Battery problems are still number one on the list of most common faults, both in EVs and in cars with combustion engines. Because I regularly succumb to the temptation to buy yet another handy measuring instrument, I have been enjoying the benefits of something I bought from a well-known chain store across the Rhine. An Ultimate speed car battery tester. It measures everything and anything, including general state of health (SoH), remaining capacity (SoC), CCA, CA (Cold Cranking Amps) etc. In addition to regular lead-acid batteries also the various AGM types: AGM flat plate, AGM spiral, GEL and EFB. Also a useful cranking test: start the engine and you will see a graph showing how far the voltage drops during start-up. Suitable for motorcycles, passenger cars and trucks: 6 V, 12 V and 24 Volts. Classic cars, modern cars and everything in between.
In action a few days ago, a Hyundai I10 whose Yuasa AGM battery, not yet four years old/young, recently let us down. Now on the monitor, we'll see if it is able to hold its full charge. Only a small discharge current of 30 mA is needed to power the inevitable electronics inside. Fortunately, there was no significant leakage current, as this could have indicated a faulty alternator, for example. So even during prolonged downtime, it should take a few months before this 12 V/50 amp battery is completely empty.
It is gratifying that there seems to be agreement, which has unfortunately become a rare commodity these days. Not between two different continents, but between old and modern measurement methods.
