or neglect of charging will reduce
the life of the battery.

16 5
RC-300
Reserve Capacity Battery Tester
2511-2470-00
AUTO METER
RC-300
BATTERY TESTER
‘Y’ FOR MENU
CONTROLS AND FUNCTIONS
Infrared Print Light:
When the print button is
pressed infrared data will be
transmitted to the printer when
pointed in the direction of the
printer (up to 15 ft.).
PC Download Jack:
Adapter cord AC-12 can be
inserted here.
LCD:
Displays menus and test results.
KEYS:
When each key is pressed, a
beep sounds to assure contact
has been made.
On/Off Key:
This is the manual on/off key. The
display will show ‘Y’ for menu
when the unit is turned on.
Y Enter Key:
This key selects the next menu,
the cursor line item and answers
‘yes’ to a test progression.
+Up Key:
This key moves the cursor up in
order to select a menu line item
and increments certain displayed
values.
-Down Arrow Key:
This key moves the cursor down in order to
select a menu line and decrements certain
displayed values.
N Esc Key:
This key cancels a test or progression. It also returns to the previous
menu.
Print Key:
Point the RC-300 infrared print light towards the Optional PR-12 infrared
printer receiver and press the print key. Test results will be printed.
SETUP (cont.)
USE TEST RESULT
NEAR END OF LIFE
USE +/-
'Y' TO SELECT
PRINTOUT OPTION
AC-14/PR-12
USE +/-
'Y' TO SELECT
DO YOU WANT TO
ENTER STORE INFO
'N' OR 'Y'
To toggle battery test results between
"GOOD" or "BAD" only and "NEAR
END OF LIFE", use + or - to change
setting then use 'Y' to select.
To print to an Auto Meter stand alone IR
printer choose "AC-14/PR-12". To print
to the Auto Meter high speed PR-16
printer using the Auto Meter XTC-160
charger/tester and IR-1 printer interface
choose "XTC-160/PR-16. To print to
a network printer using the POSI-160
choose "POSI-160".
Press 'Y' to enter or change the store
address for use on print outs or 'N' to
continue.
Entry Hints
To change the text or number press the (+)
or (-) keys. If you press 'N' at the beginning
of the screen, no changes will be made. To
make changes, use the (+) and (-) keys then
press 'Y' to save the change. The cursor will
then go to the next character or number. If
you are done making changes but there is
more text keep pressing 'Y' until the cursor
is on a blank space at the end of the lines
of text. Pressing 'N' moves back the cursor
position back one character. Pressing Print
saves the text up to the cursor position. Any
text after is deleted.
Note: Address one & two and city have a max of 23 characters.

615
AUTO METER�
RC-300�
BATTERY TESTER�
READY TO CONNECT
RC-300
Reserve Capacity Battery Tester
Reserve Capacity
Battery
>BATTERY TEST
REVIEW PRINT
VOLTMETER
DATABASE
Press ‘Y” to open menu. Select
Battery Test by pressing ‘Y’
Enter the approximate battery
temperature in degrees Fahrenheit or
Celsius then press (Y Enter).
Note: Go to the setup to change
temperature scale to Celsius. The
temperature request only appears
once for each battery tested.
1
HOOK UP SETUP
Press the On/Off button: Connect the clamps to the battery.
Scroll Down to Setup, Select setup by pressing 'Y'.
Select the temperature in Fahrenheit
or Centigrade.
>SET TEMPERATURE
SCALE: F
USE +/-
'Y' TO SELECT
>SET LANGUAGE:
ENGLISH
USE +/-
'Y' TO SELECT
Choose between English, Spanish,
or French using the + and - keys to
change the language. Press 'Y' to
select.
VOLT METER
DOWNLOAD
>SETUP
ABOUT
>SET DEFAULT AH
AS: 30.0
USE +/-
'Y' TO SELECT
DO YOU WANT TO
DISPLAY MEASURED
BATTERY CAPACITY
'N' OR 'Y'
You can also select the default rating
to be the last entered AH value or a
particular amount such as 30.0 AH.
If 'Y' is chosen, the measured battery
capacity will be displayed on the
battery test result screen and print out.
If 'N' is chosen no measured battery
capacity will be displayed or printed.
AUTO METER
RC-300
BATTERY TESTER
'Y' FOR MENU
>ENTER BATTERY
TEMP: 70F
USE +/-
'Y' TO CONTINUE
>CONNECT CLAMPS
TO BATTERY
RED + BLACK-
'N' TO CANCEL
CONNECTION ERRORS
If the clamps are reversed the
Reversed Connection screen will ash.
If one or both of the clamps are
not in complete contact CHECK
CONNECTIONS! will ash.
If no clamps or only one clamp
is connected the following
will be displayed:

