Midtronics MDX-652P User manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL
MDX-652P
Battery Conductance and
Electrical System Analyzer
For 6 & 12-volt automotive starting batteries
and 12 & 24-volt starting/charging systems

Blank page

www.midtronics.com
MDX-652P
3
Contents
Introduction & Overview 5
Safety Guidelines 5
Capabilities 5
Registering And Servicing Your Tester 5
pq Up/Down Arrows 6
Enter 6
Back / Print 6
Menu 6
Display and Keypad 6
User Interface 6
Options Menu 7
Procedure 7
Preparations Before the Test 8
Connecting the Tester 8
Battery & System Test 9
Starter System Test 11
Charging System Test 12
Test Messages 13
Error Messages 13
Inventory Mode 14
Maintenance & Troubleshooting 15
Changing The Cable Assembly 15
Changing The Printer Paper 16
Printer Troubleshooting 17
Troubleshooting the Display 17
Replacing the Battery 18

www.midtronics.com
MDX-652P
4

www.midtronics.com
MDX-652P
5
Introduction & Overview
Safety Guidelines
Because of the possibility of personal injury, always use extreme caution when
working with batteries. Follow all BCI (Battery Council International) safety
recommendations.
Wash hands after handling.
Battery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the state of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or
other reproductive harm.
Capabilities
The MDX-652P Battery Conductance and Electrical System Analyzer tests 6 &
12-volt regular ooded, AGM at plate, AGM spiral, and gel batteries, as well as
12 & 24-volt starting and charging systems for passenger cars and light trucks.
It displays the test results in seconds and features a built-in printer to provide
customers with a copy of the results.
Additional features include the ability to:
•test batteries rated from 100 to 2000 CCA
•detect bad cells
•protect against reverse polarity
•test discharged batteries
•test multiple rating systems (CCA, CA, MCA, JIS, EN, DIN, SAE, IEC)
Registering And Servicing Your Tester
To register, log on at www.midtronics.com/warranty
and have your serial number ready. The number is at
the bottom of the label on the back of the tester. If your
tester needs repair, contact Midtronics Customer Service
at 630.323.2800 or at [e-mail].
Servicing the tester yourself will void your warranty. See
the back cover of this manual for additional warranty
information.
Serial number

www.midtronics.com
MDX-652P
6
Display and Keypad
When you rst connect the MDX-652P to a battery, it functions as a voltmeter
until you press .
IMPORTANT: If you connect the tester to a voltage source greater
than 30 Vdc, you may damage the tester’s circuitry.
The menu-driven display will then guide you step by step through the test
process. Use the keypad buttons to scroll to and select options in the menu.
To turn o the tester when not connected to the battery, briey press and hold
the button.
User Interface
 pq Up/Down
Arrows
Use these keys
to choose test
parameters and scroll
to menu options.
Enter
Use this button to
make selections.
Back / Print
Use this button to
move to the previous
screen or move back
one space when
creating custom
headers. You can also
use this button to
printout test results
using the built-in
printer.
Menu
Use to access the
Main Menu options
of the tester.
For information
about the options,
see “Options Menu”.
MDX-652P


Display Showing
Battery Result


IR
Output
Decision
Measured
rating
Measured
voltage
Selected
rating
Printer
Button
Toolbar

www.midtronics.com
MDX-652P
7
Options Menu
Procedure
1. Press to access the Options Menu.
2. Use por qto move to the line you want to edit.
3. Press to edit the highlighted line.
4. Use por qto select the character for that cursor location.
5. Press to move to the next location.
6. Press to return to the Options Menu.
Option Explanation
VIEW / PRINT
RESULTS
Press to display the previous test result or to print
the results.
INVENTORY
MODE
Enables up to 100 batteries to be tested in succession
without re-entering battery information each time.
EXPORT DATA Export the last test result to an IR Reader program.
(under development)
PERFORM TEST Begin the Battery Test procedure.
LANGUAGE
SELECTION
Select a language for the tester.
(Default: Spanish)
SET ADDRESS Enter the address to display on the top of the printout.
(Limit: 8 lines, 21 characters per line)
TIME Select 24-hour or AM/PM and set the time.
(Default: AM/PM)
DATE Select the date format as well as set the correct date.
(Default: DD/MM/YYYY)
COUNTER Clear or display battery and system test by results.
CONTRAST Adjust the contrast setting of the tester display.
(Default: 10)
TEMPERATURE
UNITS
Select the temperature units Degrees F or Degrees C
(Default: Degrees C)
VOLTMETER Automatically test battery voltage when the clamps
are rst connected to the battery terminals. Press o
continue testing the battery. Press to return to the
menu. (Default: ON)

