How to Test Dry Cell Batteries
- 1). Set your multimeter to read direct current (DC) voltage. Many multimeters have a specific battery testing function built in, in which case they can be set to this function. If you are using a battery tester, just turn it on to measure whether a battery is good or bad.
- 2). Touch the red or positive lead to the top button of the dry cell battery. Touch the negative or black lead to the flat bottom on the battery. If using a battery tester, insert the battery positive side up into the unit. The tester will show which way the battery should be inserted.
- 3). Read the voltage on the multimeter. A 1.5 voltage battery must read a solid 1.5 volts for it to be in good working order. If there is a 10 percent lower deviation in the voltage reading, the battery is bad and must be replaced. Most battery testers are simplified multimeters; with either a simple meter that swings either good or bad or a pair of colored lights (green is good, red is bad), they will only show whether the battery is functional or not.