Dual load tester
First Claim
1. A handheld dual load tester for performing a test on a power device, comprising:
- a first electrical lead to connect to a first terminal of the power device;
a second electrical lead to connect to a second terminal of the power device;
a first resistive load;
a second resistive load;
a switching mechanism to direct electrical voltage from first and second terminals of the power device to either both the first resistive load and the second resistive load or to the second resistive load;
an electrical meter configured to;
connect to the first electrical lead and to the second electrical lead to measure a voltage across both the first resistive load and the second resistive load or across the second resistive load via the first and second leads compare the voltage to at least one predefined voltage threshold;
determine a test type to apply to the power device, the test type selected from a group consisting of a battery/staffer test and a charging system test;
apply the battery/starter test when the voltage is below the predefined voltage threshold and apply the charging system test when the voltage is above the predefined voltage threshold;
display a message indicating whether the power device has passed the applied test type;
a handheld housing for containing the first resistive load, the second resistive load, the electrical meter, and the switching mechanism;
wherein the first resistive load and the second resistive load have approximately the same resistance values; and
,wherein the resistive loads may be used together or individually to test a battery, charging system, starter motor or other power device.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The apparatus relates to a dual load tester that is hand held and highly portable. The dual load tester includes two resistive loads, and the two resistive loads may be used in series or one of the resistive loads may be used individually to test batteries, charging systems and starter motors of different voltage and current ratings. The operator of the device may, by closing the appropriate switch, first test a 12-volt battery and then test a 24-volt battery. In a similar manner, the tester may be used to test charging systems and starter motors of different voltage and current ratings. The testing functions of the dual load tester may be automated for testing various devices. The dual load tester includes a first resistive load and a second resistive load. The resistive loads may be used together or individually to test a battery, charging system, starter motor or other device.
66 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A handheld dual load tester for performing a test on a power device, comprising:
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a first electrical lead to connect to a first terminal of the power device; a second electrical lead to connect to a second terminal of the power device; a first resistive load; a second resistive load; a switching mechanism to direct electrical voltage from first and second terminals of the power device to either both the first resistive load and the second resistive load or to the second resistive load; an electrical meter configured to; connect to the first electrical lead and to the second electrical lead to measure a voltage across both the first resistive load and the second resistive load or across the second resistive load via the first and second leads compare the voltage to at least one predefined voltage threshold; determine a test type to apply to the power device, the test type selected from a group consisting of a battery/staffer test and a charging system test; apply the battery/starter test when the voltage is below the predefined voltage threshold and apply the charging system test when the voltage is above the predefined voltage threshold; display a message indicating whether the power device has passed the applied test type; a handheld housing for containing the first resistive load, the second resistive load, the electrical meter, and the switching mechanism; wherein the first resistive load and the second resistive load have approximately the same resistance values; and
,wherein the resistive loads may be used together or individually to test a battery, charging system, starter motor or other power device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for testing a device using a handheld dual load tester comprising:
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selecting a device from one of a battery, charging system, or starter motor; connecting the device to a first resistive load and a second resistive load contained in the handheld tester wherein the first resistive load and the second resistive load have approximately the same resistance values; actuating a switching mechanism on the handheld tester; directing an electrical current to a desired load, the desired load comprising either;
both the first resistive load and the second resistive load, or to one of the first resistive load and the second resistive load;measuring a voltage across the desired load; comparing the voltage to at least one predefined voltage threshold to determine a test type to apply to the power device, the test type selected from a group consisting of a battery/starter test and a charging system test; and automatically applying the battery/starter test when the voltage is below the predefined voltage threshold and automatically applying the charging system test when the voltage is above the predefined voltage threshold. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification