PulseTech 390PT User manual

390PT Battery Analyzer
Starting/Charging System Tester
For testing 6- and 12-volt batteries and
12- and 24-volt charging systems

800-580-75542
Test Procedures / Operating Instructions
IMPORTANT:
1. For testing 6 and 12 volt batteries, and for testing 12 and 24 volt charging systems.
2. Suggested range of operation 32ºF (0ºC) to 122ºF (50ºC) in ambient temperature.
WARNING:
1. Working in the vicinity of a lead acid battery is dangerous. Batteries generate explosive
gases during normal battery operation. For this reason, it is of utmost importance, if you
have any doubt, that each time before using your tester, you read these instructions very
carefully.
2. To reduce risk of battery explosion, follow these instructions and those published by the
battery manufacturer and manufacturer of any equipment you intend to use in the vicin-
ity of the battery. Observe cautionary markings on these items.
3. Do not expose the tester to rain or snow.
Personal Safety Precautions
1. Someone should be within range of your voice or close enough to come to your aid when
you work near a lead acid battery.
2. Have plenty of fresh water and soap nearby in case battery acid contacts skin, clothing
or eyes.
3. Wear safety glasses and protective clothing.
1
2
3
45
LEGEND
1. LCD Display
2. UP/DOWN Button
3. ENTER: function selection/
confirm choice
4. Positive Clamp (RED, +)
5. Negative Clamp (BLACK, -)

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4. If battery acid contacts skin or clothing, wash immediately with soap and water. If acid
enters eye, immediately flood eye with running cold water for at least ten minutes and
get medical attention immediately.
5. NEVER smoke or allow a spark or flame in vicinity of battery or engine.
6. Be extra cautious to reduce risk of dropping a metal tool onto the battery. It could spark
or short-circuit the battery or other electrical parts and could cause an explosion.
7. Remove personal metal items such as rings, bracelets, necklaces and watches when
working with a lead acid battery. It can produce a short circuit current high enough to
weld a ring or the like to metal causing a severe burn.
Preparing To Test
1. Be sure area around battery is well ventilated while battery is being tested.
2. Clean battery terminals. Be careful to keep corrosion from coming in contact with eyes.
3. Inspect the battery for cracked or broken case or cover. If battery is damaged, do not
use tester.
4. If the battery is not sealed maintenance free, add distilled water in each cell until battery
acid reaches level specified by the manufacturer. This helps purge excessive gas from
cells. Do not overfill.
5. If necessary to remove battery from vehicle to test, always remove ground terminal from
battery first. Make sure all accessories in the vehicle are off to ensure you do not cause
any arcing.
Operation & Use
BATTERY TEST
1. Before you test a battery in a vehicle, turn off the ignition, all accessories and loads.
Close all the vehicle doors and the trunk lid.
2. Make sure you have put a 9V battery into the battery chamber of the 390PT. If the 9V
battery runs out of power, screen will show “INTERNAL BATTERY LOW”. Replace with
proper 9V battery before starting the test.
Note that nothing will be seen on the display until tester is connected to a vehicle battery.
3. Make sure the battery terminals are clean. Wire brush them if necessary. Clamp the
black lead to the vehicle negative battery terminal. Clamp the red lead to the vehicle
positive battery terminal. Clamp onto the lead part of the terminal. Clamping onto the
iron or steel part of the terminal can lead to erroneous results.

800-580-75544
IS BATTERY s\t
CHARGED? YES
4. You will view the following screens:
SYSTEM ANALYZER BATTERY TEST s\t
××.×× V
* Press s\tto select language or system test.
* Press “Enter” to do battery test.
SYSTEM TEST s\t
××.×× V
* Press s\tto select battery test or language
* Press “Enter” to do system test.
LANGUAGE s\t
SELECT
* Press s\tto select battery test or system test.
* Press “Enter” to set language.
LANGUAGE s\t
ENGLISH
* Press s\tto select language.
* Press “Enter” to confirm choice & go back to
battery test.
5. Press the s\tkey to select battery test.
Press «ENTER» button.
6. Press the s\tkey to select the battery type:
a. REGULAR/LIQUID
b. AGM FLAT PLATE
c. AGM SPIRAL
d. VRLA/GEL
Press «ENTER» to confirm choice.
7. Press the s\tkey to select the battery rating:
SAE (CCA), IEC, DIN or JIS
Press «ENTER» to confirm choice.
8. Press the s\tkey to input the battery capacity in CCA’s
 •SAE:40~2000
 •EN:40~2100 •IEC:30~1500
 •DIN:25~1300 •JIS:ByBatteryTypeNumber
Press «ENTER» to begin the test.
9. Testing the battery will take a few seconds.
10. If prompted, Press the s\tkey to select battery
fully charged or not.
Press «ENTER» to confirm choice.
BATTERY TYPE s\t
AGM FLAT PLATE
SELECT RATING s\t
SAE
SET CAPACITY s\t
xxxx SAE
TESTING

