Associated BEST 6042 Owner/Operator And Safety Manual

ASSOCIATED
B ATTERY ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS TESTER
OPERATOR AND SAFETY MANUAL
The B.E.S.T. tester is designed to test electrical systems on 12, 12/24, and 24 volt vehicles. It can test and evaluate
starters, batteries, alternators, regulators, wiring connections, and other electrical equipment in the low voltage
circuits in the vehicle. Before operating this unit, thoroughly familiarize yourself with the safety instructions included in
this booklet and in the service manual.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Features....................................................................... 1
Safety instructions ....................................................... 2
Battery Load Tests....................................................... 3
Starter Tests ................................................................ 5
Charging System Tests ............................................... 5
Trouble Shooting Hints ................................................ 7
Assembly Instructions.................................................. 8
FEATURES OF THE B.E.S.T. INCLUDE:
Large, easy to read, LED digital AMPS and
VOLTS meters. The VOLTS meter reads voltages
to ±99.9 volts DC on the EXT position and up to
35.0 volts DC on the INT position. The AMPS
meter reads DC currents up to 999 amps.
The input impedance of the meters is 10 Meg
ohms for accurate testing of solid state circuits.
The carbon pile is rated 500 amps on 12 volt
batteries for load testing batteries up to 1000 CCA
capacity.
Curved carbon discs allow better low end
resolution of current and longer life.
AMPS ZERO ADJUST allows for maximum
accuracy in AMPS reading.
LOAD ON light indicates the carbon pile is
actuated and serves as a reminder to turn the load
off (full counter-clockwise position).
AMPS meter reads both + and - amps for easy
diagnosis of leakage current problems.
DEFECTIVE DIODE indicator light lets you know
when alternator output diodes or GM diode trios
have failed.
The electronic circuits are protected by a fuse
against excessive voltage inputs that will damage
the unit. LED indicators on the circuit board allow
for easy diagnosis of fuse or other problems.
The electronic circuits are protected against
reverse voltages caused by connecting leads
incorrectly.
The electronic circuit board has a protective
coating to prevent damage and meter inaccuracy
due to moisture and dirt.
BEST 6042
The FIELD selector switch is spring loaded and
always returns to an off position so there is no
power on the field lead when not in use.
The field wire (blue) is supplied to allow for
regulator trouble shooting. The lead may be
switched to negative (A) or positive (B) polarity
depending on the application. The lead has a
circuit breaker in it to prevent damage if
accidentally shorted out when in use.
Heavy duty leads are single extended so the may
be used for testing at points up to 15 feet apart.
The clamps on the heavy duty lead are vinyl
dipped and have a flexi-spring stain relief to
prevent cable damage. Solid copper jaws provide
better electrical conduction and are field
replaceable.
Heavy duty leads have internal tracer lead wires
for voltage readings where the clamps are
attached when the VOLTS switch is in the internal
(INT) position. These leads should not be
attached to any voltage source that could rise
above 35 VDC.
The light gauge voltage sensing leads (red and
black) have small test clips to allow testing at
points where the heavy duty leads can not reach.
Use the leads when the VOLTS switch is in the
external (EXT) position. The leads can test points
in a vehicle up to 15 feet apart and read voltages
up to 99.9 VDC.
The inductive AMPS PICKUP has 10 foot long
lead to allow for testing in hard to reach areas.
All leads are long enough to test trucks, "high-rise"
four wheel drive, or off road vehicles.
The cart has a long wheelbase for greater stability
when moved over rough surfaces or cracked
floors.
1
AMP
ADJUST
VOLTS AMPS
SAFETY INSTRUCTION
DEFECTIVE LOAD
DIODE ON
FIELD VOLTS
ASSOCIATED
LOAD ADJUST
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