Checking bad attys with a multimeter.

[ltrainer]

I'm just wondering what your thoughts are on this. Its often said to check attys with a multimeter to see if they are shorting.

This happened to me. My girlfriends daughter ruined two eGo batteries with a bad atty. I got out my multimeter and checked it and it read 2.3 Ωs so I thought maybe it was OK and that the problem was something else. So I put it on another eGo battery and it killed that battery as well.

So is checking attys with a multimeter really a fail safe method? I know nothing is fail safe but the atty did read as OK. What could have been wrong with it?

Thanks.

 

[nerak]

It might have been a problem with the center post alignment. In that case the atty would read out fine, but only when inserted would the problem surface.

 

[proggieus]

it could be that the center post on the atty is compressing the silicone ring in the battery connector and causing a short, it will test fine outside of a battery but as soon as you screw it into a battery it causes a short.

too slow

 

[ltrainer]

I thought that might be the problem. THanks for the feedback. I guess a visual inspection might help in some cases. THe multimeter does eliminate some causes of a shrt but not all.

 

[lostknitter]

I check my attys with a multimeter and so far they have all been fine. What kind of reading or indication would I get if they were not OK?

 

[nerak]

As far as the testing with a multimeter, the attys might not have a reading or they might show a very high number. Atty's with those readings are done, finished, no good to use! You can try cleaning and see if they meter out different. But do not use on your PV if not reading within their range.
If you are use to checking the bottom center post on the attys you will see the spacing of the center ring. You will also be aware of how the center is flush with the outer ring. Any variation in these could produce a short.

I check my attys with a multimeter and so far they have all been fine. What kind of reading or indication would I get if they were not OK?

 

[lostknitter]

Thanks Karen!