Using this, how do I know when my battery is too low to start the car?
623824
Usually, if your battery is lower than 10V that you need to countact your automobile dealer. Thanks
623825
It should read 12 turned off and 14 on. Any lower or higher something is wrong with your batt or alternator
623826
Generally speaking, if the voltage (after the car's been sitting for a while) is above 12.2, you should be able to crank the engine. A good battery, fully charged will be at 12.6 (again, engine off, having sat for an hour or so).Do a search for "battery state of charge."
623827
It depends on the condition of the battery. An OLD battery could read 12 volts, but the voltage may drop way down when trying to start. A good battery might start a car with only 10 volts
640895
Plug something in while the car is running. Look for the light on whatever it is that you've plugged in that tells you it is being charged. Turn off the car and remove key. Is the light still on?
1356004
I have the same problem because of something in the electrical system drains my battery. I don't drive much anymore and if the car was left not driven for four or five days the battery was dead, very aggravating. This Battery Tender has been working very well for me, I'm an older women that knows nothing about cars. I can say this, it is very easy to use, I highly recommend it. I've had it for about three months and am very satisfied. Hope this helps you.
1488703
I guess if you know what to look for, you can try it. If your car battery is only showing 12 volts on any test device, it's probably not going to start your car. When I worked on my own vehicles and built hot rods, we always wanted between 13.5 and 14.4 volts for a full charge indication, with the engine not running. Car batteries have to pull a heavy load when starting a cold engine. That's why the "cold cranking amps" are shown on the sales shelf. If you really need to know about your car battery, I would not fool with this tester as a serious tool. I would be willing to bet, the 12 volt battery they mean on the test setting is your car alarm remote or wireless doorbell battery in the button module. I guess if you know what to look for, you can try it. If your car battery is only showing 12 volts on any test device, it's probably not going to start your car. When I worked on my own vehicles and built hot rods, we always wanted between 13.5 and 14.4 volts for a full charge indication, with the engine not running. Car batteries have to pull a heavy load when starting a cold engine. That's why the "cold cranking amps" are shown on the sales shelf. If you really need to know about your car battery, I would not fool with this tester as a serious tool. I would be willing to bet,... » Read More I guess if you know what to look for, you can try it. If your car battery is only showing 12 volts on any test device, it's probably not going to start your car. When I worked on my own vehicles and built hot rods, we always wanted between 13.5 and 14.4 volts for a full charge indication, with the engine not running. Car batteries have to pull a heavy load when starting a cold engine. That's why the "cold cranking amps" are shown on the sales shelf. If you really need to know about your car battery, I would not fool with this tester as a serious tool. I would be willing to bet, the 12 volt battery they mean on the test setting is your car alarm remote or wireless doorbell battery in the button module. « Show Less
1579298
Many OEMs of these don't recommend changing the battery (for liability reasons), yet there are batteries available (and places like batteryspec.com have a search set-up based on brands of these "jump-start" packages where they'll tell you what fits). They are typically AGM sealed batteries and "deep-cycle" since running the inverter or such for a long time is putting it thru a "deep-cycle" of draining, then recharging. Before ordering a new battery, I'd do some tests on the existing one. With it plugged in for charging I'd check the battery voltage (on the jumper cable clamps with them turned on). You should see at least 13.5V or ~14V is better to hint that it is full (but you don't want to see 15V or higher). If it's less than that, it's not really charged and maybe the charger isn't working (which would make me try charging it by another way including from the car before further testing). Once it is charged, then I'd unplug the charger and see what the voltage is, it should drop to ~13V, but not below ~12.7. If the voltage is low, I'd try charging again, but if it instantly shows 14V while charging (and I'd given it at least an hour charge time before) then I'd stop charging and proceed with the test. Next I'd try running something off the battery like a work light (that can run off the inverter or 12V). The battery should drop to ~12.5V instantly while running the light and if you keep it going it should slowly drop like after 5 minutes down to 12.4V, after another 5 minutes 12.3V, etc. If running the light drops the voltage to 12.25V or less instantly and after 5 minutes drops to 12.0V or less, that hints a bad battery. That should tell you if it's really the battery or perhaps other issues (like charging).
123598
Generally... NO! If the battery has some charge left in it, the fifty additional amps may be enough to start the car. If the battery is totally dead, you will need to charge the battery for a while. Don't forget that the "cranking" current is several times 50 amps, hence the availability of the chargers on wheels that can supply this kind of current. Dave
478723
Hi, if it is due to a defect in the seat sensor, then it will solve the problem. you may need to reset the code. with some cars it will reset itself when taking the battery of for 15 min
1809348
There should be a button to turn it on otherwise you might have to charge it first before use. There is a computer program that you can DL to make the experience much better because it gives you extra information about your car.
758680
Yes, you could check if the alternator is not charging, or if it is overcharging. Above 15 volts it's consider overcharging.
508361
Do the folowing:1. Reseat your battery. (Make sure it locks into place. 2. Make sure your battery has a charge with a voltmeter. (Any auto parts or engine repair shop would able to do this if you don't have one.) Should read 24-26 Volts DC if charged but will still read the same until almost completely dead so if possible put a load on it when checking. 3. Make sure your charger is working.4. I'ts a simple 24 Volt electric motor so if the battery is good and is charged, it's either a connection that has come loose or the switch on the handle is bad. Take it in for warranty repair. Do the folowing:1. Reseat your battery. (Make sure it locks into place. 2. Make sure your battery has a charge with a voltmeter. (Any auto parts or engine repair shop would able to do this if you don't have one.) Should read 24-26 Volts DC if charged but will still read the same until almost completely dead so if possible put a load on it when checking. 3. Make sure your charger is working.4. I'ts a simple 24 Volt electric motor so if the battery is good and is charged, it's either a connection that has come loose or the switch on the handle is bad. Take it in for... » Read More Do the folowing:1. Reseat your battery. (Make sure it locks into place. 2. Make sure your battery has a charge with a voltmeter. (Any auto parts or engine repair shop would able to do this if you don't have one.) Should read 24-26 Volts DC if charged but will still read the same until almost completely dead so if possible put a load on it when checking. 3. Make sure your charger is working.4. I'ts a simple 24 Volt electric motor so if the battery is good and is charged, it's either a connection that has come loose or the switch on the handle is bad. Take it in for warranty repair. « Show Less
375112
Probably YES. It sounds like a defective item. Mine starts up whenever the power is turned on (the car is turned on) without any switch pushing or whatever.
2073532
If you mean the scanner, it is powered from your car battery when you plug it into the OBD port. If it is not turning on, it is not getting power from the port or it has failed. You can try it on another car to see which.
879027
No, you need something specifically designed for that. Look under car starting battery or charger
1069733
If it doesn't burn your car up first. mine melted down and burned up the truck wiring. Your battery should be charging if the car is on. Sounds like an alternator issue
103022
Plug it in and find out. The worse that can happen is it chargers the battery! ! Drive around see if shows you traffic updates. Check and. See if is offered as an accessory. Bob
2097866
My battery is dead as well. I think it's under the housing & not accessible by a non mechanic. Luckily mine is a pull start as well.
1860425
We had a power fault that disrupted a number of electronic gadgets. Remove battery, unplug charger for 30 seconds. Upon battery insertion you should have two solid red indicators (no blinking red). If all is okay in 3-4 hours a proper charge yields solid red and green. Remove bat and push green test button, this should yield four green indicators. If not go to plan "B". Cheers, Dennis