OTC 3180 100 Amp Battery Load Tester Black

Good item to own for battery test and alternator tests also very useful tool, good value, easy to read display,nice design,easy to use, accuracy is in reference to volts

I've seen these around for years and when a shop would check my car battery, they would use one almost exactly like this model. I figured, if it was good enough to be used by a repair shop, it would be good enough for me. Worked flawlessly and as advertised. Clamped the leads to the battery posts, flicked the switch and it indicated that the battery had to be replaced on my sump pump battery backup system. Saved me a lot of time not having to check the Wayne backup system components. Now I have to get another battery and I'm good to go. It's a tool that you may rarely use, but if you have one, it pays for itself in allowing you to diagnose your battery and charging system without going to a shop or risking getting stuck in the middle of nowhere with a dead battery. Just be careful, follow instructions and always wear safety goggles when working around any lead/acid batteries.

I cannot speak to durability, but it does its job and has been accurate

Actually not that bad for a Chinese piece of garbage. It's sturdy, nice chrome finish, acceptable quality clamps.Use a volt meter to calibrate the meter on the tester using the meter "zeroing" adjustment. I calibrated it to be most accurate between 6v and 12v .... hook it up to a battery, read the battery with a decent volt meter, adjust the meter on this tester to read the same value.One note, the tester meter seems reluctant to operate when it's 50 degrees or below, after it warmed up from using the load coil it worked fine ... but if it's cold when you first hook it up to a battery it might read very low or even zero.

I have used this type of battery tester for years, mine disappeared some time ago, so this was a replacement for it.I got so tired of taking batteries to the parts house/store to have them check them for me. I have looked to buy another for some time but at the parts house/store they are way to expencive. I decided to take a look on Amazon and as soon as i found this one I bought it due to it is OTC brand, a brand that I trust and exactualy like the one that I used to have and that is was half the cost shipped then at any local store, including Harbor Freight, which by the way told me (local store) they do not carry them even though they show them on there website...If you are looking to own a battery tester that will last dang near forever, but this one. I used one just like this one for years in an auto repair business....Buy it and never look back, well unless zombies are chasing you.

If you quickly want to know if a battery is good or not, this is a great tool to have in your inventory, and not expensive. It's not super-accurate, but when you're looking for a simple "Yes or No,", it's fine.ProTip: DO NOT LEAVE IT ON FOR MORE THAN THE RECOMMENDED TIME PRINTED ON THE DEVICE. I think it's 15-seconds but even that is a long time. You're essentially holding a really hot toaster. A quick on-read the display-off will suffice.

Someone wrote in these reviews that this is the same one as Harbor Freight. It is not. I have a Harbor Freight one. It was showing all batteries that I tested to be weak. After comparing the voltage reading on my Harbor Freight unit with a digital voltmeter I determined it to be inaccurate. I ordered this OTC unit. It is heavier, the metal is thicker, the resistance coils are of a totally different design, and it is dead-on accurate according to my digital voltmeter. If you purchase this unit you will not be disappointed. It is made in China but it is nothing like the Harbor Freight unit.

The device is well built. It measure's both resting current (with motor cold overnight) and cold cranking amps test which lets you know if the battery will turn over the motor on cold mornings. Simple and straightforward to use. The only complaint, the leads to the battery could be 5-6 inches longer.