Friday, 29 March 2024

REVIEW: Topdon BT100 battery tester can give peace of mind to vehicle owners

Posted On Wednesday, 16 June 2021 17:16 Written by
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The Topdon BT100 is affordable and provides quick and accurate battery testing results. The Topdon BT100 is affordable and provides quick and accurate battery testing results. Photo courtesy of Topdon

Without a properly functioning battery, the vehicles we drive, on land or on the water, can put us in some difficult situations. The best way to avoid these concerns, in addition to proper overall vehicle maintenance, is to have the tools to test battery life to remove any doubts about their capabilities and lifespan.

For a very reasonable cost, there are products available to the everyday person, whether they are DIY mechanics or just regular vehicle owners, that can help ease they mind and limit worries about being stranded due to battery issues. It’s also not a bad idea to have a tool like this available in your vehicle if you do get stranded, as it can help diagnose your problem, and it is also an affordable option for garage owners who regularly test batteries.

One such tool available is the Topdon BT100 battery tester, which I recently had the opportunity to test. The device allows you to instantly check a battery’s voltage charge, internal resistance and estimated remaining life. Battery status is directly indicated by the LED lights on the tool (marked GOOD, CHARGE, or BAD), and advice is provided on the display if the battery needs to be charged or replaced. To ensure safety for all levels of experience, reverse polarity protection and spark-free protection are featured.

Among the data you will receive about your battery on the 2-inch LCD display are: SOH (State of Health), SOC (State of Charge), Voltage, Current, and Rating.

The BT100 can also run a cranking test to analyze the starting motor function — including cranking voltage and cranking time. To do the charging test, vehicle must be brought up to 2,500 RPM. This test looks at different parts of the charging system, including generator, rectifier, rectifier diode, and more, and provides a charging volt value.

All tests done remain stored in the device, in case you need to compare results later.

In my experience using the BT100, I found the tool to be reliable and accurate for all three tests, and very easy to use. The price is also very reasonable, as it is available for $60 or less.

It’s quite versatile, and works on a wide variety of vehicle battery types, including: cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, RVs, ATVs, boats, yachts, mowers and even golf carts. While most of us won’t own a yacht, all the other compatible vehicles are something we may have in our possession, making this a highly useful tool.

It’s also light, at 9 ounces, and small and portable (5.3 x 3 x 1 inches). Multiple languages are also supported, including English, Russian, Spanish, French, Italian and German. Tests can be done with battery in vehicle, so there is no need to remove, and it can withstand a wide range of temperatures, helpful for cold-weather locations.

Also, if you are considering the purchase of a used car but want to check the battery first, bring the BT100 and run an instant test before committing to the purchase. You could potentially save yourself some headaches.

To learn more about the Topdon BT100, visit: https://www.amazon.com/Car-TOPDON-BT100-100-2000CCA-Automotive/dp/B08973RB5Y

 

Matt M. Myftiu

Matt Myftiu has been a journalist for two decades with a focus on technology, NASCAR and autos.

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