Abstract: An automotive vehicle battery monitor includes an electrical connection configured to electrically couple to an electrical system of the vehicle. An output provides a visual indication related to a condition of the battery. A mount mounts the output at a location at which the output is visible from outside of the vehicle.

Abstract: A broad-band technique for reducing the distributed inductance of a four-conductor Kelvin cable is disclosed. A special inductance-canceling cable section is connected in tandem with the cable section contacting the cell/battery. Connections between the two cable sections are transposed such that conductors in each conductor pair of the canceling section connect to current-carrying and voltage-sensing conductors from different conductor pairs in the contacting section. The canceling section thereby exhibits a distributed negative mutual inductance between its current-carrying and voltage-sensing conductors that can effectively cancel the distributed positive mutual inductance introduced by the contacting section. In one embodiment, conductor pairs comprise pairs of insulated wires which may be twisted together. In other disclosed embodiments, conductor pairs comprise shielded coaxial cables.

Abstract: Battery maintenance equipment is provided for use in maintaining storage batteries. The battery maintenance equipment includes battery maintenance circuitry. A redemption code output is provided and configured to provide an output having a redeemable value in response to the battery maintenance circuitry. A method includes outputting a redemption code in response to usage of battery maintenance equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a storage battery includes an input configured to select a printer protocol from a plurality of printer protocols. A memory contains a plurality of printer protocol selection commands. Each of the printer protocol selection commands corresponds with each of the printer protocols. A processor is coupled to the input and the memory such that the processor can retrieve one of the plurality of printer protocol selection commands that corresponds to the selected printer protocol. A communication interface is configured to send the printer protocol selection command to a printer, the printer protocol selection command is configured to cause the printer to communicate in accordance with the selected printer protocol.

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: A battery maintenance tool, which electrically couples to a battery, includes a maintenance tool housing and electronic circuitry within the maintenance tool housing. A cable, substantially external to the maintenance tool housing includes a plurality of conductors. At least some conductors of the plurality conductors are configured to electrically couple to the electronic circuitry within the maintenance tool housing. At least one probe light that is configured to electrically couple to at least two of the plurality of conductors in the cable is also included. The probe light, which is separate from the maintenance tool housing, receives power via the at least two of the plurality of conductors to which it is electrically coupled.

Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery provides a test output indicative of a condition of the battery. Electronic measurement circuitry provides a measurement output related to a condition of the battery. The battery condition is determined based upon one or more responses to one or more queries provided to an operator. The responses are used to determine battery type.

Abstract: A method of coupling a shunt to a printed circuit board (PCB) of an energy management system is provided. The method includes coupling flexible electrical connectors to the shunt and soldering the flexible electrical connectors to connection points on the PCB of the energy management system. An energy management system that includes a shunt coupled to a printed circuit board using the above method is also provided.

Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery determines a condition of the battery. The condition is a relative condition and is a function of a dynamic parameter of the battery and an empirical input variable.

Abstract: An alternator tester is provided for testing an alternator of a vehicle while the alternator is coupled to the vehicle. A sensor is configured to couple to the vehicle and sense a signal related to operation of the alternator. A memory contains data related to operator instructions for performing an alternator tester of a function of vehicle type. A processor configured to provide an output indication of alternator condition based upon the sensed signal. An extra load or connection can be provided for coupling to the electrical system.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle electrical system diagnostic apparatus includes first and second electrical connections configured to electrically couple to an electrical system of an automotive vehicle which includes a battery. Digital samples are obtained during operation of the vehicle which are related to the system. The digital samples are stored in memory.

Abstract: A battery monitoring system (BMS), which utilizes a minimum amount of input data (time, voltage, current, temperature and conductance, for example) to periodically determine a vehicle battery status or condition is provided. The BMS combines electronic hardware and software to give logical and critical data to assess and control a battery-based electrical system. The BMS can include processing circuitry (a microprocessor, for example), which is coupled to a voltage sensor, a current sensor, a temperature sensor, etc., that provide the necessary input data for the microprocessor, which executes program code, to determine the vehicle battery status or condition. A method of monitoring a battery in an operating vehicle is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting the remaining discharge time of a battery are provided. The method includes measuring a dynamic parameter of the battery, obtaining a discharge current of the battery, measuring a voltage of the battery and obtaining a temperature of the battery. The remaining run time of the battery is predicted as a function of the measured battery dynamic parameter, the discharge current, the measured battery voltage, the battery temperature, a full charge battery dynamic parameter and an estimated capacity of the battery.

Abstract: A Kelvin connector for coupling to a post of a battery includes a first contact having a surface which at least partially conforms to and is adapted to engage and electrically connect to a surface of the post. The connector also includes a second contact having a surface which at least partially conforms to and is adapted to engage and electrically connect to the surface of the post. An electrical insulator between the first contact and the second contact urges the surface of the first contact and the surface of the second contact against the surface of the post and thereby forms a Kelvin connection to the post.

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.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simulating a battery tester with a fixed resistance load, such as a widely used Japanese load tester that rates the strength of Japanese batteries that are categorized under the Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS), are provided. This invention simulates such a device without invoking large current loads, yields familiar results, utilizes an existing database and provides more conclusive testing. The method includes estimating a battery load test voltage as a function of a measured battery dynamic parameter, an open circuit voltage, the load resistance value of the load tester and the battery temperature. A bounceback voltage (BBV) of the battery is also predicted. The BBV, load voltage and battery temperature are utilized to rate the strength of the battery. Also, to improve the accuracy of test results for a substantially discharged battery, one embodiment projects the results of recharging discharged batteries without actually doing so.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing theft in automotive vehicle service centers. The apparatus includes at least one portable tool and a controller. The portable tool includes circuitry configured to communicate with the controller. The portable tool further includes anti-theft circuitry, which is configured to disable the portable tool if no communication occurs between the portable tool and the controller for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle electrical system diagnostic apparatus includes first and second electrical connections configured to electrically couple to an electrical system of an automotive vehicle which includes a battery. Digital samples are obtained during operation of the vehicle which are related to the system. The digital samples are stored in memory.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing theft in automotive vehicle service centers. A transmitter transmits a wireless security signal which defines a perimeter. At least one portable tool for use in automotive vehicle service centers includes a receiver configured to receive a transmitted security signal. Security circuitry is actuated if the tool is outside the perimeter defined by the security signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simulating a battery tester with a fixed resistance load, such as a widely used Japanese load tester that rates the strength of Japanese batteries that are categorized under the Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS), are provided. This invention simulates such a device without invoking large current loads, yields familiar results, utilizes an existing database and provides more conclusive testing. The method includes measuring an open circuit voltage (OCV), temperature and a dynamic parameter of the battery. A load voltage of the battery is estimated as a function of the measured battery dynamic parameter, the OCV, the load resistance value of the load tester and the battery temperature. A bounceback voltage (BBV) of the battery is then predicted. The BBV, the load voltage and the battery temperature are utilized to rate the strength of the battery.