I just got a battery load tester and a hydrometer. I know basically HOW to use it, but I'm curious as to what some of the readings actually MEAN...maybe others might benefit from this as well
Can anyone explain:
1. WHAT exactly does the hydrometer gauge? Is it ratio of acid to water? Why is a low (<1.226) reading bad?
2. WHY, when taking a hydrometer reading, does a cell-to-cell difference of >0.050 mean one cell (and thus the entire battery?) is bad?
3. When doing a load test, WHY does the needle returning QUICKLY to around 12 Volts mean the battery is BAD...but when the needle returns to 12 Volts SLOWLY, the battery may be GOOD, but discharged?
4. WHAT is the best battery test procedure? Load test followed by hydrometer test? Visa versa? Or maybe someting else altogether?
Thanks to those smarter than I