www.midtronics.com
MDX-652P
8
Preparations Before the Test
Before connecting the tester, clean the battery posts or side terminals with
a wire brush and a mixture of baking soda and water. When testing side-
post batteries, install and tighten lead terminal adapters. A set of adapters is
included with the tester.
IMPORTANT: Do not test at steel bolts. For OUT-OF-VEHICLE testing,
failure to install terminal adapters or installing terminal adapters that
are worn or dirty may result in inaccurate test results. To avoid dam-
age, never use a wrench to tighten the adapters more than ¼ turn.
If you are testing in the vehicle, make sure all accessory loads are o, the key is
not in the ignition, and the doors are closed.
Connecting the Tester
•Connect the red clamp to the positive (+) terminal and the black clamp to
the negative (–) terminal.
•For a proper connection, move the clamps back and forth. The tester re-
quires that both sides of each clamp be rmly connected before testing. A
poor connection will produce a CHECK CONNECTION or WIGGLE CLAMPS
message. If the message appears, clean the terminals and reconnect the
clamps.
•The preferred test position is at the battery terminals. If the battery is not
accessible, you may test at the jumper post; however, the available power
measurement may be lower than the actual value.

www.midtronics.com
MDX-652P
9
Battery & System Test
When the tester is rst connected to the battery, it functions as a voltmeter
until is pressed to start the test.
NOTE: This voltmeter function can be turned o through the
Options Menu.
Scroll to each parameter using por q and press to select. If any messages
appear during the test, see the “Test Messages”section.
1. BAT. LOCATION: Scroll to and select IN VEHICLE or OUT OF VEHICLE for a
battery not connected to a vehicle. Following an IN VEHICLE test you will be
prompted to test the starting and charging systems.
IMPORTANT: The performance of the starting and charging systems
depends on the battery’s condition. It is important that the battery is
good and fully charged before any further system testing.
2. POST TYPE: (In-Vehicle only) Scroll to TOP POST, SIDE POST or JUMP START
POST where applicable.
3. APPLICATION: Scroll to and select AUTOMOTIVE, MOTORCYCLE, MARINE,
LAWN & GARDEN, GROUP 31, or COMMERCIAL -4D/8D.
4. BATTERY TYPE: Scroll to and select REGULAR FLOODED, AGM FLAT PLATE,
AGM SPIRAL, or GEL where applicable.
5. BATTERY STANDARD: Scroll to and select the battery’s rating system. Not
all rating systems are available for each application.
Standard Description Range
CCA Cold Cranking Amps, as specied by SAE. The most
common rating for cranking batteries at 0 ºF (–17.8 ºC).
100–2000
CA Cranking Amps: Current available at 32 ºF (0 ºC) 100-2000
MCA Marine Cranking Amps: Amount of current available at
32 ºF (0 ºC)
100-2000
JIS# Japanese Industrial Standard, shown on a battery as a
combination of numbers and letters.
26A17 thru
245H52
EN Europa-Norm 100–2000
DIN Deutsche Industrie-Norm 100–1200
SAE Society of Automotive Engineers, the European
labeling of CCA
100–2000
IEC International Electrotechnical Commission 100–1200
6. BATTERY RATING: Scroll to and select the rating units. Hold down por q
to increase the scrolling speed.

www.midtronics.com
MDX-652P
10
7. Press to start test. After several seconds the tester displays the decision
on the battery’s condition and the measured voltage. The tester also dis-
plays your selected battery rating and the rating units.
GOOD BATTERY
VOLTS
MEASURED
RATING
12.50V
465 CCA
500 CCA
6

