Testing

Visual inspection alone is not sufficient to determine the overall health of the battery. Both open-circuit voltage and specific gravity readings (for flooded batteries) can give a good indication of the battery’s charge level, age, and health. Routine voltage and gravity checks will not only show the state of charge but also help spot signs of improper care, such as undercharging, overcharging and over-watering in the case of flooded batteries, and possibly even locate a bad or weak battery. The following steps outline how to properly perform routine voltage and specific gravity testing on batteries.