"Lew Hodgett" wrote in news:TlsSk.874$mi4.247
@nwrddc02.gnilink.net:

wrote:

After building several boats, I have just about
decided that power tools are expendable items.

Agreed; however, Milwaukee or equal, makes the journey more pleasant.

Harbor Freight is a waste of time, except for disposables.

Lew



Speaking of Harbor Freight, they now have a full line of battery analyzers
so you can test those millionaire red battery banks to find that dead cell.
The original tester loaded at only 50A. They've added another one at 100A,
but I bought the full load this time because it's so cheap. It's a
variable load from 0-500A. It will take the load plenty long enough to
find the dead battery if you unparallel them by removing a cable. Works
great and only $50!

The variable load allows you to really test that alternator they told you
would put out 190A (for a few minutes before it starts smoking). Crank the
engine with no load and let it charge up the starting battery in a few
minutes. Then, you can load 'er down and easily find that slipping belt or
poor electrical connection that will start smoking under the load. No
wonder the damned house batteries take forever to charge, the belt is
slipping above 30A! You'll see the voltage suddenly drop when that happens
and the ammeter on the unit will tell you the load when it happens.

Sure beats dragging good alternators back and forth to the shop to be told
nothing is wrong with any of them......