PROSERIES PST-500 Carbon Load Pile Tester Instruction Manual
- June 13, 2024
- PROSERIES
Table of Contents
Model PST-500
500 Amp Carbon Load Pile Tester
Instruction Manual
PST-500 Carbon Load Pile Tester
WARNING:
This unit is built with a beeper which will alarm during load test after 15
seconds. When you hear the beep, you must read voltage quickly and then turn
off load immediately.
WARNING:
- Working in the vicinity of lead acid and SLI batteries is dangerous. Batteries generate explosive gases during normal battery operation. It is of the utmost importance that each time before using your tester, you read these instructions very carefully.
- 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 vicinity of the battery. Observe cautionary markings on these items.
- Do not expose the tester to rain or snow.
- Do not operate tester with damaged cables-replace them immediately.
- Do not operate tester if it has been damaged in any way. Take it to a qualified auto technician for repair.
- CARBON PILE LOAD IS ‘ON’ TO PREVENT BREAKAGE OF CARBONS DURING SHIPMENT. BE SURE TO TURN LOAD ‘OFF’ BEFORE CONNECTING TESTER TO BATTERY.
PERSONAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:
-
Someone should be within range of your voice or close enough to come to your aid when you work near a battery.
-
Have plenty of fresh water and soap nearby in case battery acid contacts skin, clothing or eyes.
-
Wear safety glasses and clothing protection.
-
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. -
NEVER smoke or allow a spark or flame in vicinity of battery or engine.
-
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.
-
Remove personal metal items such as rings, bracelets, necklaces and watches when working with a battery. It can produce a short circuit current high enough to weld a ring or the like to metal causing a severe burn.
IMPORTANT:
BOTH JAWS OF EACH CLAMP MUST FIRMLY ENGAGE BATTERY TERMINAL OR IT WILL NOT
FUNCTION PROPERLY.
PREPARING TO TEST:
- Be sure area around battery is well ventilated while battery is being tested. Gas can be forcefully blown away by using a piece of cardboard or other non-metallic material as a fan.
- Clean battery terminals. Be careful to keep corrosion from coming in contact with eyes.
- Inspect the battery for cracked or broken case or cover. If so damaged, do not use tester.
- 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.
- Make load tests only on battery above 60°F(16°C).
- If necessary to remove battery from vehicle to test, always remove earth terminal from battery first. Make sure all accessories in the vehicle are off to ensure you do not cause an arc.
1. CALCULATE STATE OF CHARGE
A. Before a battery can be load tested, you MUST determine the state of
charge.
B. The hydrometer is a great tester to show condition of each cell, but on
batteries with non-removable caps the voltmeter is your only choice to
determine state of charge.
C. The specific gravity readings of open vent batteries should not vary more
than 50 points between cells. If the variance is more than 50 points, replace
the battery. The specific gravity should be at least 1.230 in all cells. If
not, charge the battery until 1.230 is obtained. In case the battery is very
low, a longer period of time for charging may be required. After charging,
remove the surface charge from the battery. If charging the battery will not
bring the charge to 1.230 then the battery should be replaced.
D. Maintenance free and sealed batteries have an indicator built into the
battery cover. The color of this indicator verifies the gravity condition of
the battery:
- If the green ball is visible, the battery is charged.
- If the indicator is dark and the green ball is not visible, the battery is partially discharged.
- If the indicator is light yellow, the battery is low on fluid and near the end of its useful life. DO NOT ATTEMPT RECHARGING OR TESTING IF THE INDICATOR IS YELLOW.
E. The battery must have a minimum 75% state of charge before being load
tested. If battery state of charge is below 75%, load test results will NOT be
accurate.
F. It is highly recommended that maintenance free batteries should be tested
with a voltmeter to determine state of charge.
OPEN CIRCUIT VOLTAGE TEST
A. Make sure load knob is in the OFF position.
B. Connect tester (+) Red lead to Battery (+) terminal.
C. Connect tester (-) Black lead to Battery (-) terminal.
D. If voltmeter reading is less than 12.4 volts, battery must be charged and
retested before continuing.
NOTE: If battery voltage is less than 12.4 volts after charging, replace
the battery.
2. REMOVING THE SURFACE CHARGE
A. If your open circuit voltage reading is above 12.6 volts, remove the
surface charge before load testing. Failure to do so will result in inaccurate
test readings.
B. Three possible ways to remove a surface charge:
- Turn headlights (high beam) on for 3 to 5 seconds.
- Disable ignition: crank starter over for 10 to 15 seconds.
- Using a variable carbon pile load tester, load battery for 10 to 15 seconds at 150 amp load. Make sure load knob is in the OFF position before connection is made or removed.
After removing surface charge, let battery stand for 10 minutes to stabilize.
3. CALCULATE THE LOAD
A. Look for either the “Cold Cranking Amps” CCA rating or the “Load Test Amps”
rating on the battery decal.
