Dual load tester

• US 20060273783A1
• Filed: 01/11/2006
• Published: 12/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Associated Equipment Corporation (Associated Equipment)
• Original Assignee: Associated Equipment Corporation (Associated Equipment)
• Inventors: Keuss, Steven D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,504,830 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/200
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/006 on road vehicles, e.g. automobiles or trucks testing of ignition installations peculiar to internal combustion engines F02P17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/386 using test-loads

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.

Claims

1. A handheld dual load tester, comprising:

a) a first resistive load;

b) a second resistive load;

c) a switching mechanism to direct electrical voltage to either both the first resistive load and the second resistive load or to one of the first resistive load and the second resistive load;

d) a handheld housing for containing the first resistive load, the second resistive load and the switching mechanism;

e) wherein the first resistive load and the second resistive load have approximately the same resistance values; and

,

f) wherein the resistive loads may be used together or individually to test a battery, charging system, starter motor or other device.

2. The handheld dual load tester according to claim 1, wherein the first resistive load and the second resistive load have resistance values between approximately 0.05 Ohms and approximately 0.25 Ohms.

3. The handheld dual load tester according to claim 1, wherein the first resistive load and the second resistive load have resistance values of approximately 0.1 Ohms.

4. The handheld dual load tester according to claim 1, wherein the first resistive load and the second resistive load are electrically connected in series.

5. The handheld dual load tester according to claim 1, further comprising a housing and electrical leads to attach or connect to the battery, charging system, starter motor or other device to be tested.

6. The handheld dual load tester according to claim 1, wherein the switching mechanism comprises two switches.

7. The handheld dual load tester according to claim 1, wherein the voltage meter comprises a digital voltage meter.

8. The handheld dual load tester according to claim 1, further comprising an optional current protector.

9. The handheld dual load tester according to claim 1, further comprising a voltage meter electrically connected to measure the voltage across the resistive loads.

10. The handheld dual load tester according to claim 1, wherein the first resistive load and the second resistive load are layered.

11. A method for testing a device using a handheld dual load tester comprising:

a) selecting a device from one of a battery, charging system, or starter motor;

b) 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;

c) actuating a switching mechanism on the handheld tester;

d) directing an electrical current to either;

both the first resistive load and the second resistive load, or to one of the first resistive load and the second resistive load; and

,

e) measuring the voltage across the two resistive loads.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first resistive load and the second resistive load are layered.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein a 12-volt battery is tested or a 24-volt battery is tested.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein a 12-volt charging system is tested or a 24-volt charging system is tested.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein a 12-volt starter motor is tested or a 24-volt starter motor is tested.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

a) directing an electrical current to either;

both the first resistive load and the second resistive load that are wired in series, or to one of the first resistive load and the second resistive load.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

a) repeating the above steps with a second device of a different voltage or current rating than the first device.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

a) electrically connecting the electrical leads to the terminals of a first device to be tested;

b) actuating the switching mechanism;

c) measuring the voltage across the resistive loads;

d) if the measured voltage is greater than approximately 13.2 volts and less than or equal to approximately 16.0 volts, or greater than approximately 26.4 volts executing a charging system test,

e) if the measured voltage is greater than approximately 16.0 volts and less than or equal to approximately 26.4 volts, or less than approximately 13.2 volts executing a battery or starter motor test;

f) repeating the above steps with a second device of a different voltage rating than the first device.

19. The method of claim 11, comprising:

a) electrically connecting the electrical leads to the terminals of a charging system;

b) waiting four seconds after connecting the electrical leads to the charging system;

c) measuring the voltage across the resistive loads;

d) if the measured voltage is greater than approximately 13.8 volts and less than approximately 15.2 volts, or greater than approximately 27.6 volts and less than approximately 30.4 volts the digital voltage meter may display an alphanumeric message indicating that the device passed the test;

e) if the measured voltage is greater than approximately 13.2 volts and less than approximately 13.7 volts, or greater than approximately 26.4 volts and less than approximately 27.6 volts the digital voltage meter may display an alphanumeric message indicating that the device has failed the test or is low;

f) if the measured voltage is greater than approximately 15.2 volts and less than approximately 27.6 volts, or greater than approximately 30.4 volts, the digital voltage meter may display an alphanumeric message indicating that the device has failed the test or is high.

20. A hand held battery tester, comprising:

a) a first resistive load;

b) a second resistive load;

c) a switching mechanism to direct electrical current to either both the first resistive load and the second resistive load or to one of the first resistive load and the second resistive load;

d) wherein the tester is handheld during use;

e) wherein the first resistive load and the second resistive load have approximately the same resistance values; and

,

f) wherein the resistive loads may be used together by actuating the switching mechanism to test a 24-volt battery or individually by actuating the switching mechanism to test a 12-volt battery.

21. The hand held battery tester according to claim 20, wherein the first resistive load and the second resistive load are layered.

22. The hand held battery tester according to claim 20, wherein a housing contains the two resistive loads in an interior of the housing, wherein an exterior of the housing includes an electrical meter that is electrical connection with the two resistive loads, wherein a heat shield is placed between the resistive loads and the volt meter.

23. The hand held battery tester according to claim 20, wherein the switching mechanism comprises a first switch and a second switch, whereby a 12 volt battery may be tested by actuating the first switch and whereby a 24 volt battery may be tested by actuating the first switch and the second switch.

24. The hand held battery test according to claim 23, wherein actuating the first switch directs an electrical current to the first resistive load and actuating the first switch and the second switch directs the electrical current to both the first resistive load and the second resistive load.