ADM-870 05/23/0847
APPENDIX C - BATTERY TEST PROCEDURE
Insufficient battery charge (entire set or individual cells) can cause the meter to display garbled messages or
"TOO HOT", "TOO COLD", "RECHARGE" or other messages. This garbled display usually is seen when the
meter is just turned on and the supply voltage drops so fast that the meter gets lost. The following tests should
be performed before you call or return the meter.
1. Check the battery charger transformer. The output should be 24 to 30 volts AC with 115 volt, single phase
input. Be sure the charger is plugged into a live outlet.
2. Does the meter function properly while the charger is attached and plugged-in? If so, a bad battery cell
is likely. Allow ten minutes for minimum charging to take effect before testing meter function.
3. Place the meter face down with the air connectors turned away from you. Remove the battery
compartment cover by unscrewing the (8) small phillips head screws. Check the battery clips. Remove
the batteries and respring the clips to provide proper contact pressure with the ends of the batteries.
Be sure to reinstall the batteries in the proper orientation as shown in the compartment. Turn the meter
on to see if the problem display still exists. If the problem persists, test the positive (+) and negative (-)
charging circuits as follows:
a. Measure the DC voltage of the upper half (positive)(+) (6 cells) of the battery set by placing your DC
voltmeter common (ground) probe at the left center battery clip and the other probe at the upper right
corner battery clip. The voltage should be between 6.6 volts and 7.8 volts DC.
This voltage should rise when the charger is plugged in and should fall when the charger is
unplugged.
b. If the voltage does not rise and fall with the changes in charger input, then the charging circuit in the
meter is not working. The meter must be returned to the factory for repair.
c. Test the lower (negative)(-) half of the battery set in the same manner described above by placing the
voltmeter probes at the left center battery clip and at the lower right corner battery clip.
4. Check each battery cell voltage with the charger unplugged and with the meter turned on (if it will stay
turned on).
Each cell should have a voltage of 1.1 to 1.3 volts. If you find one or two very low cells, they may be weak
cells and may need to be replaced. If most of the cells are less than 1.1 volts, it is possible that all are
near the end of the discharge cycle and just need to be recharged.
5. Replace weak or low capacity battery cells with rechargeable cells of the same capacity (milliamphr) as
the existing cells. If the same capacity cells are not available, replace all 12 cells with new batteries. See
"Operating Instructions" manual section titled METER MAINTENANCE.
6. If the problem is not corrected through these procedures, please return the meter to our factory for repair
and calibration services.
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