Decision
Measured
CCA
Measured
voltage
Selected
rating
Decision Interpretation
GOOD BATTERY Return the battery to service.
GOOD-RECHARGE Fully charge the battery and return it to service.
CHARGE &
RETEST
Fully charge the battery and retest. Failure to
fully charge the battery before retesting may
cause inaccurate results. If CHARGE & RETEST
appears again after you fully charge the battery,
replace the battery.
REPLACE BATTERY Replace the battery and retest. A REPLACE
BATTERY result may also mean a poor connection
between the battery cables and the battery. After
disconnecting the battery cables, retest the battery
using the out-of-vehicle test before replacing it.
BAD CELL-
REPLACE
Replace the battery and retest.
24 VOLT SYSTEM 24-volt system detected. Disconnect batteries and
test individually.
READY TO INSTALL Battery has just been activated and is ready to
install in vehicle (Motorcycle only)
NEEDS CHARGE Fully charge battery and retest using BEFORE
DELIVERY. (Motorcycle only)
Failure to fully charge the battery before retesting
may cause false readings.
8. Press to proceed with the starter test, to print the test results or
to return to the Options Menu.
NOTE: For an in-vehicle test, the display alternates between the
test results and the message PRESS FOR STARTER TEST.
IMPORTANT: The MDX-652P retains the results of the last test only.
When you start a new test, the last results are overwritten.

www.midtronics.com
MDX-652P
11
Starter System Test
IMPORTANT: Before starting the test, inspect the alternator drive belt.
A belt that is glazed or worn, or lacks the proper tension, will prevent
the engine from achieving the RPM levels needed for the test.
Once you have completed an in-vehicle test, the display alternates between
the battery test results and the message PRESS FOR STARTER TEST.
1. Press to proceed with the starter test.
2. Start the engine when prompted.
3. The tester displays the decision on the starter system, cranking voltage,
and cranking time in milliseconds.
STARTER SYSTEM
DECISION
CRANKING
TIME
10.20V
718mS
6

Starter
Decision
Cranking
time in
milliseconds
Average
cranking
voltage
Decision Interpretation
CRANKING
NORMAL
The starter voltage is normal and the battery is
fully charged.
LOW
VOLTAGE
The starter voltage is low and the battery is fully charged.
CHARGE
BATTERY
The starter voltage is low and the battery is discharged.
Fully charge the battery and repeat the starter system test.
REPLACE
BATTERY
Battery must be replaced before the starting system can
be tested.
NO START No vehicle start detected.
CRANKING
SKIPPED
A start was not detected.
4. Press to proceed with the charging system test, button to print the
test results, to return to the Options Menu.
NOTE: For an in-vehicle test, the display alternates between the
test results and the message PRESS FOR CHARGING TEST.

www.midtronics.com
MDX-652P
12
Charging System Test
Once you have completed an in-vehicle test, the display alternates between
the battery test results and the message PRESS FOR CHARGING TEST. Press
to proceed with the charging test.
Following the on-screen prompts:
1. Rev the engine.
2. Turn on high beams headlights and the blower fan.
3. Rev engine with loads on.
4. Idle engine and turn o loads.
5. The Charging System decision is displayed at the end of the procedure.
CHARGING SYSTEM
DECISION
NO LOAD
14.29V
LOADED
14.25V


Alternator
Decision
Loads-off
DC Voltage
at rev
Loads-on
DC Voltage
at rev
Decision Interpretation
NO
PROBLEMS
System is showing normal output from the alternator.
NO OUTPUT No alternator output detected.
√ Check all connections to and from the alternator, especially
the connection to the battery.
LOW
OUTPUT
Alternator not providing sufcient current to power the system’s
electrical loads and charge the battery.
√ Check the belts to ensure the alternator is rotating with the
engine running.
√ Check the connections from the alternator to the battery.
HIGH
OUTPUT
Alternator voltage output exceeds the normal limits.
√ Make sure there are no loose connections and the ground
connection is normal.
EXCESSIVE
RIPPLE
Excessive AC ripple detected.
√ One or more diodes in the alternator is not functioning or
there is stator damage.
6. Press 6to print the test results or to return to the Options Menu.