B. The load test amps rating should be one half (1/2) of the cold cranking
amps rating.
C. If the amp hour rating is provided, load test amps should be 3 times the
hour rating.
D. If the CCA rating and amp hour rating are not available, refer to battery
catalog for recommended CCA rating.
E. Sometimes the rating cannot be located, in that case the engine size may be
used as a guide to determine the battery’s ampere rating. However, it is
recommended to use the manufacturers recommendations, whenever they can be
located.
Engine Size| Cubic Inches| Cu. Centimeter| Battery load Amp
Rating
---|---|---|---
Small| 100 to 200| 1600 to 2400| 100-150 Amps
Medium| 200 to 350| 2400 to 5600| 125-200 Amps
Large| 350 to 500| 5600 to 8000| 175-300 Amps
4. LOAD TEST THE BATTERY
A. The battery must have at least 75% state of charge before load testing.
B. The battery should not have been heavily used or tested within the last 10
minutes.
C. Connect Tester leads to battery (+) and (-) terminals. Read AMPS position.
Make sure load knob is in the OFF position before connecting.
D. Apply a load to the battery equal to 1/2 of CCA rating.
E. Hold load for 15 seconds.
F. Read voltage at the end of the 15 seconds and then turn off load.
G. Compare reading with PASS/FAIL voltage chart on side of tester, or use
chart shown below to compensate for battery temperature.
H. Battery is GOOD if voltage is at or above volt readings shown on
chart.
Battery is BAD if voltage drops below volt readings shown on chart.
WARNING
VARIABLE LOAD CARBON PILE TESTERS PRODUCE HEAT WHEN IN USE. CARE MUST BE TAKEN
TO ALLOW SUFFICIENT TIME TO COOL DOWN BETWEEN TESTS TO AVOID INJURY DUE TO
HEAT BUILD UP.
NOTE: On vehicles with multiple batteries, only one battery at a time
should be tested.
5. TESTING THE CHARGING SYSTEM (ALTERNATOR & REGULATOR TEST)
A. Connect the tester the same as for battery testing.
B. Start the engine and allow it to reach normal operating temperature.
C. Run engine at 1200 to 1500RPM.
CAUTION: Stay clear of moving engine parts. Do not turn on the load
switch.
D. Read the voltmeter. A reading in the red band area indicates a problem in
the charging system that will undercharge a battery; if the meter is beyond
the OK area, the charging system is likely to overcharge the battery.
6. STARTER MOTOR TEST (12 VOLT SYSTEM)
This test identifies excessive starter current draw, which makes starting
difficult and shortens battery life. Perform battery load test-proceed if
battery is GOOD.
ENGINE MUST BE AT NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE FOR THIS TEST
A. Connect negative (black) clamp to the negative (NEG, N, -) battery post.
Connect positive (red) clamp to the positive (POP, P, +) battery post. Rock
clamp back and forth to ensure a good electrical connection.
B. Disable the ignition system so the car will not start.
C. Crank the engine and note the voltage reading during cranking.
D. A meter reading of 9 volts or less indicates excessive current draw. This
may be due to bad connections or a failing starter motor; or the battery is
too small for the vehicle’s requirements.
LIMITED WARRANTY
SCHUMACHER ELECTRIC CORPORATION, 801 BUSINESS CENTER DRIVE, MOUNT PROSPECT, IL
60056-2179, MAKES THIS LIMITED WARRANTY TO THE ORIGINAL PURCHASER AT RETAIL OF
THIS PRODUCT.
THIS WARRANTY IS NOT TRANSFERABLE.
Schumacher Electric Corporation warrants this battery charger for one year
from date of purchase at retail against defective material or workmanship. If
such should occur, the unit will be repaired or replaced at the option of the
manufacturer. It is the obligation of the purchaser to forward the unit
together with proof of purchase, transportation and /or mailing charges
prepaid to the manufacturer or its authorized representative. This limited
warranty is void if the product is misused, subjected to careless handling, or
repaired by anyone other than the factory representative. The manufacturer
makes no warranty other than this limited warranty and expressly excludes any
implied warranty for consequential damages.
This is the only express limited warranty and the manufacturer neither assumes
nor authorizes anyone to assume or make any other obligation towards the
product other than this express limited warranty. The manufacturer makes no
warranty of
merchantability or fitness for purpose of this product and expressly excludes
such from this limited warranty. Some states do not allow the exclusion or
limitation of incidental or consequential damages or length of implied
warranty so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you. This
warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may have other rights which
vary from state to state.
DSR Professional Products
Schumacher Electric Corporation
801 Business Center Drive, Mount Prospect, IL 60056-2179
Send Warranty Product Repairs to:
Schumacher Electric Corporation, Warranty Service Department
1025 East Thompson, Hoopeston, IL 60942-0280
Phone: 1-800-607-3714 (Hours: 7 a.m. –
4:30 p.m. CST)
https://manual-hub.com/
00-99-000767/0107