Checking Battery Voltage- Introduction, Multimeter, and Reading

Batteries bring a lot of convenience to our life by making it possible to carry portable power along with us almost everywhere. From vehicles to the watches on our hands, everything has a battery for one or more purposes. All of this portability is only possible because of the batteries.

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However, while the batteries bring convenience, they can bring a lot of frustration as well but only in that case where they are not well maintained. We warily get used to the convenience and when something bad happens the moment becomes very frustrating for us. One of such bad things includes batteries losing their voltage and here is how you can keep track of battery voltage drop.

Checking Battery Voltage Drop

Speaking of the battery voltage drop, the first thing that you need to know is there the actual meaning of battery voltage drop. Most of the time people consider it as the regular drop in the voltage of the battery that comes with usage or aging. However, it is not the case as the battery voltage drop is something more critical about the health and performance of the battery.

When the battery is connected with some circuit there is some resistance in that circuit while it is functional. So, that makes the voltage of the battery get low. If there is a minimum, then things are normal and completely okay. However, in some cases, the resistance of the circuit gets excessively high which leads to a high amperage current discharge from the battery.

Due to this, the battery voltage drops very quickly when the circuit is operating. Some major and most common causes of this happening are mentioned below which can help you in checking the battery voltage drop in your case.

Faulty Circuit Components

One very common cause of the battery voltage drop that is necessary when checking battery voltage drop is a faulty component. Sometimes there is a short circuit component or a faulty component that makes the battery drain very quickly.

Bad Connections

In other cases, the bad and loose connections or corroded terminals cause battery voltage drop when Cricut is on.

So, if you feel like the battery is losing its charge very quickly or at least quicker than usual then you need to check if anything is causing a battery voltage drop.

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Checking Battery Coltage With a Multimeter

Checking the battery voltage with a multimeter is not an issue. You can do this with any kind of multimeter that supports the battery type. So, here is the step-by-step process of getting things done.

Preparing Things

The first thing you need to do is to do a little preparation. You need to make sure that the wires and probes of the multimeter are installed correctly. Moreover, you need to make sure that the battery terminals are clear for creating a good connection with the multimeter probes. If the terminals have corrosion, you can easily get that off with a metal brush.

Checking the Voltage

Once the preparation is done you can connect the probes of the multimeter with the battery terminals. If you are measuring the battery voltage, then there is no need to start the car or the power source. However, if you are checking the battery voltage drop then the circuit needs to be functioning.

Here you can take at least 5 to 10 readings with little intervals between each reading to get the most accurate result.

Preparing the Final Readings and the Result

The last thing you need to do while making the measurements is to calculate the respective results. In the case of simple battery voltage measurements, you can simply take the average and that will be your final result. In the case of battery voltage drop, you need to make sure to be a little careful.

If there is a voltage drop of more than 0.4 volts then there is a battery voltage drop, otherwise, things are good. If there is a battery voltage drop then you can also take the average value to find the amount of battery voltage drop.

Checking Battery Voltage Reading

When you are checking the battery voltage with the help of a multimeter or a voltmeter, the results will tell a lot of things. These are usually about the charging of the battery and the health of the battery as well. So, here are some of the readings that you get from a 12-volt car battery and what they tell.

Voltage Reading Above 12.8 Volts

So, you just connected the voltmeter and got a reading from the battery that is above 12.8 volts. The reading might be near 14 volts, and you think that it is amazing. Well, it is not, and it is a common indication that the battery is being overcharged. It is also harmful to the longevity of battery health.

Voltage Reading Between 12.4 Volts and 12.8 Volts

If you are getting a voltage reading between 12.4 volts and 12.8 volts, then it means that the battery is 100% charged. It is one of the best reading ranges to get.

Voltage Reading Between 12.2 Volts and 12.4 Volts

If the voltage reading comes between 12.2 volts and 12.4 violets, then it is an indication that your battery is nearly 75 percent charged. If you are looking to charge the battery in this case, then trickle charging will be the best option.

Voltage Reading Between 12.0 Volts and 12.2 Volts

The battery voltage between this range tells that the battery is holding almost 50 percent of its charge. In this case, it is a good choice to use a regular battery charger.

Voltage Reading Under 12.0 Volts

If the battery voltage is under or equal to 12.0 volts, then it is an indication of an empty battery with 0 percent of charge left. Using a fast charger can be an efficient choice here.

Voltage Reading Near 9 and 10 Volts

This voltage reading tells you that your battery is not in good health, and you soon need to replace it.

Note: All of these readings for a car battery are in the case when the battery is not being charged and the engine and alternator or car are either off or not connected to the battery.

Conclusion

Knowing about the battery you use can keep you safe from a lot of bad things happening to you because of that battery. When you have all the information you can easily maintain the battery in a good way. So, by using the information above you can easily maintain a good and healthy battery for any of your needs.