Battery tester for AAs

tecboy · Mar 2, 2015

Is there a battery tester for AAs that tells me the batteries are deteriorated? I don't like the batteries fail me during the event.

Vtec44 · Mar 3, 2015

Your standard multi meter should work if you just want to measure the output. I'm no electrician, obviously.

tecboy · Mar 3, 2015

There you go.

timor · Mar 3, 2015

Vtec44 said:
Your standard multi meter should work if you just want to measure the output. I'm no electrician, obviously.

I think you're right, multimeter will show electromotive force of a cell.

nerwin · Mar 3, 2015

I use a multimeter as well. If its around 1.3v, there is some left..but its not providing full power so I toss them..but it depends what device they are being used in.

Overread · Mar 3, 2015

You can get something like the Maha/Powerrex C9000 which will dicharge, recondition, test, measure and recharge 4 AA or AAA batteries. It's basically built to charge and recondition. It loses points only in that it can only do 4 cells at a time which is practically rather a limitation for most photographers (an 8 cell is more practical even for a hobbyist).

tecboy · Mar 3, 2015

I'll get this one. Ansmann Battery Tester for Alkaline Batteries 4000042

tecboy · Mar 3, 2015

I did experience the Eneloop and XX batteries get very hot, but the labels have not scratches off.

Ron Smith · Mar 5, 2015

Check out this:
ZTS MINI-MBT - Mini Multi-Battery Tester - For More Than 15 Battery Types

ZTS MINI-MBT - Mini Multi-Battery Tester - For More Than 15 Battery Types - - Amazon.com

I did a little bit of research on this because I still buy batteries (not rechargeable) for my speed lights. I was changing out every time I shoot just to be sure, but was certain they were not always spent. I ended up with a pile of batteries with no idea of the condition.

The problem with multi-testers is they don't tell you how the battery will perform under load. This tester checks that. I got the smaller version, but they have one that will test more battery sizes/types. So far I'm pleased. It tells you in percentage, the amount of life left.

more on them here - this is the larger one
ZTS MBT-1 Battery Tester