Is the ZTS MTB-1 the tester to buy?

[DiverDn]

I want to buy my father in law a battery tester and I was wondering if the ZTS MTB-1 is the tester to buy?

I haven't seen any current threads on this subject and would like some suggestions.

Thanks

 

[cache529]

I was thinking of getting myself something to test batteries too, but I had in mind a $20-30 craftsman multimeter. Also, maybe just create a little percentage of discharge chart based on type of battery/voltage for easy reference. For those experienced, would this work just as well as a battery tester?

 

[SilverFox]

Hello DiverDn,

Welcome to CPF.

The ZTS is a great tester, but it isn't very accurate. If you go by relative tests, it works great. However, if your cells test at 60%, that doesn't exactly mean that you have 60% of the total capacity left. A cell that tests at 60% will have more charge left than one that tests tat 40%, so that part of the test works fine.

The ZTS is set up for a set of standard cells. They discharge the cells, then note the voltage of the cells under load. This forms a "look up" table that is compared to the cell under test. If the cell you are testing happens to be similar to what they used to set up the table, your results will be more accurate.

I have, and recommend, the ZTS. After you use it for awhile, you will get a feel for what the test results actually indicate. I use mine all the time and find it very repeatable.

Tom

 

[TakeTheActive]

I want to buy my father in law a battery tester and I was wondering if the ZTS MTB-1 is the tester to buy?

For what TYPE cells?

If only AAA/AA NiMH, does he already own a Maha MH-C9000?

Personally, I'd rather have a GREAT Charger/Analyzer than any '1 Minute' tester.

 

[DiverDn]

Hello DiverDn,

Welcome to CPF.

The ZTS is a great tester, but it isn't very accurate. If you go by relative tests, it works great. However, if your cells test at 60%, that doesn't exactly mean that you have 60% of the total capacity left. A cell that tests at 60% will have more charge left than one that tests tat 40%, so that part of the test works fine.

The ZTS is set up for a set of standard cells. They discharge the cells, then note the voltage of the cells under load. This forms a "look up" table that is compared to the cell under test. If the cell you are testing happens to be similar to what they used to set up the table, your results will be more accurate.

I have, and recommend, the ZTS. After you use it for awhile, you will get a feel for what the test results actually indicate. I use mine all the time and find it very repeatable.

Tom

Tom,

I think I understand what you are saying. If he is just comparing battery to battery it will work fine and once he has some experience with it, it will give him a range of how long a battery will work in his given application.

For what TYPE cells?

If only AAA/AA NiMH, does he already own a Maha MH-C9000?

Personally, I'd rather have a GREAT Charger/Analyzer than any '1 Minute' tester.

TTA,

He has AAA/AA NiMH and Lithium. He also has CR123 (non recharable).

Thanks for the help.

 

[DiverDn]

Anyone have any suggestions on the best place to buy one of these testers?

Thanks
John

 

[sfmartin]

thomasdistributing.com is reliable. Don't know if they have the best price.

 

[jhellwig]

Amazon.com Just about as cheap as anyone else.

 

[lrp]

I've had two ZTS testers over the years and really like them and I use the tester at least every other day! And they are made here in the USA!!

 

[DiverDn]

Ordered from TD two days ago and it shipped the same day and arrived today via UPS. Great service since the guy on the phone did not think they would get it out the same day due to it being 3 in the afternoon.

I had to make sure it worked so I went through all my batteries in the house and tested everything.

I know it may not be the most accurate, but it is better than what we had and it will work great. I now have a box full of dead cells that I need to take somewhere to be recycled.

Thanks for the help on this.......Now to get a charger!

 

[zipplet]

The ZTS is indeed a good tester. May I also mention an alternative that I own - the Ansmann Energy energy-check LCD - UK rapid-online link. I don't think you can get this in the US due to a patent dispute if I remember correctly.

 

[Paul_in_Maryland]

buying the Ansmann Energy 4000392 tester in North America

Zipplet,

I checked out your link to the Ansmann Energy 4000392 ("Smart Battery Tester with LCD Display RC"). The good news: That UK vendor will ship to America. The bad news: Shipping to North America will cost GBP 41!

North Americans can buy the Ansmann tester from UK Amazon dealer Celebrations2010 or from express007uk on U.S. eBay here.Celebrations2010 ships to North America. Or from U.S. eBay here. I'm tempted to pull the trigger. The main thing holding me back is that the Ansmann doesn't claim to test lithium AA primary cells. I still use those in remote controls and car flashlights/torches. Plus, I'm about to start using NiZn AA rechargeables, and I've been hoping to get reasonably accurate readings for these from my ZTS MBT-1.

 

[Conan]

Re: buying the Ansmann Energy 4000392 tester in North America

Zipplet,

I checked out your link to the Ansmann Energy 4000392 ("Smart Battery Tester with LCD Display RC"). The good news: That UK vendor will ship to America. The bad news: Shipping to North America will cost GBP 41!

North Americans can buy the Ansmann tester from UK Amazon dealer Celebrations2010 or from express007uk on U.S. eBay here.Celebrations2010 ships to North America. Or from U.S. eBay here. I'm tempted to pull the trigger. The main thing holding me back is that the Ansmann doesn't claim to test lithium AA primary cells. I still use those in remote controls and car flashlights/torches. Plus, I'm about to start using NiZn AA rechargeables, and I've been hoping to get reasonably accurate readings for these from my ZTS MBT-1.

Don't bother with the Ansmann if you already have the ZTS MBT-1. I have both testers (got the Ansmann first before the ZTS). After I bought the ZTS I no longer use the Ansmann. I find the ZTS to have a lot less variability than the Ansmann.

 

[Paul_in_Maryland]

Thanks, Conan! I've been hoping someone would persuade me to buy a second MTB-1, keeping the money in my country. (No hard feelings, EU...)

 

[InHisName]

Thanks, Conan! I've been hoping someone would persuade me to buy a second MTB-1, keeping the money in my country. (No hard feelings, EU...)

Explain what useful purpose TWO identical testers gain you ? I can understand two different testers......

 

[Paul_in_Maryland]

One for work, one for home.