Amprobe just came out with the BAT-250, a new inexpensive and quick-to-use battery tester. It can test standard and rechargeable batteries in AA, AAA, C, D, 9V, and 1.5V button sizes. There’s an easy-read color-coded indicator that gives you an instant readout as to whether a battery is still good or not.
The BAT-250 looks to replace the BAT-200, which has been out for a while and widely and positively reviewed on Amazon.
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Battery testers like this aren’t very sophisticated, but can be quicker and easier to read than having to pull out a multimeter. Have you ever tried to check the voltage of a common AA/AAA/C/D cell battery with regular multimeter test leads? It’s not terribly difficult to do so, but can at times be a real test of patience.
The Amprobe battery tester doesn’t require any batteries, other than the one that’s being actively tested of course, and is always ready for use.
To use the tester, simply slide down the lower contact to fit AA, AAA, C, or D-sized batteries. 9V and button cell batteries are tested at the top of the tool.
I wish I could say that Bluetooth connectivity and smartphone reporting are also included as new-for-2015 features, but they’re not. Sometimes all you need is a simple analog tester, and that’s what you get.
The price is $7.95, and right now Amazon offers a $1 “clip coupon & save” discount which brings the price down to around $7.
Buy Now(via Amazon)
More Info(via Amprobe)
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Dave L.
This is a real good idea to have; a VOM won’t give you a reading under load, so it won’t really tell you much.
SawdustTX
Do you know if it checks under load, or just standing voltage? I’ve had issues with an old tester, that apparently just checks standing voltage under a small resistance (load), which can indicate a battery as “good”, when the battery is actually unable to power anything. Especially with rechargeable batts which have a sudden/steep dropoff, you can be very close to dead, but still show a good standing voltage. If this tester accurately shows the battery condition under load, it’s a steal at that price point!.
Benjamen
Here’s the datasheet: http://content.amprobe.com/DataSheets/6004097A_BAT-250_DataSheet_w.pdf
I Max at F.S.D (typical) 1.5 V: 375 mA, 9 V: 40 mA
Normal load (typical) 1.5 V: 4 Ω, 9 V: 215 Ω
It’s pretty cool that this measures 1.5V coin cells too. It’d be nice if it measured 3V lithium coin cells.
rshadd
Does the BAT-250 offer any new features over the BAT-200? This seems like it is merely just a cosmetic update. I have the BAT-200 and find it quite handy.
Stuart
Looks to be a change in form factor to me. Batteries are not inserted right side up, with positive in the “up” orientation, and with a V-groove to help keep batteries aligned and retained with less effort.
Dave L.
Radio Shack makes one too, but I think THIS one’s actually cheaper. With all the battery powered stuff we own, one of these is near indispensable.