14 7
Pressing 'Y'' or 'N' will
return to the main menu.
Let battery cool before
testing.
If the battery has an AH
rating and is not in the
database select AH rating
using the + and - keys
and the 'Y' key to select.
If the battery has a database
entry, select the database
rating option by using the +
and - keys and use the 'Y' key
to select database.
Use the + and - keys to
enter the rated AH. Press
'Y' to continue.
Use the + and - keys to select
the battery from the database.
Press 'Y' to continue
2
If the battery temperature is above 180°F the battery is too
hot to test. The following screens will appear.
Any battery whose ratio is in between the Good Cutoff and Bad Cutoff is
graded as Near End of Life if that feature is active.
BATTERY TEST
THE BATTERY
IS TOO HOT TO
TEST SAFELY
'Y' TO CONTINUE
THE BATTERY
NEEDS TO COOL
BEFORE TESTING
'Y' TO CONTINUE
BATTERY RATING
AH RATING
USE +/-
'Y' TO CONTINUE
ENTER RATED AH
25.00 USE +/-
12.68V
'Y' TO CONTINUE
BATTERY RATING
DATABASE
USE +/-
'Y' TO CONTINUE
ENTER DATABASE
BATTERY #1
CF=0.67 AH=27.0
'Y' TO CONTINUE
DATABASE (cont.)
Enter the Bad Cutoff
Limit. Any ratio below
this limit is graded a
Bad Battery.
Enter the reference battery's
temperature.
The battery will be tested
to determine the Correction
Factor.
The battery's information
is stored in the next open
database index. If the database
is full you will need to delete a
battery to make room for a new
battery.
Use the + and - Keys to select
the battery index to delete.
Press 'Y' to delete the battery.
To delete a battery from the
database select Delete Battery.
NOTE: The Bad Cutoff MUST
BE below the Good Cutoff.
ENTER BAD
CUTOFF 65%
USE +/-
'Y' TO CONTINUE
ENTER BATTERY
TEMP: 70F.
USE +/-
'Y' TO CONTINUE
BATTERY ADDED
TO DATABASE AS
BATTERY #7
DATABASE MENU
REVIEW DATABASE
ADD BATTERY
>DELETE BATTERY
ENTER DATABASE
BATTERY #1
USE +/-
'Y' TO CONTINUE
BATTERY DELETED
FROM DATABASE
TESTING BATTERY
PLEASE WAIT...

