Battery dead or alive?

[Ti Kan]

Tom Nas writes:
> I've got a battery on the slow charger and I think it's dead. Can I
> determine that by measuring Amperage across the posts, or do I have to
> mount it in the car to check it?

You measure the *voltage* across the battery posts, not amperage.
It should be at least 12 volts.  However, that is not the whole story.
The battery has to be able to maintain most of that voltage under load
(i.e., when cranking the starter).  Without a proper load device that draws
current from the battery you can only do a home brew load test with
the battery in the car, have someone crank the starter while you
measure the voltage.

-Ti
01 S4 2.7 biturbo quattro
84 5000S 2.1 turbo
80 4000 2.0
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