New multimeter. Battery gets warm when testing??

[elwood]

Ok, this is weird, maybe i'm doing something wrong. I got a new multimeter in today and i wanted to test some batteries. I plugged the positive lead into the DC10A and the negative into the COM.

I went to test a Battery Station 3V 123A. I switched the dial to DCV and connected the leads. Almost immediately the battery started to get warm. I removed the leads as soon as i felt the battery heating up.

Am i doing something wrong? It's been a few mins and the battery is still right above room temp. :thinking:

 

[Norm]

You are putting a dead short across the batteries.
How to use a multimeter
Simple guide to using a DMM for measurements
Norm

 

[elwood]

You are putting a dead short across the batteries.
Norm

Just realized that. I left the leads on for maybe 4-6 seconds, did i ruin the battery? Should i recycle it just to be safe?

 

[Norm]

Just realized that. I left the leads on for maybe 4-6 seconds, did i ruin the battery? Should i recycle it just to be safe?

The battery should be fine.
Norm


Another link for you in my first post

 

[elwood]

The battery should be fine.
Norm


Another link for you in my first post

It's reading 2.96v's and the others are reading 3.22v. Is it safe to mix them?

 

[Norm]

Charge them individually and then check the voltages.
If you charger has independent channels you can charge them together.
Norm

 

[Mr Happy]

Charge them individually and then check the voltages.
If you charger has independent channels you can charge them together.
Norm

It's a CR123A. Not rechargeable. It's probably best to put that shorted battery to one side and not mix it with others.

 

[Norm]

It's a CR123A. Not rechargeable. It's probably best to put that shorted battery to one side and not mix it with others.

Missed that. Good catch
Although 2.96 V should be fine in a single cell light.
Norm

 

[combinatorix]

If no damage was done to the battery it should be fine. If it got hot enough to burn yourself I might recommend playing it on the safe side.

 

[elwood]

If no damage was done to the battery it should be fine. If it got hot enough to burn yourself I might recommend playing it on the safe side.

No, it just got warm and i stopped as soon as i noticed it warming up (i was holding the battery in my hand).

 

[VidPro]

hey that was Hard knock meter lesson #33
bet you wont do that for another year or so , then you can beat my record.

what is really fun is when you do it in a wall socket

#33 always check where you have the leads plugged in , after the last person used it, especially if you were the last person using it.

 

[elwood]

hey that was Hard knock meter lesson #33, bet you wont do that for another year or so , then you can beat my record.

what is really fun is when you do it in a wall socket

I know better. That's what i get for only getting 3hrs of sleep after a 13hr shift.

I'm a little less embarrassed knowing that someone else here has done the same thing before!

 

[45/70]

I'm a little less embarrassed knowing that someone else here has done the same thing before!

You're not alone elwood. A week or so ago I was checking the voltage of some unprotected RCR-123's, which is a good thing to do. What's not such a good thing to do, is to do so when the black lead (-) is connected to "20A" instead of "COM", even if you do have the meter set to DC voltage!

Stay vigilant. It doesn't hurt to avoid brain farts either.

Dave

 

[Norm]

I have to admit to doing the same thing but to a string of 4 X 12 volt SLAs in series no problem with the batteries but the probes on the end of the meter leads no longer exist, the shunt inside the meter is a little worse from the exercise.
We have all done silly things Elwood.
Norm

 

[Bullzeyebill]

Amen.

Bill