How to test aa batteries without a tester

Product Description

Home Diagnosis
Don’t waste time battery swapping when a device fails. With this instant-read tester, you’ll know if your batteries are the problem right away. The sturdy, compact device requires no batteries of its own to operate, so it’s always ready to perform. The simple, color-coded analog display needle is easy to read, so you’ll have no need to dig out the operating manual to translate the results.

Battery Testing Tips
You can test rechargeable batteries or standard alkaline with the BT-168 battery tester. Be aware that rechargeable batteries are a little lower voltage (1.2V) even fully charged compared to alkaline batteries (1.5V). They’ll operate well even when reading yellow or on the low end of green. When testing, always make sure the negative terminal is positioned near the T-arm on the device. Button batteries will indicate the negative end.

Specifications
Universal Battery Tester For 9V 1.5V And Button Cell AAA AA C D Description 100% New Double easy-to-read color-coded scales indicate power level. Can quickly test the capacity of your battery. Compact size and light weight. Test multiple sizes of batteries in one unit. Perfect companion for travel. One movable arm to accommodate the battery. Two buttons on the side for testing 9 volt batteries. size: 10.8 x 4 x 2.5 cm. Test Multiple Sizes: 9V:PP3, MN1604, 6F22, 006P 1.5V:AAA, HP16, MN2400, R03 AA, HP7, MN1500, UM3 C, HP11, MN1400, SP11, LR14, UM2 D, HP2, MN1300, SP2, R20,UM1 and all kinds of button cells.


We all have batteries lying around the house, sometimes they appear in random places, on a countertop, under a couch cushion, or in a kitchen junk drawer (surely there’s SOME life left to it, right? I mean, why else would someone have thrown it in there??). Here is a simple test that you can do yourself to test if your battery still has some life left to it . . .

This works on the following size batteries: A, AA, AAA, C, D

Stand the battery up on the negative end (the flat end).

Pick it up about 3/4 of an inch off a solid flat surface.

Drop it. If it lands with a small thud back on the flat end and stays in place, the battery still has a charge.

If it bounces and then falls over, the battery is dead.

Still unsure of what it’s supposed to look like? Here’s a Video that will show you:

Budget101.com How to Test Batteries at Home in 3 Seconds flat WITHOUT a Multimeter

(Please note, the Dead battery in the video did have a “charge” of .71 (less than the amount needed to power a mini flashlight and was indeed, dead.)

When Discarding a battery, place a small piece of tape over each end to help prevent possible fire.

9 Volt batteries can be tested by wetting your finger and laying it across the top of both posts (positive and negative) if you get a Tingle- it’s LIVE. If you don’t feel anything, it’s dead. Please note, the “Tingle” can be pretty strong and shouldn’t be attempted by those with heart conditions or pacemakers. (That’s my disclaimer right there!)

Never store a 9 volt battery in a junk drawer where it can come into contact with a metal object such as a paper clip, steel wool, etc as this can cause items to ignite and create a fire in your home.
If you don’t believe me, put a 9 volt battery in your pants pocket with some loose change and you’ll feel the heat in short order… we could even call you Hot Pants! Always dispose of batteries by placing electrical tape over the tops of the positive and negative posts.


Photo by Canstockphoto
Scanrail

Introduction: How to Check AA/AAA Alkaline Battery Using a Voltmeter

We all run into a situation when batteries in our remotes, toys, keyboards/mice run out. If we don't know how to check a battery we might throw out a perfectly fine battery (especially when we have a pile of them somewhere in the drawer).

This electronics tip has to deal with checking common alkaline AA/AAA batteries or AA/AAA rechargeable batteries for proper voltage with a voltmeter.

Disclaimer : some people might say that a battery should always be tested under load but I have found that in most common household applications this is insignificant and will not change the results of the testing too much.

Things that you will need :
+ Voltmeter
+ Alkaline battery

Basic facts : 
The proper voltage for AA/AAA alkaline battery is 1.5V
The proper voltage for AA/AAA NiCd/NiMh rechargeable battery is 1.25 Volts

To test the battery, turn on your voltmeter, put the voltmeter on DCV and make sure that it is far above the battery voltage, on most voltmeters there is a setting "20" in the DCV area, so switch your voltmeter to that setting.

With the battery in front of you, put the red probe to battery's nipple (+) and the black probe to the battery's flat side (-). Notice the voltage reading on the voltmeter.

If the reading is more than 1.3V for alkaline battery (not rechargeable battery) then the battery still has some juice left in it, don't throw it away. Otherwise, properly discard of the battery.

Tip : do not use old and new batteries in the same device at the same time. Try to use batteries that have same amount of energy stored in them.

Another tip: I sort my batteries according to Voltages, 1.35+ Good, 1.2V-1.3V Ok (but almost out), 1V-1.2V Discard.

I will attach some pictures of measurements in action.

Instructions on how to use a multimeter are out of scope of this Instructable, you can find some information here: //www.ladyada.net/learn/multimeter/

5 People Made This Project!

Recommendations

How can I test my AA batteries at home?

Take a AA battery, hold it over a hard surface (one that you won't worry about scratching) about 2″ up, and drop the negative flat side unto the surface. One of two things will happen: The battery will “thud” on the surface and might even stay standing up. OR the battery will “bounce” and fall over.

How can I test my battery without a tool?

Perform a load test. Leave them in the "ON" position for 10-15 minutes. After that time passes, start your car. Watch the brightness of your headlights. If your headlights dim noticeably as the engine turns over, your battery doesn't pass the load test.

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