Model:    601B  
 
 
  SLA  Battery  Capacity  
 
 
Analyzer  
  USER  MANUAL  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
  
Safety  Summary  
The  following  safety  precautions  apply  to  both  operating  and  maintenance  personnel  and  must  be  followed  
during  all  phases  of  operation,  service,  and  repair  of  this  instrument.  
 

 
Before  applying  power  to  this  instrument:  
•   Read  and  understand  the  safety  and  operational  information  in  this  manual.    
•   Apply  all  the  listed  safety  precautions.    
•   Verify  that  the  voltage  selector  at  the  line  power  cord  input  is  set  to  the  correct  line  voltage.  Operating  
the  instrument  at  an  incorrect  line  voltage  will  void  the  warranty.  
•   Make  all  connections  to  the  instrument  before  applying  power.  
•   Do  not  operate  the  instrument  in  ways  not  specified  by  this  manual  or  by  B&K  Precision.  
 
Failure  to  comply  with  these  precautions  or  with  warnings  elsewhere  in  this  manual  violates  the  safety  
standards  of  design,  manufacture,  and  intended  use  of  the  instrument.  B&K  Precision  assumes  no  liability  for  a  
customer’s  failure  to  comply  with  these  requirements.  
 
Category  rating  
The  IEC  61010  standard  defines  safety  category  ratings  that  specify  the  amount  of  electrical  energy  available  
and  the  voltage  impulses  that  may  occur  on  electrical  conductors  associated  with  these  category  ratings.  The  
  2  
category  rating  is  a  Roman  numeral  of  I,  II,  III,  or  IV.  This  rating  is  also  accompanied  by  a  maximum  voltage  of  
the  circuit  to  be  tested,  which  defines  the  voltage  impulses  expected  and  required  insulation  clearances.  These  
categories  are:  
 
Category  I  (CAT  I):  Measurement  instruments  whose  measurement  inputs  are  not  intended  to  be  connected  to  
the  mains  supply.  The  voltages  in  the  environment  are  typically  derived  from  a  limited-­‐energy  transformer  or  a  
battery.  
 
Category  II  (CAT  II):  Measurement  instruments  whose  measurement  inputs  are  meant  to  be  connected  to  the  
mains  supply  at  a  standard  wall  outlet  or  similar  sources.  Example  measurement  environments  are  portable  
tools  and  household  appliances.  
 
Category  III  (CAT  III):  Measurement  instruments  whose  measurement  inputs  are  meant  to  be  connected  to  the  
mains  installation  of  a  building.  Examples  are  measurements  inside  a  building's  circuit  breaker  panel  or  the  
wiring  of  permanently-­‐installed  motors.  
Category  IV  (CAT  IV):  Measurement  instruments  whose  measurement  inputs  are  meant  to  be  connected  to  the  
primary  power  entering  a  building  or  other  outdoor  wiring.  

 
Do  not  use  this  instrument  in  an  electrical  environment  with  a  higher  category  rating  than  what  is  specified  in  
this  manual  for  this  instrument.  

 
  3  
You  must  ensure  that  each  accessory  you  use  with  this  instrument  has  a  category  rating  equal  to  or  higher  than  
the  instrument's  category  rating  to  maintain  the  instrument's  category  rating.  Failure  to  do  so  will  lower  the  
category  rating  of  the  measuring  system.  
 
Do  not  operate  in  an  explosive  or  flammable  atmosphere    

 
Do  not  operate  the  instrument  in  the  presence  of  flammable  gases  or  vapors,  fumes,  or  finely-­‐divided  
particulates.    
 

 
The  instrument  is  designed  to  be  used  in  office-­‐type  indoor  environments.  Do  not  operate  the  instrument    
•   In  the  presence  of  noxious,  corrosive,  or  flammable  fumes,  gases,  vapors,  chemicals,  or  finely-­‐divided  
particulates.  
•   In  relative  humidity  conditions  outside  the  instrument's  specifications.  
•   In  environments  where  there  is  a  danger  of  any  liquid  being  spilled  on  the  instrument  or  where  any  
liquid  can  condense  on  the  instrument.  
•   In  air  temperatures  exceeding  the  specified  operating  temperatures.  
•   In  atmospheric  pressures  outside  the  specified  altitude  limits  or  where  the  surrounding  gas  is  not  air.  
•   In  environments  with  restricted  cooling  air  flow,  even  if  the  air  temperatures  are  within  specifications.  
•   In  direct  sunlight.  
  4  
  

