TO: ALL WOOD COUNTY ARES MEMBERS (OFFICIAL)
ALL ARES AND NON-ARES AMATEURS ANYWHERE (INFORMATION)
FROM: KEN HARRIS WA8LLM, ARRL DISTRICT 3 EMERGENCY COORDINATOR
WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INC.
ARES BULLETIN NR 16.03 DATE: January 17, 2016
SUBJECT: SPOT CHECK YOUR BATTERIES
To be sure that your emergency back-up batteries are ready when you need them, you should check them from time-to-time. To check if your batteries are in good shape they need to be tested under load. Under load means the batteries should be connected to devices that draw current.
Light bulbs are a good power load. If enough lights are connected in the proper way, they will draw enough current to simulate the appliances the batteries are being used to provide emergency power for. At the same time light bulbs will let you see how bright they are.
While you have the simulated load connected to the batteries, read the battery voltage. Just using a voltmeter, without a load, IS NOT good enough to tell if the battery will provide the energy needed to provide your back-up power.
If a battery has a high internal resistance, it may show a good voltage, but won't be able to supply the amount of current needed to operate your communications equipment.
Ken Harris WA8LLM
WV ARES District 3 Emergency Coordinator
WCEC
Wood County WV