www.midtronics.com
MDX-652P
13
Test Messages
Test Message Interpretation
BAT. TEMPERATURE Select ambient temperature above or below 32 ºF (0 ºC)
CHARGE STATE Select before or after battery has been charged.
SURFACE CHARGE
DETECTED
Remove the surface charge before it begins testing. Testing will
resume after charge has been removed.
CHECK
CONNECTION
One or both clamps are not making proper contact with the
battery terminals.
ENGINE REV NOT
DETECTED PRESS
WHILE REVVING
Tester has not detected an increase in engine RPM.
REVERSE
CONNECTION
Clamps are connected in the wrong polarity:
positive to negative or negative to positive.
SYSTEM NOISE
CHECK LOADS
In-vehicle testing. Tester has detected computer, ignition noise
or parasitic drain. Make sure all vehicle loads are off including
open doors and ignition switch.
UNSTABLE
BATTERY
Out-of-vehicle. Weak battery, should be charged and retested.
WIGGLE
CLAMPS
Clamps are not making good contact with
battery terminals
Error Messages
Error Message Interpretation
BATTERY POWER TOO
LOW TO USE PRINTER.
CONNECT TO FULLY
CHARGED BATTERY
11.50 TO 16.00V
Battery being tested has fallen below 9 volts. Connect to
a fully charged battery to use the printer.
CONNECT TO
12V BATTERY
Tester is not connected to the battery
LOW INTERNAL AA
BATTERIES. REPLACE
AA BATTERIES SOON!
Internal AA batteries are low and need to be replaced.
See “Maintenance & Troubleshooting” section.
NON 12 VOLT SYSTEM
DETECTED
System being tested is not 12-volts.
PRINTER DOOR OPEN.
CLOSE DOOR AND TRY
TO PRINT AGAIN
Door covering printer paper is not secure.
PRINTER OUT OF PAPER
REPLACE WITH THERMAL
PRINTER PAPER.
2.5 IN. DIA. MAX.
2.25 IN. WIDE MAX
Printer is out of thermal paper. Replace with new roll.
See “Maintenance & Troubleshooting” section.
INVENTORY DATA
MEMORY FULL
PRINT RESULTS OR
CLEAR MEMORY.
INVENTORY mode memory is full. Select INVENTORY
mode from the Options Menu to clear the memory.

www.midtronics.com
MDX-652P
14
Inventory Mode
When the tester is rst connected to the battery, it functions as a voltmeter
until is pressed.
NOTE: This voltmeter function can be turned o through the
Options Menu.
1. At the Menu, scroll to INVENTORY MODE and press start the test.
2. Select ON to test, OFF, or VIEW TEST RESULTS to view and print past test results.
3. Select ADD TO MEMORY to continue with the test (Max. test: 100) or CLEAR
MEMORY to erase all previous test results.
4. APPLICATION: Scroll to and select AUTOMOTIVE, MOTORCYCLE, MARINE,
LAWN & GARDEN, GROUP 31, or COMMERCIAL -4D/8D.
5. BATTERY TYPE: Scroll to and select REGULAR FLOODED, AGM FLAT PLATE,
AGM SPIRAL, or GEL where applicable.
6. BATTERY STANDARD: Scroll to and select the battery’s rating system. Not
all rating systems are available for each application.
7. BATTERY RATING: Scroll to and select the rating units. Hold down por q
to increase the scrolling speed.
8. VOLTAGE LIMIT: Enter the VOLTAGE LIMIT voltage (12.20 - 12.80v). Hold
down por q to increase the scrolling speed.
9. Press to start test. The result is displayed on the screen and added to the
tester memory.
10. When testing additional batteries in Inventory Mode, the analyzer re-starts
the test automatically using the same test parameters. To change the pa-
rameters, press and repeat steps 1 through 9.

www.midtronics.com
MDX-652P
15
Maintenance & Troubleshooting
Changing The Cable Assembly
1. Identify the circled screw.
2. Remove the screw.
3. Grasp the housing and rmly pull the cable assembly from housing.
4. To attach a new cable, align the cable and tester housings and push to-
gether. Insert the screw and tighten.

www.midtronics.com
MDX-652P
16
Changing The Printer Paper
The IR printer only uses thermal paper in a roll with the dimensions 2.25 in x 85
ft (57 mm x 25.9 m). You can purchase replacement rolls at most oce supply
stores.
If you have diculty obtaining paper please contact Midtronics customer
service at 1-630-323-2800.
To replace the paper roll:
1. Unlock the printer door by gently pressing on the red lever. Remove the
spent roll.
paper
compartment
release lever: press in this direction
paper
sensor
2. Place a new roll of paper in the compartment, and pull the paper forward
so that it extends past the serrated edge of the paper slot.
paper feeds from
underneath the roll
3. Close the door and make sure the lever locks securely.

