How to test battery

[BC-Buck 10]

02 Rubicon when below 32F after sitting two weeks would barely turn over. After running it works fine. Happened first time thought loose ground. Other day mid 40s started normal. I have a load tester for auto battery's but to much for small battery's. How to test. Thinking 5 plus age and probably reading 12 volts.

[Mark from Northern Iowa 12]

(How To) load test your battery with a multimeter

.

In some cases, our Hondas will crank with a bad battery, but the voltage is not enough to operate some of the systems, so it will not start.
.
In MANY cases, our Hondas will crank AND START, with a bad battery, but the voltage is not enough to operate some of the systems, and then other problems show up.
.
First step with any troubleshooting is to eliminate possible problems and then move to the next.
Even with a new battery, if there are problems, it needs a load test.
.
Most people do not have a battery load tester, but you can use a multimeter.
Hook up your multimeter to the battery.
Key off, what is the voltage?
Key on, what is the voltage?
Turn on EVERYTHING , high beam head light and any other accessory, step on the brake.
Now what is the voltage?
Now with all that still on, crank it over while watching the voltage.
.
This test tells us a few things
If the voltage never drops, you have a loose wiring problem.
If the voltage drops below 10 volts, your battery is weak/bad.
If the test shows a weak/bad battery, you may have something drawing power with the key off.
Unhook both negative and positive cables.
Trickle charge overnight, low amps over a longer charge time is the best way to charge a battery.
.
And, over night charge, retest after hook up.
If it fails this time, you know, bad battery.
If it passes, find the power drain.
.
Have a good day

[BC-Buck 10]

5 hours ago, Mark from Northern Iowa said:

(How To) load test your battery with a multimeter

.

In some cases, our Hondas will crank with a bad battery, but the voltage is not enough to operate some of the systems, so it will not start.
.
In MANY cases, our Hondas will crank AND START, with a bad battery, but the voltage is not enough to operate some of the systems, and then other problems show up.
.
First step with any troubleshooting is to eliminate possible problems and then move to the next.
Even with a new battery, if there are problems, it needs a load test.
.
Most people do not have a battery load tester, but you can use a multimeter.
Hook up your multimeter to the battery.
Key off, what is the voltage?
Key on, what is the voltage?
Turn on EVERYTHING , high beam head light and any other accessory, step on the brake.
Now what is the voltage?
Now with all that still on, crank it over while watching the voltage.
.
This test tells us a few things
If the voltage never drops, you have a loose wiring problem.
If the voltage drops below 10 volts, your battery is weak/bad.
If the test shows a weak/bad battery, you may have something drawing power with the key off.
Unhook both negative and positive cables.
Trickle charge overnight, low amps over a longer charge time is the best way to charge a battery.
.
And, over night charge, retest after hook up.
If it fails this time, you know, bad battery.
If it passes, find the power drain.
.
Have a good day

This is info I was looking for. Thanks