Battery Load Tester--ever use?

[rc51ny]

So the battery in my bike will be going on 4 years old this next season. I've never had a problem with it and I keep it on a battery tender during the winter months. I just want to make sure it's up to par when the riding season starts this next spring. So, I'm thinking about getting this load tester to make sure it's still good. Just wondering if anyone's used this and if it's any good? BTW-it's from Harbor Freight. Thanks for the info!

 

[kromdom]

No experience with that particular unit. But if/when I need to do so, I take my battery to a local auto parts store and get it load-tested for free.

 

[dadofthree]

If it's cheap and you want it go for it, otherwise just grip it and rip it until your sixth season and you get that weak crank. Then take it to auto zone or pep boyz and get it load tested for free.

 

[lankeeyankee]

I wouldnt let NO one at Autozone or pepboys any where near my Busa let alone test a battery.
Nothing is free, time to drive to the store etc. wait in store for a DA to come out, etc.

If the load tester is cheap in your eyes, buy it. IMO its a tool that isnt used often, but its another
tool to hang in the garage and we all know you can never have to many tools :-)

Just a word of advice with batteries. Load testing is good, but with todays batteries
they sometimes get enternal shorts with the plates and you cant see that coming
with all the load testers and digital multi meters.

 

[sixpack577]

I wouldnt let NO one at Autozone or pepboys any where near my Busa let alone test a battery.
Nothing is free, time to drive to the store etc. wait in store for a DA to come out, etc.

If the load tester is cheap in your eyes, buy it. IMO its a tool that isnt used often, but its another
tool to hang in the garage and we all know you can never have to many tools :-)

Just a word of advice with batteries. Load testing is good, but with todays batteries
they sometimes get enternal shorts with the plates and you cant see that coming
with all the load testers and digital multi meters.

Yep, it's a better tool for diagnosing a possible problem than checking just for peace of mind. As a good battery today can be dead tommorrow

 

[rc51ny]

Thanks guys for your comments. This load tester is only about $25 at Harbor Freight. Hell, I waste more money than that on a weekend!!! LOL I think I'm gonna get it and give it a try. Yea, probably won't use it much, but some of my other riding buddies might use it too.

 

[lovelessjl]

I haven't used that one in particular, but I have used a similar one. they come in handy. If you start getting a weak battery, you can start the vehicle (car, truck, bike, whatever) and check that the charging system is putting out the right amount of voltage also. so it's kind of a 2fer.