www.midtronics.com
MDX-652P
17
Printer Troubleshooting
If the MDX-652P is not connected to a 12-volt battery with at least 11.5 volts of
power or the paper sensor does not detect paper in the compartment during the
print process, the tester displays one of error messages described in the table:
Error Message Interpretation
PRINTER OUT OF PAPER
REPLACE WITH THERMAL
PRINTER PAPER.
2.5 IN. DIA. MAX
2.25 IN. WIDE MAX
9Verify that the paper is inserted correctly.
9Insert a new roll of paper.
9Verify that the paper sensor is clean and undamaged.
BATTERY POWER TOO
LOW TO USE PRINTER.
CONNECT TO FULLY
CHARGED BATTERY.
11.50 V TO 16.00 V
To print, the tester must be properly connected to a vehicle
battery having at least 9 volts.
9Connect to a vehicle battery with enough voltage to
enable printing.
9Make sure that the clamps are connected properly:
red clamp to the positive (+) terminal and the black
clamp to the negative (-) terminal.
9Check that both sides of the clamps are making
contact with the terminals.
PRINTER DOOR OPEN
CLOSE DOOR AND TRY
TO PRINT AGAIN
9Check that the door covering the printer paper is
properly closed and latched.
Troubleshooting the Display
If the display does not turn on:
•Check the connection to the vehicle battery.
•The vehicle battery may be too low (below 1 volt) to power the analyzer.
Fully charge the battery and retest.
•The analyzer’s AA batteries may need to be replaced. (alkaline recom-
mended).
•If the analyzer does not power on when you press and hold , replace the
AA batteries.

www.midtronics.com
MDX-652P
18
Replacing the Battery
The MDX-652P can test down to 5.5 volts when the unit’s internal batteries are
not functioning. The tester displays LOW INTERNAL AA BATTERIES, REPLACE AA
BATTERIES SOON! when the internal AA batteries need to be replaced.
NOTE: Setup information will be retained while you change the
internal batteries.
Use the following procedure to remove and replace the internal AA batteries.
1. Turn the tester face down.
2. Remove the screw securing the battery compartment cover using a small
Phillips screwdriver.
3. Lift the door o and remove the discharged battery.
4. Insert fresh AA batteries making sure the positive and negative terminals
are positioned correctly.
5. Reposition the cover and tighten the screw.

www.midtronics.com
MDX-652P
19

167-000476EN-A 4/13 ©2013 Midtronics, Inc. All rights reserved.
PATENTS
This product is made by Midtronics, Inc., and is protected by one or more U.S. and foreign patents.
For specic patent information, contact Midtronics, Inc. at [phone].
LIMITED WARRANTY
Midtronics products are warranted to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for a period
of one (1) year from date of purchase. Midtronics will, at our option, repair or replace the unit with
a re-manufactured unit. This limited warranty applies only to Midtronics products, and does not
cover any other equipment, static damage, water damage, overvoltage damage, dropping the
unit, or damage resulting from extraneous causes including owner misuse. Midtronics is not liable
for any incidental or consequential damages for breach of this warranty. The warranty is void if
owner attempts to disassemble the unit or to modify the cable assembly.
SERVICE
To obtain service, contact Midtronics at 1-630-323-2800 or at [e-mail]. Have
your model and serial numbers ready. This rst step is critical as we will trouble-shoot the
problem(s) over the phone, and many perceived problems are in fact resolved during this step.
If the problem cannot be resolved, then the CS Agent will issue you a Return Material
Authorization or RMA. This number becomes your tracking number. The nal step is to return
the unit to Midtronics freight prepaid (you pay), to the attention of the RMA number obtained.
In USA:
Midtronics, Inc.
Attn: RMA # xxxxx (this is the RMA number that you must obtain from Midtronics)
7000 Monroe St.
Willowbrook, IL 60527
If Midtronics determines that the failure was caused by misuse, alteration, accident, or abnormal
condition of operation or handling, purchaser will be billed for the repaired product and it will be
returned freight prepaid with shipping & handling charges added to the invoice. Midtronics
products beyond the warranty period are subject to the repair charges in place at that time.