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11. When the test is completed, the display shows the actual volts and the actual CCA
and/or {Press the s\tkey to select: SOH (STATE OF HEALTH) or SOC (STATE OF
CHARGE)}. One of six results will be displayed:
GOOD & PASS :
The battery is good & capable of holding a charge.
GOOD & RECHARGE :
The battery is good but needs to be recharged.
RECHARGE & RETEST :
Battery is discharged, the battery condition cannot
be determined until it is fully charged. Recharge &
retest the battery.
BAD & REPLACE :
The battery will not hold a charge. It should be
replaced immediately.
BAD CELL & REPLACE :
The battery has at least one cell short circuit.
It should be replaced immediately.
LOAD ERROR :
The tested battery is bigger than 2000CCA or 200AH.
Or the clamps are not connected properly. Please fully
charge the battery and retest after eliminating both
previous potential causes for load error message. If
reading is the same, the battery should be replaced immediately.
*Ask the operator if any accessories have been left on as a possible cause of battery problem. If
response is Yes – charge and retest the battery. If accessories have not been left on, replace the bat-
tery, since the charging system is working and a good battery should have accepted a charge.
At the end of step 11 your Battery only test is complete.
12. If a System Test is also to be performed - Press «ENTER» and Press the s\tkey to
select: System Test or remove the test clamps from the battery posts after completion
of testing batteries to end test and/or start over.
GOOD & PASS
xx.xxV xxxxSAE
GOOD & RECHARGE
xx.xxV xxxxSAE
RECHARGE & RETEST
xx.xxV xxxxSAE
BAD & REPLACE
xx.xxV xxxxSAE
BAD CELL & REPLACE
xx.xxV xxxxSAE
LOAD ERROR

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SYSTEM TEST
1. Press «ENTER» button, you will view the
following screen:
2. Turn off all vehicle accessory loads such as
lights, air conditioning, radio, etc. Before
starting the engine.
3. When the engine is started, one of the three
results will be displayed along with the actual
reading measured.
CRANKING VOLTS NORMAL
The system is showing normal draw. Press
«ENTER» to perform the charging system test.
CRANKING VOLTS LOW
The cranking voltage is below normal limits,
troubleshoot the starter with manufacturers
recommended procedure.
CRANKING VOLTS NOT DETECTED
The cranking voltage is not detected.
4. If the cranking voltage is normal, press
«ENTER» to begin charging system test.
5. Press the «ENTER» key, you will view the
following screen.
6. Press the «ENTER» key, one of the three results will be displayed along with the actual
reading measured.
LOW CHARGING VOLTS WHEN TEST AT IDLE
The alternator is not providing sufficient current to the
battery. Check the belts to ensure the alternator is rotat-
ing with engine running. If the belts are slipping or broken,
replace the belts and retest. Check the connections from the alternator 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 condition, replace the alternator.
CHARGING SYSTEM NORMAL WHEN TEST AT IDLE
The system is showing normal output from the alternator.
No problem is detected.
SYSTEM TEST
xx.xxV
TURN OFF LOADS
START ENGINE
CRANKING VOLTS
xx.xxV NORMAL
CRANKING VOLTS
xx.xxV LOW
CRANKING VOLTS
NOT DETECTED
PRESS ENTER FOR
CHARGING TEST
MAKE SURE ALL
LOADS ARE OFF
ALT. IDLE VOLTS
xx.xxV LOW
ALT. IDLE VOLTS
xx.xxV NORMAL

