"Why do I need to know Ohm's Law?" was probably a common question in high school physics class. And the teacher's common response was, "Because it's on the test." Fast forward to today and it seems like everything in the automotive service business is related in some significant way to physics, such as stoichiometric air fuel ratios, fuel pressure, hybrid powertrains, braking systems and mass airflow sensors.
For those of you who were (or are still) scared of physics, Bosch Diagnostics has teamed up with Midtronics, the industry leader in battery technology, to create a state-of the-art charging system analyzer that is robust and easy to use. Today's networked vehicles depend on consistent voltage, amperage and noise-free signals to operate. More than ever, proper charging system health is crucial to vehicle electronic control units (ECUs) functioning correctly. The BAT151 (Fig. 5) is a comprehensive tool that covers starting, charging, battery condition, voltage drop and a whole host of other electrical-system tests to quickly pinpoint the problem. The multi-language, easy-to-follow menus enable technicians to quickly isolate and repair electrical system problems using the automated testing sequences. Complex repairs will benefit from the individual testing selections that provide specific component-level testing with minimal hookup.
Fig. 5
At the heart of the BAT151 is Midtronics patented Dynamic Conductance technology, which combines direct temperature measurement and battery cell health checks. Advanced preventative maintenance algorithms help identify batteries that not only have failed, but also flag those that are nearing end-of-life. Optional amp clamp and test leads transform the BAT151 into a complete, portable system analyzer. Cable voltage drop tests are preconfigured for battery, starter and alternator, as well as the ability to create user-specific tests. Quick parasitic drain analysis and full multi-meter functions eliminate the need for a separate DVOM.
The BAT151 utilizes flash memory and is field updateable via USB connection. In addition, a user-supplied SD card can store test files, which can be viewed on a Windows PC in Internet Explorer® and transferred to a customer RO. An optional integrated printer provides an immediate customer printout, including easy-to interpret line and bar graphs. (Fig. 6)
Fig. 6
ACDelco TSS shops qualify for a special rebate on the BAT151. Visit www.acdelcotechconnect.com for details and pricing.
- Thanks to Bob Augustine
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