Midtronics MDX-300 Series User manual

For 12-volt automotive starting batteries
and starting/charging systems
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
MDX-300 Series

Blank page

•3•
MDX-300 Series
Contents
Caution ..................................................................................................... 4
Capabilities............................................................................................... 4
Display and Keypad.................................................................................. 4
Preparations Before the Test.................................................................... 6
Connecting the Tester............................................................................... 6
Battery Test............................................................................................... 6
Battery Test Results............................................................................. 8
Starter System Test ................................................................................. 8
Starter System Test Results ................................................................ 9
Charging System Test ............................................................................. 9
Charging System Test Results............................................................. 9
Test Messages........................................................................................ 11
Options Menu ......................................................................................... 13
Print Results ..................................................................................... 13
View Results ..................................................................................... 13
Perform Test ..................................................................................... 13
Voltmeter ......................................................................................... 14
Set Address ....................................................................................... 14
Language .......................................................................................... 14
Changing the Printer Paper.................................................................... 15
Troubleshooting the Printer .................................................................... 16
Troubleshooting the Display ................................................................... 16
Replacing the 9-Volt Battery ................................................................... 17
Specications ......................................................................................... 18

•4•
MDX-300 Series
CAUTION
Because of the possibility of personal injury, always use extreme caution
when working with batteries.
Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead
compounds. Wash hands after handling.
Capabilities
The Battery & Electrical System Tester tests 12-volt regular, AGM, and Gel
batteries, and 12-volt starting and charging systems of 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900CCA
• detectbadcells
• protectagainstreversepolarity
• testdischargedbatteries
• testmultipleratingsystems(SAE,DIN,EN,IEC,JIS)
• provideachoiceof19languages
Display and Keypad
Whenyourstconnectthetestertoabattery,itfunctionsasavoltmeter
until you press the ENTER button.
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.
!

•5•
MDX-300 Series
1Use the UP and DOWN ARROW
buttons to choose test parameters
and scroll to menu options.
2Use the ENTER button to make se-
lections.
3Use the BACK button to move to
the previous screen or to move
back one space when creating a
custom header for your printed test
results.
4Briey press and hold the MENU
button to display these options:
PRINTRESULTS
VIEW RESULTS
PERFORM TEST
VOLTMETER
SET ADDRESS
LANGUAGE
Use the ARROW buttons to scroll
up or down to options in the list,
and press ENTER to select.
For information about the options, see “Options Menu” on page 13.
Toturnoffthetesterwhennotconnectedtothebattery,brieypressand
hold the MENU button.
1
2
Printer
Display showing
battery voltage
3
4

•6•
MDX-300 Series
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.
IMPORTANT: Do not test at steel bolts. Failure to install terminal adapters
or installing terminal adapters that are worn or dirty may result in inac-
curate test results. To avoid damage, never use a wrench to tighten the
adapters more than 1/4 turn.
If you are testing in the vehicle, make sure all accessory loads are off, the
key is not in the ignition, and the doors are closed. If the vehicle was run-
ningbeforethetest,turnontheheadlightstoremovethebattery’ssurface
charge. Let the battery rest for at least 1 minute to recover before testing.
Connecting the Tester
• Connect the red clamp to the positive (+) terminal and the black
clamptothenegative(–)terminal.
• Foraproperconnection,rocktheclampsbackandforth.Thetester
requires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 avail-
able power measurement may be lower than the actual value.
Battery Test
Whenyourstconnectthetestertothebattery,itfunctionsasavoltmeter
until you press the ENTER button to start the test.
After you press ENTER, scroll to each parameter using the UP or DOWN
ARROW button and press ENTER to select. If any messages appear dur-
ing the test, see “Test Messages” on page 11.

•7•
MDX-300 Series
1. BAT.LOCATION: Scroll to and select OUT OF VEHICLE for a battery
not connected to a vehicle or INVEHICLE. The in-vehicle test includes
the options of testing 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.
BAT. AGE: Select NewBatteryorInService:
Newbattery:Batteryisfreshproducedandnotyetinstalledin ave-
hicle. For instance: the battery is in a warehouse waiting for delivery
to a customer.
In service: the Battery is already used and cycled in the vehicle
2. BATTERY TYPE: Scroll to and select REGULAR lead-acid, AGM, or
GEL.
3. STANDARD: Scroll to and select the battery’s rating system. The
available rating systems and their ranges are:
Standard Description Range
EN Europa-Norm 100–900
IEC International Electrotechnical Commission 100–550
SAE Society of Automotive Engineers,
the European labeling of CCA
100–900
DIN DeutscheIndustrie-Norm 100–550
CCA ColdCrankingAmps,asspeciedbySAE.
The most common rating for cranking
batteriesat0ºF(–17.8ºC).
100–900
4. BAT.RATING: Scroll to and select the rating units. They increase and
decreasebyveunits.Toincreasescrollingspeed,pressandholdthe
UP or DOWN ARROW button.
5. Press ENTER to start the test. Within seconds the tester displays the
results, which consist of a decision on the battery’sconditionandits
measured voltage. The tester also displays your selected battery rat-
ing and the rating units.