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HIGH CHARGING VOLTS WHEN TEST AT IDLE
The voltage output from the alternator to the battery ex-
ceeds the normal limits of a functioning regulator. Check
to ensure there is no loose connection and the ground connection is normal. If there is
no connection issue, replace the regulator. Since most alternators have the regulator
built-in, this may require that you replace the alternator.The normal high limit of a typical
automotive regulator is 14.7 volts +/- 0.05. Check manufacturer specifications for the
correct limit, as it will vary by vehicle type and manufacturer.
7. Following the charging system at idle test, press «ENTER»
for the charging system with accessory loads. Turn on the
blower to high (heat), high beam headlights, and rear de-
fogger. NOTE: Do not use cyclical loads such as air conditioning or windshield wipers.
8. When testing older model diesel engines, the users need
to run up the engine to 2500 rpm for 15 seconds. You will
view the screen as shown:
9. Press «ENTER» to look for the amount of AC ripple voltage from the charging system
to the battery. One of two testing results will be displayed along with the actual testing
measured.
RIPPLE DETECTED NORMAL
Diodes are functioning well in the alternator / stator.
EXCESS RIPPLE DETECTED
One or more diodes in the alternator are not functioning
or there is stator damage. Check to ensure the alternator
mounting is sturdy and that the belts are in good shape
and functioning properly. If the mounting and belts are good, replace the alternator.
10. Press the «ENTER» key to continue the charging system with accessory loads. One of
the three results will be displayed along with the actual testing measured.
CHARGING SYSTEM VOLTAGE HIGH WHEN TESTED WITH ACCESSORY LOADS
The voltage output from the alternator to the battery ex-
ceeds the normal limits of a functioning regulator. Check to
ensure there are no loose connections and that the ground
connection is normal. If there are no connection issues, replace the regulator. Since most
alternators have the regulator built-in, this may require that you replace the alternator.
ALT. IDLE VOLTS
xx.xxV HIGH
TURN ON LOADS'
AND PRESS ENTER
RUN ENGINE UP TO
2500 RPM 15 SEC
RIPPLE DETECTED
xx.xxV NORMAL
NO RIPPLE DETECTED
RIPPLE DETECTED
xx.xxV HIGH
ALT. LOAD VOLTS
xx.xxV HIGH
Or

800-580-75548
CHARGING SYSTEM VOLTAGE LOW WHEN TESTING WITH ACCESSORY LOADS
The alternator is not providing sufficient current for the
system’s electrical loads and the charging current for the
battery. Check the belts to ensure the alternator is rotat-
ing with the engine running. If the belts are slipping or broken, replace the belts and re-
test. Check the connections from the alternator 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.
CHARGING SYSTEM VOLTAGE NORMAL WHEN TESTED WITH ACCESSORY LOADS
The system is showing normal output from the alternator.
No problem detected.
11. Press «ENTER» when charging system test is completed. Turn all accessory loads and
engine off. Press «ENTER» to return to step 1 or remove the test clamps from the battery
posts after completion of testing to end test.
GLOSSARY
What is a GEL battery?
A gel battery is a lead-acid electric storage battery that:
•issealedusingspecialpressurevalvesandshouldneverbeopened.
•iscompletelymaintenance-free.
•usesthixotropicgelledelectrolyte.
•usesarecombinationreactiontopreventtheescapeofhydrogenandoxygengases
normally lost in a flooded lead-acid battery (particularly in deep cycle applications).
•isnon-spillableandthereforecanbeoperatedinvirtuallyanyposition.However,
upside-down installation is not recommended.
What is an AGM battery?
An AGM battery is a lead-acid electric storage battery that:
•issealedusingspecialpressurevalvesandshouldneverbeopened.
•iscompletelymaintenance-free.
•hasallofitselectrolyteabsorbedinseparatorsconsistingofasponge-likemassof
matted glass fibers.
•usesarecombinationreactiontopreventtheescapeofhydrogenandoxygengases
normally lost in a flooded lead-acid battery (particularly in deep cycle applications).
• is non-spillable, and therefore can be operated in virtually any position. However,
upside-down installation is not recommended.
ALT. LOAD VOLTS
xx.xxV LOW
ALT. LOAD VOLTS
xx.xxV NORMAL

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What is a VRLA battery?
Valve Regulated Lead Acid Battery – This type of battery is sealed and Maintenance Free. It
uses special pressure valves and should never be opened. The valve(s) open when a preset
pressure is realized inside the battery and lets the excess gas pressure out; the valve then
resets itself. Gel and AGM Batteries are VRLA battery types.
What is a SLI battery?
These initials stand for Starting, Lighting and Ignition, which are the three basic functions
which a battery has to perform on all normal vehicles. Batteries given this description will
have been specifically designed for service on cars and trucks within a voltage controlled
electrical system. Those SLI batteries which are intended for heavy haulage vehicles fit-
ted with large diesel motors may often be called COMMERCIAL batteries. They have to be
much more powerful and more robust than batteries intended for cars.
What is STATE OF HEALTH?
It means how much battery capacity is left (%) comparing with the marked original battery
capacity.
What is STATE OF CHARGE?
It a measurement of voltage currently in the battery. Usually stated as a percent of full
charge.
What is CCA (COLD CRANKING AMPS)?
This is the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) measurement that should be entered
into the battery tester for test purposes. It is defined as the current in amperes which a
new fully charged battery can deliver for 30 seconds continuously without the terminal
voltage falling below 1.2 volts per cell, after it has been cooled to 0OF and held at that
temperature. This rating reflects the ability of the battery to deliver engine starting cur-
rents under winter conditions.
What is AMPERE-HOUR?
The unit of measurement of electrical capacity. A current of one ampere for one hour im-
plies the delivery or receipt of one ampere-hour of electricity. Current multiplied by time
in hours equals ampere-hours.
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