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here are several techniques in the industry for testing the condition of the batteries in your generators. The first and least accurate is the Open Circuit Voltage test (OCV) which measures the voltage of the battery using a volt meter, although it may read an accurate voltage on the battery, it cannot tell you whether the battery will produce the necessary cranking amps during the next crank cycle. Secondly is the Specific Gravity Test which measures the state of charge of a battery using a hydrometer on each cell of the battery; however it will also not tell you if the battery is capable of producing the required cranking amps during a start sequence. Thirdly is the Load Test which is accomplished using a device that is connected to the battery posts and is activated for 15 seconds placing a resistive load on the battery, this is the best of all three methods since it will confirm the cranking capacity of the battery depending on the size of the tester. There is however a forth and more complete method of checking the state of your batteries on your generators, this involves testing the over crank circuit of the generator by allowing the unit to complete it’s full over crank sequence (usually 3 attempts). This accomplishes several things, first it tests your over crank safety circuit, secondly it tests your batteries condition through 3 complete cranking cycles, and lastly it tests the condition of your starter and starting circuits and wires under the most extreme circumstances, if your battery can hold up to the over crank test then you know it is in good condition. While this is the true test for your starting system you should not abandon the other methods all together, since using all of the methods mentioned here will play a more complete role in determining the state of your battery and starting system condition.
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