•8•
MDX-300 Series
Battery Test Results In service
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.
Battery test results New battery
OK Battery is ready to be installed
OK, CHARGE Battery needs to be charged before installation
If you have completed an out-of-vehicle test, the display alternates be-
tween the battery test results and the message PRESS FORTOPRINT.
Because the printer is powered by the voltage of the battery you are test-
ing the battery voltage must be greater than 9 volts. Keep the clamps
connected and press ENTER. For more information about the printer, see
“Changing the Printer Paper” on page 16 and “Troubleshooting Printer
Problems” on page 16.
To quit before printing, disconnect the clamps. Remember to print out your
test results before the next test.
IMPORTANT: The tester retains the results of the last test only. When you
start a new test, the last results are overwritten.
Starter System Test
If you have completed an in-vehicle test, the display alternates between
the battery test results and the message PRESS FOR STARTER TEST.
To continue, start the engine at the prompt.
The display alternates between the decision on the starter system and the
measured voltage drop.

•9•
MDX-300 Series
Starter System Test Results
Decision Interpretation
CRANKING
VOLTAGE OK
The starter voltage is normal and the battery is
fully charged.
CRANKING
VOLTAGE LOW
The starter voltage is low and the battery is fully
charged.
CHARGE BATTERY The starter voltage is low and the battery is dis-
charged. Fully charge the battery and repeat the
starter system test.
REPLACE BATTERY If the battery test result was REPLACE or BAD
CELL, the battery must be replaced before test-
ing the starter.
If you have completed an in-vehicle test, the display alternates between
the battery test results and the message PRESS   FOR CHARGING
TEST. With the engine running, press ENTER to continue.
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.
Charging System Test
The display alternates between the decision on the charging system and
thealternator’speakoutputvoltage.
Charging System Test Results
Decision Interpretation
CHARGING
VOLTAGE OK
The system is showing normal output from the al-
ternator.Noproblemdetected.
CHARGING
VOLTAGENONE
The alternator is not providing charging current to
the battery.
√Check the belts to ensure the alternator is ro-
tating with the engine running. Replace broken
or slipping belts and retest.
continued

•10 •
MDX-300 Series
Decision Interpretation
CHARGING
VOLTAGENONE
(continued)
√Check all connections to and from the alterna-
tor, especially the connection to the battery. If
the connection is loose or heavily corroded,
clean or replace the cable and retest.
√If the belts and connections are in good
workingcondition,replacethealternator.(Older
vehicles use external voltage regulators, which
may require only replacement of the voltage
regulator.)
CHARGING
VOLTAGE LOW
The alternator is not providing enough current to
powerthesystem’selectricalloadsandchargethe
battery.
√Check the belts to ensure the alternator is rotat-
ing with the engine running. Replace broken or
slipping belts and retest.
√Check the connections from the alternator to the
battery. If the connection is loose or heavily cor-
roded, clean or replace the cable and retest.
CHARGING
VOLTAGE HIGH
The voltage output from the alternator to the
battery exceeds the normal limits of a functioning
regulator.
√Check to ensure there are no loose connec-
tions and that the ground connection is normal.
If there are no connection problems, replace the
regulator. Most alternators have a built-in regu-
lator that requires replacing the alternator. In
older vehicles that use external voltage regula-
tors, you may need to replace only the voltage
regulator.
continued