 
This  instrument  is  intended  to  be  used  in  an  indoor  pollution  degree  2  environment.  The  operating  
temperature  range  is  0  °C  to  40  °C  and  the  operating  humidity  range  is  ≤  95%  relative  humidity  with  no  
condensation  allowed.  
Measurements  made  by  this  instrument  may  be  outside  specifications  if  the  instrument  is  used  in  non-­‐office-­‐
type  environments.  Such  environments  may  include  rapid  temperature  or  humidity  changes,  sunlight,  vibration  
and/or  mechanical  shocks,  acoustic  noise,  electrical  noise,  strong  electric  fields,  or  strong  magnetic  fields.  
Do  not  operate  instrument  if  damaged  

If  the  instrument  is  damaged,  appears  to  be  damaged,  or  if  any  liquid,  chemical,  or  other  
material  gets  on  or  inside  the  instrument,  remove  the  instrument's  power  cord,  remove  the  instrument  from  
service,  label  it  as  not  to  be  operated,  and  return  the  instrument  to  B&K  Precision  for  repair.  Notify  B&K  
Precision  of  the  nature  of  any  contamination  of  the  instrument.  
Clean  the  instrument  only  as  instructed  

 
Do  not  clean  the  instrument,  its  switches,  or  its  terminals  with  contact  cleaners,  abrasives,  lubricants,  solvents,  
acids/bases,  or  other  such  chemicals.  Clean  the  instrument  only  with  a  clean  dry  lint-­‐free  cloth  or  as  instructed  
in  this  manual.  
Not  for  critical  applications  
  5  
  
This  instrument  is  not  authorized  for  use  in  contact  with  the  human  body  or  for  use  as  a  component  in  a  life-­‐
support  device  or  system.  
Do  not  touch  live  circuits  

 
Instrument  covers  must  not  be  removed  by  operating  personnel.  Component  replacement  and  internal  
adjustments  must  be  made  by  qualified  service-­‐trained  maintenance  personnel  who  are  aware  of  the  hazards  
involved  when  the  instrument's  covers  and  shields  are  removed.  Under  certain  conditions,  even  with  the  power  
cord  removed,  dangerous  voltages  may  exist  when  the  covers  are  removed.  To  avoid  injuries,  always  
disconnect  the  power  cord  from  the  instrument,  disconnect  all  other  connections  (for  example,  test  leads,  
computer  interface  cables,  etc.),  discharge  all  circuits,  and  verify  there  are  no  hazardous  voltages  present  on  
any  conductors  by  measurements  with  a  properly-­‐operating  voltage-­‐sensing  device  before  touching  any  
internal  parts.  Verify  the  voltage-­‐sensing  device  is  working  properly  before  and  after  making  the  measurements  
by  testing  with  known-­‐operating  voltage  sources  and  test  for  both  DC  and  AC  voltages.  Do  not  attempt  any  
service  or  adjustment  unless  another  person  capable  of  rendering  first  aid  and  resuscitation  is  present.    
Do  not  insert  any  object  into  an  instrument's  ventilation  openings  or  other  openings.  
 
Servicing  

 
  6  
Do  not  substitute  parts  that  are  not  approved  by  B&K  Precision  or  modify  this  instrument.  Return  the  
instrument  to  B&K  Precision  for  service  and  repair  to  ensure  that  safety  and  performance  features  are  
maintained.    
 
For  continued  safe  use  of  the  instrument  
•   Do  not  place  heavy  objects  on  the  instrument.  
•   Do  not  obstruct  cooling  air  flow  to  the  instrument.  
•   Do  not  place  a  hot  soldering  iron  on  the  instrument.  
 

  7  
Table  of  Contents  
 
Section  1  General  Description  .................................................................................................................................  9  
1.1  INTRODUCTION  .............................................................................................................................................  9  
1.2  APPLICATIONS  ...............................................................................................................................................  9  
1.3  SPECIFICATIONS  .............................................................................................................................................  9  
Section  2  Operation  ..............................................................................................................................................  10  
2.1  Front  Panel  Controls  ....................................................................................................................................  10  
2.2  Operating  Procedure  ...................................................................................................................................  11  
Service  Information  ..............................................................................................................................................  14  
Limited  One-­‐Year  Warranty  .................................................................................................................................  15  
 

 
 

  8  
Section  1  General  Description  
1.1  INTRODUCTION  
B&K   Precision   Battery   Capacity   Analyzer   Model   601B   measures  the  terminal  voltage,  internal  resistance,  and   percent   of   charged   capacity  
left  in  a  battery.    
The   model   601B   supports   6V   &   12V   storage   type   lead   acid   batteries   with   wide   range   of   Ah   capacity.   No   external   power   (Mains   or   DC)   is  
required.  The  unit  w orks  o n  the  BUT  (Battery  U nder  Test)  p ower.  

