Midtronics PBT-300 User manual

For testing 12-volt automotive starting batteries
rated in CCA, SAE, DIN, IEC, and EN
Patents
ThistesterismadeintheU.S.A.byMIDTRONICS,INC.andisprotectedby
oneormore of thefollowingU.S. Patents: 6,323,650;6,316,914;6,304,087;
6,249,124;6,163,156;6,091,245;6,051,976;5,831,435;5,821,756;
5,757,192;5,592,093;5,585,728;5,572,136;4,912,416;4,881,038;
4,825,170;4,816,768;4,322,685;Canadianpatents:1,280,164;1,295,680;
UnitedKingdompatents:0,417,173;0,672,248;Germanpatents:68923
281.0-08;69325 388.6; 9321 638.6; andotherU.S. and Foreignpatents
issuedand pending. Thisproductmay utilizetechnologyexclusively
licensedtoMidtronics, Inc. by JohnsonControls,Inc. and/or Motorola, Inc.
Service
Forservice, contact Midtronics foraReturnAuthorizationnumber,and
returnthe unit toMidtronicsfreight prepaid,Attention:RA#. Midtronics will
repairor replacethe testerand reship,the nextscheduled businessday
following receipt,using the same type carrier and serviceas received.
IfMidtronics determines thatthe failurewas caused bymisuse, alteration,
accident,or abnormal conditionof operation orhandling, purchaser will
havethe optionof purchasinga replacementtester or the unit will be
returnedfreight collect. Battery testers beyond the warrantyperiod are
subjectto therepair chargesin effect at that time.
Limited Warranty
This battery tester is warranted to be free of defects in materials and
workmanship for a period of one year from the date of purchase.
Midtronicswill, atour option,repair theunit or replace the unit with a
remanufacturedtester. This limitedwarrantyapplies onlytoMidtronics
batterytesters and doesnot coverany other equipment,static damage,
waterdamage,overvoltage, dropping unitor damage resultingfrom
extraneouscauses includingowner misuse. Midtronicsis notliable forany
incidentalor consequential damages for breach of this warranty.The
warrantyis void if owner attempts to disassemble the unit,or tomodify the
cableassembly.
P/N 168-074A 4/04 ©2004 Midtronics, Inc.
Testing Out-of-Vehicle:
Clean the battery posts or side terminals with a wire brush.
For testing side-post batteries, install and tighten the lead
terminal stud adapters. Failure to properly install the stud
adapters, or using stud adapters that are dirty or worn,
may result in false test results. Do not use steel bolts.
Testing In-Vehicle:
Turn off the vehicle and all accessory loads. Testing with the
ignition switch on or vehicle loads on may cause
inaccurate readings.
If the vehicle was running prior to testing, turn on the headlights
for 30 seconds to remove the surface charge. Let the battery rest
for 1 minute to recover before testing.
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
CAUTION: Because of the possibility of personal
injury, always use extreme caution when working with
batteries. Follow all BCI (Battery Council International)
safety recommendations.
WARNING: (Required by California Prop. 65) 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. Wash hands after handling.
!
!
Advanced Battery Conductance/
Electrical System Tester
1. Connect the tester clamps to the battery: red to the positive
(+) terminal, black to the negative (–) terminal. For a good
connection, rock each clamp back and forth.
2. The battery rating system last selected will appear on the
display for 3 seconds, then the default rating. If the rating
system is correct, go to step 3 in “2. Battery Test.”
3. Disconnect the clamps and connect the black clamp to the
negative (–) terminal.
4. Press and hold the TEST button.
5. Connect the positive clamp (red) to the positive (+) terminal.
6. After the display shows the letters of the rating system with
dots(for example,.C.C.A ),release the TESTbutton.
7. Use the ARROW buttons to scroll to the correct rating
system.
Rating System* Increment Default Range
CCA 20 500 100–1400
SAE 20 600 100–1400
EN 20 600 100–1400
IEC 10 280 100–800
DIN 10 280 100–800
*For JIS, use the conversion table on the back of the PBT-300.
8. Press the TEST button to select the rating system. The
default rating will appear.
9. Continue with step 3 in “2. Battery Test.”
1. SELECTING THE RATING SYSTEM

1. If testing in-vehicle, make sure all vehicle loads (lights, etc.) are
off and the key is removed. Connect the tester clamps to the
battery: red to positive(+), black to negative (–). Rock each
clamp back and forth to make a good connection.
2. The battery rating system last selected will appear on the
display for 3 seconds, then the default rating value. (To change
the rating system, follow the steps in “1. Selecting the Rating
System.”)
3. Use the ARROW buttons to scroll to the battery’s rating.
4. Press the TEST button.
5. One or more top-panel LEDs (green, green and yellow,
yellow, or red) will light to indicate the battery’s condition.
The display will alternate between the voltage and available
power.
If the display flashes or shows one flashing letter, the battery is
too low (< 8 volts) to test. Fully charge the battery and retest.
A message that alternates between bAd and CELL means one
or more battery cells are bad. Replace the battery.
A conn message means there is a bad connection. Disconnect
the clamps and reconnect. Make sure to rock the clamps back
and forth to make a good connection.
If the top-panel red LED lights when you test in-vehicle, there
may be a poor connection between the battery cables and the
vehicle. Disconnect the battery cables and retest at the battery
posts before replacing the battery.
Excessive electromagnetic interference may cause the tester to
reset during testing. Before retesting, reconnect the clamps and:
• Make sure all vehicle loads and the ignition are off.
• Move away from the noise source, which may be a charger or
other high-current device.
• If you are unable to find the noise source, fully charge the
battery and retest at the battery posts. If the top-panel red
LED lights again, replace the battery.
2. BATTERY TEST
Bottom-Panel LEDs Decision
5. STARTING SYSTEM TEST RESULTS
TROUBLESHOOTING
NOTE: The battery must be good and fully charged for
this test.
1. When the vehicle is running, connect the tester clamps to the
battery: red to the positive (+) terminal, black to the negative
(–) terminal. Rock each clamp back and forth to make a good
connection.
2. Press the Vbutton to read the live voltage.
3. Rev the engine at 2000 rpm for 15 seconds.
4. Press and hold the UP ARROW to read the highest average
charging voltage.
NOTE: The battery must be good and fully charged for
this test.
1. Connect the tester clamps to the battery: red to the positive
(+) terminal, black to the negative (–) terminal. Rock each
clamp back and forth to make a good connection.
2. Press the Vbutton to read the live voltage.
3. Start the vehicle.
4. Press and hold the DOWN ARROW to read the cranking
voltage.
4. STARTING SYSTEM TEST
Top-Panel LEDs
GREEN
YELLOW
Decision
GREEN
YELLOW
RED The battery has failed or is weak and
may soon fail. Replace the battery.
Fully charge the battery and return it to
service.
Fully charge the battery and retest. If
you get the same result after charging,
replace the battery.
The battery is good. Return it to service.
3. BATTERY TEST RESULTS
GREEN The cranking voltage is greater than
9.6 V. The starting system is OK.
The cranking voltage is less than 9.6 V,
which indicates a starting system
problem. Check the connections, wiring,
and starter.
RED
Bottom-Panel LEDs Decision
GREEN The highest average charging voltage
is between 13.3 V and 15.5 V. The
charging system is OK.
RED
7. CHARGING SYSTEM TEST RESULTS
The highest average charging voltage is
less than 13.3 V or greater than 15.5 V,
which indicates a charging system
problem. If less than 13.3 V, check the
connections, wiring, and alternator. If
greater than 15.5 V, check the regulator.
6. CHARGING SYSTEM TEST