OWNER’S MANUAL

Model: BT-250
Digital Battery Tester
For 12 Volt Batteries

ELECTRIC CORPORATION
MT. PROSPECT, IL 60056

Send Warranty Product

Repairs To:
Customer Returns
P.O. Box 280
1025 E. Thompson Avenue
Hoopeston, IL 60942-0280

Questions? Call Customer Service

1-800-621-5485

00-99-000439/1004

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 WARNING: Handling the cord on this product or cords
associated with accessories sold with this product, will
expose you to lead, a chemical known to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.

TEST PROCEDURES / OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

IMPORTANT:
1. For testing 12 volt batteries Only
2. Suggested operational range 32°(0°C) to 122°(50°C)
ambient air temperature.

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 WARNING
1. Working in the vicinity of a lead acid battery is dangerous.
Batteries generate explosive gases during normal battery
operation. For this reason, it is of utmost importance that
each time before using your tester, (if you have any doubts)
you read these instructions very carefully.
2. To reduce the risk of battery explosion, follow these
instructions and those published by the battery
manufacturer and manufacturer of any equipment you
intend to use in the vicinity of the battery. Observe
precautionary markings on these items.
3. Do not expose the tester to rain, snow or other forms of
moisture.
PERSONAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

1. Someone should be within range of your voice or close

enough to come to your aid when you work near a lead acid
battery.
2. Have plenty of fresh water and soap nearby in case battery
acid contacts skin, clothing or eyes.
3. Wear safety glasses and protective clothing.
4. If battery acid contacts skin or clothing, wash immediately
with soap and water. If acid enters eye, immediately flood
eye with cool running water for at least ten minutes and get
medical attention immediately.
5. NEVER smoke or allow a spark or flame in vicinity of battery
or engine.
6. Be extra cautious to reduce risk of dropping a metal tool on
to the battery. It could spark or short-circuit the battery or
other electrical parts and could cause an explosion.
7. Remove personal metal items such as rings, bracelets,
necklaces and watches when working with a lead acid
battery. It can produce a short circuit current high enough
to weld a ring or similar item to metal causing a severe
burn.
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 PREPARING TO TEST:
1. Be sure the area around the battery being tested is well
ventilated before performing any test.
2. Clean battery terminals. Be careful to keep corrosion from
coming in contact with eyes.
3. Inspect the battery for cracked or broken case or cover. If
the battery is damaged, do not use the tester.
4. If the battery is not sealed (i.e. Maintenance Free), add
distilled water in each cell until battery fluid reaches level
specified by the battery manufacturer. This helps purge
excessive gas from cells. Do not overfill.
5. If it is necessary to remove the battery from the vehicle to
test, always remove grounding cable from battery first. Make
sure all accessories in the vehicle are off to ensure this will
not cause any arcing.

OPERATION & USE

BATTERY TEST: BT-250 (12 Volt Batteries Only)

1. Before you test a battery in a vehicle, turn off the ignition,
all accessories and loads. Close all the vehicle doors and
the trunk lid.
2. Make sure you have put a 9V battery into the
battery chamber. If the 9V battery runs out of IbtL
power, screen will show “Ibtl” (internal battery
low). Replace this 9V battery before beginning
the test.
3. Make sure the battery terminals are clean. Wire brush them
if necessary. Clamp the black test lead to the vehicle’s
negative battery terminal. Clamp the red test lead to the
vehicle’s positive battery terminal. Tester display will
illuminate when a 9V battery is installed and both clamps
connect to the correct battery terminals.
4. You will view the following screens. If you wish to test the
battery rating of ENc2 or DIN, you PRESS
need to press
/ key to select XX.XX

ENTER
SAE
the desired rating standard.
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 5. Pressing “ENTER” will move to the next step.
Press the
/ Key to input the
6.
battery capacity of CCA:
SET 500

SAE: 200–1200, ENC2: 180–1280, DIN: 110–770
Press “ENTER” to begin the test.
7. Test the battery for 5–7 seconds. CAL

8. When the test is complete, The display shows the actual

volts and the actual CCA. (Compared to the CCA selected
in step 6). One of five results will be displayed:
PASS: (Green light)
The battery is good & capable of holding a charge.
xx.xx SAE PASS

PASS & RECHARGE: (Green & Yellow lights)

The battery is good but needs to be charged.
xx.xx SAE PASS CHAR

RECHARGE & RETEST: (Yellow & Red lights)

Battery is discharged. The battery condition cannot be
accurately determined until it is fully charged. Recharge
& retest the battery.
xx.xx SAE PASS TEST

FAIL: (Red light)

The battery will not hold a charge. It should be replaced
immediately.
xx.xx SAE FAIL

BAD CELL: (Red light)

The battery has at least one cell short circuit .It should be
replaced immediately.
xx.xx SAE BAD CELL

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 LOAD ERROR:
The tested battery is larger than 1200CCA or 120AH.
ERR Or the clamps are not connected properly.
9. Press “ENTER” return to step 4 or remove the test clamps
from the battery posts after completion of testing.
* The operator is asked if any accessories are left on as
a possible cause. If accessories are left on, the operator
is instructed to charge and retest the battery. If
accessories are not left on, the operator is instructed to
replace the battery, since the charging system is working
and a good battery should have accepted a charge.

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 NOTES

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 LIMITED WARRANTY
SCHUMACHER ELECTRIC CORPORATION, 801 BUSI-
NESS CENTER DRIVE, MOUNT PROSPECT, ILLINOIS
60056-2179 MAKES THIS LIMITED WARRANTY TO THE
ORIGINAL PURCHASER AT RETAIL OF THIS PROD-
UCT. THIS LIMITED WARRANTY IS NOT TRANSFER-
ABLE.
Schumacher Electric Corporation warrants this battery tester
for one year from date of purchase at retail against defec-
tive material or workmanship. If such should occur, the unit
will be repaired or replaced at the option of the manufac-
turer. It is the obligation of the purchaser to forward the unit
together with the original sales receipt, transportation and/
or mailing charges prepaid to the manufacturer or its autho-
rized representative.
This limited warranty is void if the product is misused, sub-
jected to careless handling, or repaired by anyone other than
the manufacturer or its authorized representative.
The manufacturer makes no warranty other than this lim-
ited warranty and expressly excludes any implied warranty
including any warranty for consequential damages.
THIS IS THE ONLY EXPRESS LIMITED WARRANTY
AND THE MANUFACTURER NEITHER ASSUMES NOR
AUTHORIZES ANYONE TO ASSUME OR MAKE ANY
OTHER OBLIGATION TOWARDS THE PRODUCT
OTHER THAN THIS EXPRESS LIMITED WARRANTY.
THE MANUFACTURER MAKES NO WARRANTY OF
MERCHANT ABILITY OR FITNESS FOR PURPOSE OF
THIS PRODUCT AND EXPRESSLY EXCLUDES SUCH
FROM THIS LIMITED WARRANTY.
SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR
LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES OR LENGTH OF IMPLIED WARRANTY SO
THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT
APPLY TO YOU.
THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL
RIGHTS AND YOU MAY ALSO HAVE OTHER RIGHTS
WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE.
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