Battery testing aid

[mklotz]

I sometimes get stuck with the task of sorting out dead batteries from a box of mixed types. [Don't ask; it's sort of a charity task.] I could use a real battery tester but I'd die of ennui so I only check the voltage. Most of the dead batteries are sufficiently deceased that a voltage check is sufficient determination.

If you've ever tried to test a battery using the two voltmeter leads you'll soon learn that you require three hands. I first solved this problem by laying a sheet of aluminum foil on the bench, threading one of the probe tips through it several times. Then one hand holds the battery on the foil and the other hand applies the other probe to the top of the battery.

The probe tip to foil connection was always a bit dodgy so I attached a wire with an alligator clip to a small piece of copper plate. Clip one lead to the plate and proceed as above.