813
BATTERY TEST (cont.)
If the reading is below 7.2 Volts you will get the following:
Surface charge removed if
detected.
Wait for test results.
Bar at the bottom of the screen will
show the tests progress.
The RC-300 serial number and test number are displayed to help reference the
test to the print out.
SUMMARY SCREEN
TESTING BATTERY
PLEASE WAIT...
S#22010 T#32
Conrm that the inputs are correct. Press “Y” if they are correct.
The test will start. Press “N” to re-enter battery, temp, and rating.
>IS THIS A 6V
BATTERY?
'N' OR 'Y'
BATTERY SUMMARY
TEMP: 70F.
RATED AH 25.0
'N' OR 'Y'
BATTERY SUMMARY
TEMP: 70F.
BATTERY #1
'N' OR 'Y'
REMOVING SURFACE
CHARGE...
S#22010 T#32
After the Digital Pulse Load Test is completed results similar to one of the
following sample screens will appear.
Battery passes
testing. Return to
service.
Battery did not have
sufcient remaining
capacity to pass tests.
Battery should be replaced
immediately.
T#32 12V BATT.
GOOD BATTERY!
12.84V CHG 100%
MEAS AH 40.0
T#33 12V BATT.
BAD BATTERY!
12.45V CHG 75%
MEAS AH 25.0
DATABASE
The database lets you use a known good battery as a reference
to test other similar batteries against. There can be up to 40
batteries added to the database.
Select the database menu item.
To review the batteries in the
database select Review Database.
Use the + and - keys to view the
battery's information.
CF = Correction Factor
AH = Battery Rating
GC = Good Cutoff Limit
BC = Bad Cutoff Limit
To add a battery to the database,
connect the tester to the reference
battery as described the the battery
test section.
Enter the battery's rated voltage. Use
the + and - keys to choose between
6V and 12V. Press 'Y' to continue.
Enter the battery's AH rating. Use the
+ and - keys to enter a value between
4.0 to 50 AH. Press 'Y' to continue.
Database Menu
BATTERY TEST
REVIEW/PRINT
VOLT METER
>DATABASE
DATABASE MENU
>REVIEW DATABASE
ADD BATTERY
DELETE BATTERY
BATTERY #1
CF=0.88 AH=35.0
GC=80 BC=60
DATABASE MENU
REVIEW DATABASE
>ADD BATTERY
DELETE BATTERY
BATTERY VOLTAGE
12V BATT.
USE +/-
'Y' TO CONTINUE
ENTER RATED AH
24.00
USE +/-
'Y TO CONTINUE
Enter the Good Cutoff Limit. This is the
percentage of measured AH divided by
the rated AH. Any ratio above this limit
is graded a Good Battery.
ENTER GOOD
CUTOFF 75%
USE +/-
'Y' TO CONTINUE
4

12 9
Charge battery and place into
service.
Battery did not have a sufcient
charge for a Digital Pulse Load
Test. Charge and retest battery.
Battery passes testing and is near
end of life. Consider replacing
battery if adverse conditions are
expected.
T#34 12V BATT.
GOOD NEEDS CHRG.
12.24V CHG 50%
MEAS AH 40.0
T#35 12V BATT.
CHARGE & TEST
12.06V CHG 25%
'Y' TO CONTINUE
T#36 12V BATT.
NEAR END OF LIFE
12.80V CHG 100%
MEAS AH 30.0
BATTERY TEST (cont.)
Scroll Down to Volt Meter then select Volt Meter by pressing Y
Press (Y Enter)
-VOLT METER-
VOLTS: 12.24V
CHARGE: 50%
>VOLT METER
DATABASE
DOWNLOAD
SETUP
VOLT METER

10 11
3
REVIEW TESTS
From the main menu select REVIEW/PRINT.
BATTERY TEST
>REVIEW/PRINT
VOLT METER
DATABASE
The last test will be displayed.
OPTIONAL INFRARED PRINTER
Optional PR-12 printer. An invisible infrared beam links the RC-300
to the PR-12 printer from up to 15 ft. away. No connection cords are
needed. For more instructions on how to operate the printer consult
the printer manual.
Printer Type ------------------------------------ Thermal Printing
Paper ----2.25 in x 80 ft. Roll Thermal Paper (included)
Power -----------------------------------AC Adapter (included)
T#35 12V BATTERY
CHARGE AND RETEST
12.06V CHG 25%
MEAS AH 30.0
Press (Y Enter).
Press (+Up) or (-Down) key
to select the desired test.
PRINTING TEST RESULTS
Point the RC-300 in the direction of the PR-12 printer
with the printer’s IR receiver pointed in the direction of the
RC-300. Press (Print). You should be within 15 ft of the printer.
Wait for the screen to clear before moving the RC-300. It takes a
moment to send all the test data.
Make sure the Infrared
Printer is properly set up.
After a test is made with
the RC-300 make sure the
results are displayed on the
LCD.
Point the RC-300 in the
direction of the Infrared
Printer (within 15 ft.)
Press the <Print> key
and the test results will be
printed.
Depending upon the
test made the printer will
sometimes yield more
information than the LCD.