ZTS Battery Tester

[shuter]

I received a ZTS-MBT-1 Multi Battery Tester yesterday. It runs on four AA Alkaline batteries and I discovered that I was out of them. I went to a container with spent batteries awaiting a trip to the recycler and found eight of them. Putting four of them in the ZTS I discovered it worked. I proceded to cycle the eight AA batteries through it, testing all eight. Four of them were 80 to 100% They are now doing duty in the ZTS instead of being destroyed.

I started testing 123 primaries and found the same thing. Some of the batteries I was going to throw out had 80% of their charge left.

This battery tester is incredibly quick and easy to use. It clearly allows me to get more use and safer use out of all of my batteries. I have rarely been more impressed with a new product purchase and recommend it to everyone.

 

[bp044]

I received a ZTS-MBT-1 Multi Battery Tester yesterday. It runs on four AA Alkaline batteries and I discovered that I was out of them. I went to a container with spent batteries awaiting a trip to the recycler and found eight of them. Putting four of them in the ZTS I discovered it worked. I proceded to cycle the eight AA batteries through it, testing all eight. Four of them were 80 to 100% They are now doing duty in the ZTS instead of being destroyed.

I started testing 123 primaries and found the same thing. Some of the batteries I was going to throw out had 80% of their charge left.

This battery tester is incredibly quick easy to use. It clearly allows me to get more use and safer use out of all of my batteries. I have rarely been more impressed with a new product purchase and recommend it to everyone.

How does one know when to replace the cells that power the ZTS ?

 

[shuter]

How does one know when to replace the cells that power the ZTS ?

When batteries are first inserted into the ZTS it automatically powers up. If the batteries are good the 100% green LED blinks for five seconds.

It also has an automatic low battery self test function. If only the two red LED's blink alternately during a battery test it is time to replace the batteries.

This thing is dumb proof.

 

[EugeneJohn]

This thing is dumb proof.

Well dang, it sounds like just my speed. I was on the fence about buying one but that tipped the scales.

Thanks for the feedback, Shuter, though my wallet is now thirty bucks lighter for it.

 

[DM51]

This a good recent thread that shows the usefulness of the ZTS tester: Batteries - A tale of sorrow averted. There are others that can be found with the search function.

 

[Turbo DV8]

I went to a container with spent batteries awaiting a trip to the recycler and found eight of them... Four of them were 80 to 100%... Some of the batteries I was going to throw out had 80% of their charge left.

You said the cells were spent, so something must have prompted you to put those four cells with 80% charge in the dump. Why would spent cells show 80%?

 

[Sigman]

Indeed a solid tester! Glad you saved those batteries and are squeezing what would have been "abandoned juice" out of them!!

 

[Light Sabre]

From personal experience, a reason a lot of good batteries are thrown away is that the device that they were used in says that they're low. I have several electronic gadgets that say that the batteries are low at 1.3 volts. I run them until the device finally quits working, which may be 3-6 months later (weather stations that I have). Then they may still be good in another device that finally finishes them off. It is my opinion that a lot of batteries are thrown away, when they still have a lot of life in them. :mecry:

 

[shuter]

You said the cells were spent, so something must have prompted you to put those four cells with 80% charge in the dump. Why would spent cells show 80%?

I think four of them came out of a Predator headlamp that stays in my bird hunting bag. I pulled them out and replaced them before the first hunt of this years waterfowl season. It takes an hour or more to set up the spread in the dark and did not want last years batteries to go flat on me. As for the other four, I don't remember but they were almost dead. Until I bought the ZTS I had no way to test them so if I thought they were low I replaced them. Not any more.

I have a number of lights that use two or more 123 primaries. For safety, if I pulled two out of a light for some reason I usually recycled them unless the pair went directly into another light since it is so hard to keep track of loose batteries. Now I can match them up at any time. From what I have read, even new 123's are sometimes not fully charged and when mismatched can create a dangerous condition in multi cell lights. No more guessing.

I also am going to be using unprotected Li Ion cells in a couple of lights to achieve maximum performance and I really want to know their state of charge at all times. Now I can.

I have now tested all my battery stock. Over 100 batteries of various types. There were a number of surprises. Love this tester.