Konnwei KW600 12 Volt Battery Analyzer

The KW600 uses conductance testing, so the battery can usually be checked while fitted to the vehicle and without applying the large external load used by an old-style load tester. The tester is powered directly by the connected battery and does not need internal batteries.

For a useful result, the correct battery type, rating standard and rated value from the battery label must be entered. Testing a 600 CCA battery as 800 CCA will produce a misleading health result.

Best Suited For

The KW600 suits home workshops, mobile mechanics, parts stores and vehicle owners who regularly investigate slow starting, flat batteries or charging complaints. It is useful for cars, motorcycles, boats and other equipment using compatible 12V lead-acid batteries.

Understanding the Result

A battery can show normal resting voltage but still have poor starting capacity. The measured CCA and internal resistance help identify this type of failure.

A Recharge result does not automatically mean the battery is faulty. It may be discharged because the vehicle has been left unused, a light was left on or the charging system is not keeping up. Charge the battery fully and retest before replacing it unless the tester identifies a clear failure.

A Replace result indicates that the measured starting performance is substantially below the entered battery rating or the internal condition is poor. The battery label and selected rating standard should be double-checked before acting on the result.

Cranking-System Test

The cranking test records how far battery voltage drops while the starter motor turns the engine and how long the cranking event lasts.

A large voltage drop may be caused by a weak battery, high starter current, poor cable connections or excessive mechanical resistance. The battery-health result should be considered alongside the cranking result before blaming the starter motor.

For a useful test, the battery should be in reasonable condition and the engine should be able to crank normally. A no-crank fault may require direct voltage-drop and current testing with other equipment.

Charging-System and Ripple Test

The charging test checks alternator output with the engine running and can assess charging voltage with electrical loads switched on. It helps identify undercharging, overcharging or unstable output.

The ripple test looks for excessive alternating-current content in the charging voltage. High ripple can indicate a failed alternator rectifier diode or another charging-system problem.

Modern smart-charging vehicles may vary alternator voltage deliberately according to battery condition, temperature and electrical demand. Results on these vehicles should be interpreted with the manufacturer’s charging strategy in mind.

Battery Rating Standards

The KW600 supports common rating systems including CCA, BCI, CA, MCA, JIS, DIN, IEC, EN and SAE. Select the same standard printed on the battery label and enter the stated value.

The listed measurement range is 100 to 2000 for CCA, BCI, CA, MCA, EN and SAE, with corresponding ranges for JIS, DIN and IEC batteries.

Voltage Graphing, Records and Printing

The colour screen can display real-time battery voltage as a waveform. This is useful for seeing voltage changes during testing rather than relying only on one number.

Test records can be stored and replayed. Results can also be transferred to a compatible Windows computer for printing through the Konnwei software and USB connection.

Basic Test Procedure

1. Switch the vehicle and electrical loads off.
2. Connect the red clamp to positive and the black clamp to negative.
3. Select whether the battery is in or out of the vehicle.
4. Select the correct battery construction and rating standard.
5. Enter the rating printed on the battery label.
6. Run the battery test, then follow the prompts for cranking and charging tests if required.

Good clamp contact matters. Dirty or loose terminals can distort the result, so connect to clean metal and retest if the reading appears inconsistent.