Testing Battery Cables

[movin-on]

What is the best way to test battery cables for unseen corrosion other than changing them...I know that a continuity test can give a false reading because some some of the strands inside the cable can be good allowing continuity....I was thinking of plugging in the charger and using a clamp meter to check the current on each cable...Would that work ...Thanks

[CP241]

The only way is to test them while under a load.

Set your meter to DC volts. Clamp one meter lead to the battery terminal on one end of the cable, and the other meter lead to the terminal on the other end of the cable (while it's connected between batteries in the cart). It should say 0.0 volts, or very very close to it. Drive the cart and watch the meter. Any voltage that shows is voltage DROP/LOSS. a little voltage drop is normal, but in a short 12" run, it should be minimal at most (0.05 volts max or less I would say, just shooting from the hip). The closer you get to 0 the better the connection and the cable.

[movin-on]

Thanks...That makes sense...You have to have current flowing to test for voltage drop..Would putting on headlights give you enough flow to do a voltage drop test assuming that you have a voltage reducer connected to the pack...

[Fairtax4me]

CP is right on.
Headlights are not enough load. Need to drive the cart.

[CP241]

Nope. Headlights draw a few amps, distributed through the reducer and spread across all 8 batteries... not much load there. Vs a few hundred amps as you're full pedal up a hill!