Abstract: A battery monitoring device configured to monitor a storage battery. The battery monitoring device includes Kelvin connectors configured to couple to the terminals of the storage battery. The battery monitoring device is configured to receive data from a second battery monitoring device. Further, the battery monitoring device is configured to measure a parameter of the storage battery. The measured parameter and the data received from the second battery monitoring device are communicated to a receiving station.

Abstract: A battery maintenance device configured to maintain a storage battery. An electrical connection couples the battery maintenance device to the storage battery. Maintenance circuitry couples to the battery through the electrical connection and performs maintenance on the battery. The maintenance circuitry includes an electrical load configured to draw an electrical current from the battery. The electrical current causes the electrical load to heat. A phase change material is thermally coupled to the load. The phase change material has a specific heat index which has a non-linear relationship to temperature to thereby reduce a rate of change in temperature of the electrical load.

Abstract: An alternator tester is configured to test an alternator of a vehicle, the alternator of the type which electrically couples to the vehicle through an alternator connector. The alternator tester includes alternator test circuitry and an alternator test connector or adapter configured to electrically connect the test circuitry to the alternator connector. A vehicle connector is configured to electrically connect the test circuitry to the vehicle through the alternator connector. The test circuitry is configured to interact with the alternator through the alternator test connector and thereby test operation of the alternator.

Abstract: Testing or diagnostics are performed on an electric vehicle. The vehicle is operated and current flow through a system of the vehicle is monitored. A voltage related to the system is also monitored. Diagnostics are provided based upon the monitored voltage and the monitored current.

Abstract: A vehicle electrical system tester for testing the electrical system of a vehicle is provided. The electrical system has a wiring harness which extends between components of the vehicle and includes a plurality of wires. The vehicle electrical system tester is configured to measure an electrical parameter of at least one of the plurality of wires through a first connection to coupled to a first end of the at least one of the plurality of wires and a second connection coupled to a second end of the at least one of the plurality of wires. An electrical signal is applied between the first and second ends of the at least one of the plurality of wires and the electrical parameter of the at least one of the plurality of wires is responsively measured.

Abstract: Testing or diagnostics are performed on an electric vehicle. The vehicle is operated and current flow through a system of the vehicle is monitored. A voltage related to the system is also monitored. Diagnostics are provided based upon the monitored voltage and the monitored current.

Abstract: Testing or diagnostics are performed on an electric vehicle. The vehicle is operated and current flow through a system of the vehicle is monitored. A voltage related to the system is also monitored. Diagnostics are provided based upon the monitored voltage and the monitored current.

Abstract: A vehicle electrical system tester for testing the electrical system of a vehicle is provided. The electrical system has a wiring harness which extends between components of the vehicle and includes a plurality of wires. The vehicle electrical system tester is configured to measure an electrical parameter of at least one of the plurality of wires through a first connection to coupled to a first end of the at least one of the plurality of wires and a second connection coupled to a second end of the at least one of the plurality of wires. An electrical signal is applied between the first and second ends of the at least one of the plurality of wires and the electrical parameter of the at least one of the plurality of wires is responsively measured.

Abstract: A current clamp has a pair of jaws that are placed around an electrical conductor to measure a parameter (a measurable quantity or distinguishing or notable characteristic) corresponding to the electrical conductor.

Abstract: A maintenance system for use with an electrical system of an automotive vehicle includes an electronic battery tester configured to test a battery of the automotive vehicle. The electronic battery tester includes tracking circuitry carried therein. A base station is configured to receive the electronic battery tester and includes a microprocessor configured to detect positioning of the electronic battery tester in the base station using the battery tester tracking circuitry.

Abstract: A clamp for coupling an electronic battery tester to a post of a storage battery. The clamp includes a first metal arm that extends from a first proximal end to a first distal end and a second metal arm that extends from a second proximal end to a second distal end. A first hinge portion on the first metal arm is positioned between the first proximal end and the first distal end. A second hinge portion is positioned on the second metal arm between the second proximal end and the second distal end. A pivot is configured to pivotally couple the first hinge portion to the second hinge portion. A first covering is overmolded on the first metal arm and a second covering is overmolded on the second metal arm.

Abstract: An electronic vehicle tester includes a battery tester configured to measure a parameter of a battery of a vehicle. A tire tester is configured to receive a parameter of a tire of the vehicle. A wireless receiver can be configured to receive pressure information from a transmitter associated with a tire of a vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring electrical parameters for an electrical system measures a first and second parameters of the electrical system between connections to the electrical system. A processor determines a third electrical parameter of the electrical system as a function of the first parameter and the second parameter. Wireless communication is provided between components of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method that includes affixing a radio frequency identification tag on a storage battery at a battery manufacturing plant. The method also includes storing battery manufacturing information into the radio frequency identification tag at the battery manufacturing plant. The battery manufacturing information includes a battery algorithm suitable for use in testing the storage battery.

Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery includes test circuitry configured to provide a battery test output related to a condition of the battery. A memory stores a battery tester address of the battery tester, and communication circuitry transmits the battery test output formatted with the battery tester address on a communication link to a remote location.

Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery, includes connections configured to couple to terminals of the battery. Measurement circuitry is coupled to the connections and configured to measure a parameter of the battery. An input is configured to receive a battery age input variable. Computation circuitry is configured to provide a test output related to a condition of the battery based upon the measured parameter and the battery age input variable.

Abstract: A cable for connecting to an electronic battery tester, includes a first end configured to couple to a databus of a vehicle and a second end configured to couple to the electronic battery tester. An electrical connection extends between the first end and the second end and is configured to couple the electronic battery tester to the databus of the vehicle.

Abstract: A current clamp has a pair of jaws that are placed around an electrical conductor to measure a parameter (a measurable quantity or distinguishing or notable characteristic) corresponding to the electrical conductor.

Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery includes test circuitry configured to provide an output based upon a selected test criteria. Additionally, circuitry is provided to assist in balancing batteries used in a string of multiple batteries.

Abstract: A method of repairing a used battery pack from an electric vehicle include removing the battery pack from the vehicle. Battery tests are performed on at least some of the plurality of batteries and a battery test result for each of the batteries tested are obtained and stored in a database. A plurality of replacement batteries are tested and test results for each of the replacement batteries are stored in the database. The battery test results from the database are retrieved and used to create a refurbished battery pack. An apparatus includes a database for storing test results.