Battery Cold Cranking Amps Tester

Cca measurements assure that the battery has sufficient power to crank the engine especially when cold.

Battery cold cranking amps tester. A battery s current capacity ratings are used to measure its readiness to deliver cranking power to the starter motor as well as reserve energy for the electrical system. Switch your battery tester to cca cold cranking amps mode. Specifically it refers to the amps that can be delivered by a 12 volt battery for 30 seconds at 0 f or 18ºc and at the same time maintain a minimum voltage of 7 2 volts. Generally speaking it is easier to start an engine in a warm environment than in a cold one.

Ever since cadillac invented the starter motor in 1912 car mechanics have explored ways to measure cold cranking amps cca. Ba5 digital battery tester the solar ba5 12 volt battery tester features an operating range of 7 15v and the capacity to test batteries rated between 100 1200 cold cranking amps. The cranking amps number will be higher than the cca number because of the warmer temperature but you know what that means to a battery marketer bigger is better. When buying a car battery one of the most critical factors that you need to consider is the cold cranking amps.

Cold cranking amps is a rating applied to car batteries expressing how much electricity flows from them at 0 f. The cold cranking amps or cold cranking rating determines the load or amperage the 12 volt battery can deliver for 30 seconds at 0 f without falling below 7 2 volts. It still holds up to now. Cold cranking amps will tell you the battery s ability to work.

Input your battery s cca rating number into your tester. This is a job for two people where one needs to take control of the ignition while the other checks for fluctuations while the engine is cranked up. How to test the cold cranking amps cca of a car battery. Your battery s cca rating is probably written on its casing.

Test cold cranking amps. The rating refers to the number of amps a 12 volt battery can deliver at 0 f for 30. The higher the cca or cold cranking amps of the cell the best it is for your car or vehicle. Typical cca readings for a car range from 350 to 600a and higher for trucks.

To test the cold cranking amps keep your multimeter connected to the battery terminals and then fire up the ignition of your car. However you should not confuse it with ca or. Cold cranking amps cca cca is a rating used in the battery industry to define a battery s ability to start an engine in cold temperatures. Cca stands for cold cranking amps.