User Manual: AA360, AA1000

PERFORMING A BATTERY TEST

Step 1: Connection

Connect the analyzer clamps to the battery terminals. Connect the red clamp to (+) terminal and the black clamp to (-) terminal. Maximize surface contact between clamp and terminal by rocking the clamp on the terminal to allow the clamp teeth to dig in.

Always connect the clamps directly to the lead of the battery terminals. Connection to a remote post or to vehicle ground will affect the test results. Both jaws of each clamp must make contact with the lead of the battery terminal.
Turn off connected loads or chargers before starting a battery test. Loads or chargers will not effect capacity testing, but will influence the measurement of state of charge and the results of the Cranking Performance Test.

When a battery connection is made, the analyzer will beep and the screen becomes active if the battery voltage is above 4.7V. If the battery voltage is below approximately 4.7V the battery must be charged before testing can continue.

To reset the analyzer for another test, disconnect one clamp from the terminal and reconnect.

Step 2: Set Test Parameters

At the beginning of each test, choose test voltage, rating standard, and rated value of the battery. The tester algorithms use these values to determine Battery Life results and recommendations.

Set Test Voltage

After connecting the tester to the battery, the voltage parameter will be flashing. Use the [>] and [<] buttons to select the correct value (6V or 12V), and press [enter/print] to confirm the selection.

Set Rating Standard

The Argus tester can be used to test ANY 6V or 12V battery, including, WET, MF, GEL, VRLA, AGM, SPIRAL, NiCad, Li. Select from specific pre-programmed rating standards for all WET, MF, and GEL automotive starting batteries. For all other batteries and other battery rating systems, select the Ω rating standard (AA1000 only.)

After choosing the test voltage, the rating standard parameter will be flashing. Use the [>] or [<] buttons to select the appropriate standard (CA, CCA, EN, EN2, DIN, Ω). Press [enter/print] to confirm the selection .

A battery’s rating standard is printed on the battery, for example ‘530 CCA’ or ‘EN300A’. Refer to the table below help you select the most appropriate standard.

Application	Type	Select Rating Standard
Automotive, Marine Starting or Dual Purpose	WET, Flooded, Maintenance Free, GEL	CCA, CA, EN, EN2, DIN as printed on battery label.
Deep Cycle	WET, Flooded, Maintenance Free	Ω
All AGM	AGM	Ω
All others		Ω

If the battery is not rated using CA, CCA, EN, EN2, DIN ratings systems, select Ω.

Standard	Units	Description	Primary Use
CCA	CCA	Cold Cranking Amps, SAE Standard	USA, Japan. Automotive Batteries
CA (= MCA)	CA	Cranking Amps or Marine Cranking Amps	USA, Marine, dual purpose batteries.
EN	A	European Norm	Europe, Automotive Batteries
EN2	A	European Norm	Europe, Automotive Batteries
DIN	A	German Norm	Europe, Automotive Batteries (older)
Ω	mohm	Internal Resistance	Generic reference standard for all batteries. Select for ALL AGM and deep cycle batteries.

Set Battery Rated Value

After selecting the rating standard, the screen will flash a line. Use the [>] and [<] buttons to set the Rated Value of the battery as printed on the battery label. Hold the [>] or [<] button to more quickly change the value. Press [enter/print] to confirm. The Rated Value is displayed at the bottom of the display.

If you do not know the Rated Value, or if you do not wish to enter a Rated Value, press the [enter/print] button to start the test procedure.

If you have entered an incorrect battery Rated Value, or selected an incorrect Rating Standard, ‘Battery Life’ results will be incorrect.
If you did not enter a rated value, a ‘Battery Life’ value can not be determined and a recommendation will not be indicated. However, the measured value of the battery will be displayed.
When using the Ω rating system (AA1000 only), a reference value in mO must be determined and entered. This value may be published by the manufacturer or identified by testing a new, charged battery of the same specific model.

Step 3: Testing

After selecting the Rated Value in test setup, the testing process begins automatically.

Basic Diagnostic Test: ‘SoC’ screen

The basic battery diagnostic test screen can be identified by the State of Charge (‘SoC’) in the upper left corner of the display. The (Enter) prompt flashes on the display. Pressing [enter/print] initiates the Battery Life Test and changes the display to the Battery Life (‘BL’) screen.

Battery Life Test: ‘BL’ screen

The Battery Life screen can be identified by ‘BL’, in the upper left corner of the display. The (Start) prompt flashes on the display. Cranking the engine will initiate the ‘Cranking Health’ test.

Cranking Health Test: ‘CH’ screen (AA1000)

The Cranking Health screen can be identified by ‘CH’, in the upper left corner of the display.

The tester is ready to perform the Cranking Health Test when (Start) icon is flashing. The Cranking Health Test can only be performed on batteries connected to their starting load. If the battery is not connected to a starting load (starter motor), ignore the Cranking Health Test and rely on the Battery Life Test results for battery performance information.

Turn off all accessory loads before starting the engine (lights, fans, radios, etc.)
Crank the engine as prompted by the (Start) icon flashing on the ‘BL’ display.

The analyzer will automatically detect engine cranking and will capture cranking performance data.

Charging System Test
(AA1000)

After the Cranking Health Test is performed (engine started), the tester monitors the electrical system for indications of charging system faults. The tester monitors voltage and measures voltage ripple to determine alternator function. Icons and alarms on the ‘CH’ page will indicate any faults detected.

Step 4: Reviewing and Printing/Saving Results

All test results may be reviewed (or printed/saved) until the analyzer is disconnected from the battery. Press [enter/print] to move sequentially from one test results screen to another (SoC – BL – CH…) Use [>] or [<] to view different results within a test screen.

If a printer module (AATPR20) is connected, a printer icon (Printer) will be visible on the screen. Results can be printed, or saved in memory, or both at any time by pressing and holding [enter/print] for 2 seconds (until beep).