•11 •
MDX-300 Series
Test Messages
In some cases the tester asks for additional information before completing
a test. It may also warn you of a condition that prevents proper testing.
Test Message Interpretation
BATTERY TEMP.
ABOVE or BELOW
0°C
If the tester detects that the temperature of the
battery may make a difference in the result, it
will ask you to select if the battery temperature is
aboveor below0˚C.Itwillresumethe testafter
you make your selection.
BEFORE or
AFTER CHARGE
For a more decisive result, the tester may ask if
you are testing the battery before or after charging.
If the vehicle has just been driven, select BEFORE
CHARGE. It will resume the test after you make
your selection.
continued
Decision Interpretation
CHARGING
VOLTAGE HIGH
(continued)
The regulator controls voltage output based on
the battery voltage, under-hood temperature, and
vehicle loads used. In other words, it controls the
maximum voltage the system can produce based
on the current needs and amount of current that
can be produced by the spinning of the rotor in
the alternator. The normal high limit of a typical
automotive regulator is 15.0 volts +/–0.5. Refer
to the manufacturer specications for the correct
limit, which may vary by vehicle type.
A high charging rate will overcharge the battery
and may decrease its life and cause it to fail. If the
battery test decision is REPLACE and the charging
systemtestshowsCHARGINGVOLTAGEHIGH,
checkthebattery’selectrolytelevels.Asymptomof
overcharging is battery uid spewing through the
vent caps, which causes low electrolyte levels and
harms the battery.

•12 •
MDX-300 Series
Test Message Interpretation
CONNECTTO
BATTERY
Connect both clamps to the battery terminals.
CHECK
CONNECTION
One or both clamps are not making proper contact
with the battery terminals. The tester requires that
bothsidesofeachclampbermlyconnectedbefore
testing.
√For a proper connection, rock the clamps back
and forth. If the message reappears, clean the
terminals and reconnect the clamps.
NON12-VOLT
SYSTEM
DETECTED
√You are conducting an out-of-vehicle test on a
non-12-volt battery or batteries connected in se-
ries. Disconnect the batteries and test them indi-
vidually.
REVERSE
CONNECTION
The clamps are connected in the wrong polarity:
positive to negative or negative to positive.
SURFACE
CHARGE
DETECTED
The battery will hold a surface charge if the engine
has been running or after the battery has been
charged. The tester may prompt you to remove the
surface charge before it begins testing.
√ Followthetester’sinstructionsindicatingwhen
to turn the headlights on and off. The tester will
resume testing after it detects that the surface
charge is removed.
SYSTEMNOISE/
UNSTABLE
BATTERY
The tester has detected computer, ignition noise, or
parasitic drain, and will attempt to retest. Make sure
all vehicle loads are off, the doors are closed, and the
ignition is in the off position. The tester automatically
retests when it no longer detects system noise. If the
message reappears:
√Disconnect the clamps and retest.
√You may be testing too close to a noise source,
such as a charger or other high-current device.
If so, move away and retest.
continued

•13 •
MDX-300 Series
SYSTEM
NOISE/
UNSTABLE
BATTERY
(continued)
√ Ifyouareunabletondthesourceofthenoise,
fully charge the battery and retest. If the message
appears after recharging, test the battery out of
the vehicle.
√A battery that is weak, or that has just been
charged, may retain enough electrical activity to
for the tester to detect and will adversely affect
the test results. A fully charged battery should sta-
bilize quickly, after which the tester will automati-
cally retest. Weak batteries should be charged
and retested. If the battery is fully charged, check
the clamp connections.
WIGGLE
CLAMPS
The clamps are not making good contact with the
battery terminals.
√Rock the clamps back and forth. If there message
reappears clean the terminals and reconnect the
clamps.
Options Menu
To select the following options, press and hold the MENU button. Use
the UP or DOWN ARROW button to scroll to an option and press
ENTER to select.
Print Results
Select this option to print the results of the last test you performed on the
battery, starter and charging system. To power the tester, connect the tes-
ter to a 12-volt battery with over 9 volts of power.
IMPORTANT: Remember to print the results before you start a new test.
The previous results are overwritten by the new test results.
For information on changing the printer paper and troubleshooting, see
pages 15 and 16.
View Results
Select this option to view the last performed battery, starter and charging
system test.
Perform Test
Select this option to perform a battery test without rst connecting to a
battery.

•14 •
MDX-300 Series
Voltmeter
CAUTION:Connectingthetestertoavoltagesourcegreaterthan30Vdc
candamagethetester’scircuitry.
Select this option to view the battery voltage. Press ENTER to continue
testing the battery. Press BACK to return to the menu.
Set Address
Select this option to create a header for your printed test results showing
your store name, address, and phone number. There are six lines with 16
characters per line. The lines contain a default header, which is displayed
two per screen that you can overwrite.
To help you edit and center your coupon use a pencil to write the informa-
tion in the template below before entering it into the tester.
Header Template
Line 1
Line 2
Line 3
Line 4
Line 5
Line 6
To create a header:
1. Select SET ADDRESS from the menu.
2. The cursor blinks below the character that is ready for editing. Use the
ARROW buttons to scroll to the character that you want to edit.
3. Press the ENTER button to select and move to the next space.
NOTE: Insert a blank space by scrolling to the space character located
betweentheZand0(zero)charactersandpressENTER. Press the
BACK button to move the cursor back one space.
4. Continue until you have entered all of the information. Exit by entering
the last available character.
Language
Select a languageforthetester’suserinterfaceandprintouts.

