How do I use my Analog Multimeter to test batteries?

[Bassist4Life]

I have this analog multimeter


GMT-12A

There is a section at the bottom of the display that says "Good" & "Replace" for checking batteries.

Is that just for checking the unit's internal battery or can I check batteries I have laying around the house?

Also, where would I set the dial to test batteries?

Joe

[theshadow2001]

If you want to test things like 9 volt and 1.5 volt batteries you stick a probe on either terminal and set it to the lowest number on the DC side, which I think is ten but I can't really make it out from the picture

Edit:
On seeing another picture of it (I'm not sure if it's the same as the one above there seems to be a 9V 1.5V option on the dial). 9V for the square batteries like those in your bass or pedals and 1.5V for the round ones that are typically used in remote controls for your TV. Switch it to the correct option and the Red and green scale on the bottom should tell you how much juice is left in it.

http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/(pk...mage=33282.jpg

[Bassist4Life]

Thanks for your post. I appreciate your input. Unfortunately, my meter doesn't have the 9v & 1.5 volt option. Maybe mine isn't intended to test batteries.

[theshadow2001]

Originally Posted by Bassist4Life

Thanks for your post. I appreciate your input. Unfortunately, my meter doesn't have the 9v & 1.5 volt option. Maybe mine isn't intended to test batteries.

Any voltmeter is capable of testing batteries

Basically you just need to read the voltage. So all you have to do is find the right setting. Which is going to be VDC (DC voltage) and then find a number thats closest to the voltage of the battery that your trying to measure. Note that it has to be the closest Voltage value thats above the the value of the battery.

So for 9V battery it will usually be Vdc 10 or Vdc 20

Also there might be an mV or millivolts setting this is thousandths of a volt so 100mV is the same as 0.1V You wont use this setting to test a battery but just to try and remove any confusion about it.

[seventhson]

bro, you put the black lead in the negative terminal at the bottom left, then you plug the right cable in the other hole. Then dial the knob to the voltage section for 10V. All that is saying is that the scale is 10V...it will measure anything from 0 to 10V. So that would be perfect for measuring 9V charge.

To repeat, x V means that it will measure anything from 0 to x Volts.

[theshadow2001]

If all else fails just get a fresh battery keep messing with the settings and looking at the different scales. Eventually you'll come across the right setting and the right scale which indicates the correct voltage of the battery