•15 •
MDX-300 Series
Changing the Printer Paper
The roll size is 2-1/4 inches wide by 1-7/8 inch in diameter. Replacement
rollsareavailableatmostofcesupplystores.
The tester uses only thermal printing paper.
To replace the paper roll:
1. Unlock the printer door by gently pressing forward on the red lever.
Remove the spent roll.
2. Place a new roll of paper in the compartment, and pull the paper for-
ward so that it extends past the serrated edge of the paper slot.
3. Close the door and make sure the lever locks securely.
NOTE: For a clean tear, pull the paper along the edge of the plastic.
Do not pull the paper straight out of the printer.
paper
compartment
release lever: press in this direction
paper
sensor
paper feeds from
underneath the roll
paper

•16 •
MDX-300 Series
Troubleshooting the Printer
If the tester is not connected to a 12-volt battery with at least 9 volts of
power or the paper sensor does not detect paper in the compartment dur-
ing the print process, the tester displays one of the error messages de-
scribed in the table:
Error Message Interpretation
INSERTPAPER
THENPRESS
√Verify that the paper is inserted correctly.
√Insert a new roll of paper.
√Verify that the paper sensor is clean and un-
damaged
VOLTAGE TOO
LOWTOPRINT
To print, the tester must be properly connected to a
vehicle battery having at least 9 volts.
√Connect to a vehicle battery with enough volt-
age to enable printing.
√Make sure that the clamps are connected prop-
erly:redclamptothepositive(+)terminaland
theblackclamptothenegative(-)terminal.
√Check that both sides of the clamps are mak-
ing contact with the terminals.
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ana-
lyzer. Fully charge the battery and retest.
• The analyzer’s 9-volt battery may need to be replaced. Follow
the directions in “Replacing the 9-Volt Battery” and replace the
9-voltbattery(alkalinerecommended).
• If the analyzer does not power on when you press and hold the
MENU button, replace the 9-volt battery.

•17 •
MDX-300 Series
Replacing the 9-Volt Battery
Thetesterusesa9-voltbattery(alkalinerecommended)thatallowstest-
ing of 12-volt batteries discharged down to 1 volt in addition to supply-
ing power while the option menu is active. The tester can test down to
5.5 volts when the internal 9-volt battery is not functioning.
NOTE: The tester retains setup information while you change the 9-volt
battery.
1. Turn the tester face down.
2. Remove the screw securing the battery compartment cover using a
small Phillips screwdriver.
3. Slide the door off as shown in the illustration.
4. Remove the discharged battery.
5. Insert a 9-volt battery as shown below, making sure the positive and
negative terminals are positioned correctly.
6. Reposition the cover and tighten the screw.
slide the door in this direction

•18 •
MDX-300 Series
Model:
 • VMF-BTS1250V2.0
Display:
 • LCDgraphicsdisplay
Temperature Compensation:
 • Tester-prompted
Operating Temperature:
 •  -18˚Cto50˚C
Test Range:
 • 100–1250SAE,100–750DIN,
100–1250EN,100–750IEC
Built-in Printer:
 • Poweredbybatteryunder
test
Voltage Range:
 • Tests12-voltbatteriesdown
to 1 volt
Cable Length:
 • 533.4mm
Power Requirements:
• Uses power of battery
under test or 9-volt battery
Voltmeter:
 • 0to30Vdc+/-0.05Vdc
Languages: 19
Housing Material:
 • Acid-resistantABSplastic
Dimensions:
 • 230mmx102mmx65mm
Weight:
 • 499g
Specications

•19 •
MDX-300 Series
Patents
TheMDX-300seriesare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+1630323-2800.
Limited Warranty
This battery tester is warranted to be free of defects in materials and work-
manshipforaperiodoftwo(2)yearsfromdateofpurchase.Midtronics
will, at our option, repair the unit or replace the unit with a remanufactured
tester. This limited warranty applies only to the Midtronics battery tester and
does not cover any other equipment, wear and tear parts such as the cable,
static damage, water damage, over-voltage, 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.

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