1.2  APPLICATIONS  
As   the   information   age   develops   it   is   likely   that   the   demand   for   UPS   units   will   increase   for   use   in   hospitals,   offices,   labs   etc.   It   is   expected   that  
the  importance  of  battery  maintenance  will  increase  along  with  increasing  demand  for  UPS.  
 
The  601B  can  be  applicable  for  Automobile  Service  Stations,  UPS  Manufacturing,  Maintenance  and  Field  Servicing,  QC  Department,  Battery  
Systems  in  Railways,  Telecommunications,  Ships  /  Submarine.  
 

1.3  SPECIFICATIONS  
 
Voltage  R anges:  6V,  12V  automatically  selected     Max.  Input  Voltage:  20V  
Display:  i)  C apacity  0%  t o  100%.     Measurable  A h  S election:  Programmable  5-­‐100Ah  in  steps  of  1Ah.  
   ii)  No  l oad  Voltage  &  l oaded  Voltage.    
  No  Load  Voltage  Accuracy:  ± 0.2%  ± 1  counts.  
   iii)  Internal  R esistance.  
 
Min.  Input  Voltage:  4 .8V     Voltage  Resolution:  1 0mV.  
   
Dimensions  ( WxHxD):  2.91  x  1 0.44  x  2.28”  
NOTE:    Specifications  and  information  are  subject  to  change  without  notice.  
Please  visit  www.bkprecision.com  for  the  most  current  product  information.  
                     ( 74  x   2 6 5 . 1   x   5 8 m m )  
Weight:  2.65lb  ( 1.2  kg)  

  9  
Section  2  Operation  
 

2.1  Front  Panel  Controls  

1.   Power  /  Select:  Powers  on  unit  after  connecting  to  BUT.  Also  used  to  select  Ah  seting.  
After  activation  user  can  select  the  Ah  values  as  per  BUT  rating  using  this  key.  
2.   Up:  This  key  is  used  to  increase  the  Ah  values.  
3.   Down:  With  this  key,  the  user  can  decrease  the  Ah  values.  
4.   Test:  On  pressing  this  key  the  measurement  will  begin.  
5.   Repeat  Test:  This  key  is  used  to  repeat  previously  performed  test.  
6.   Reverse  Polarity  LED:  This  LED  glows  when  the  battery  is  reverse  connected.  
7.   LCD  :  This  is  16x2  line  alphanumeric  display.  It  displays  various  messages  &  results  of  tests  
as  per  Ah  value  selected.  
8.   -­‐ve  Cable:    Negative  connecting  cable  with  strain  relief.  
9.   +ve  Cable:  Positive  connecting  cable  with  strain  relief.  
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 

  10  
2.2  Operating  Procedure  
Follow  the  steps  as  outlined  below:    
2.2.1  Connection  Procedure  
Connect   Battery   Capacity   Analyzer   (601B)   to   Battery   Under   Test   (BUT).   Connect   the   +ve   terminal   of   601B   to   +ve   terminal   of   Battery.  
Connect  -­‐ve  terminal  of  601B  to  -­‐ve  terminal  of  Battery.  The  601B  will  be  powered  by  the  BUT.  To  power  on  the  unit,  press  &  hold  the  POWER  
key.  On  Power  up,  601B  performs  a  memory  test  &  displays  open  circuit  voltage  on  LCD.  
CAUTION  :  Do  not  connect  the  +ve  terminal  of  601B  to  -­‐ve  terminal  of  BUT  and  -­‐ve  terminal  of  601B  to  +ve  terminal  of  BUT.  On  doing  so,  the  
'Reverse  Polarity'  LED  glows.  
2.2.2  Operation  Procedure  
On  Power  up,  following  screens  will  appear.  
BK-­‐PRECISION  
BK-­‐601B  
 
Next  the  unit  goes  the  memory  test.  
Following  message  will  be  displayed.  
MEMORY  TEST……  
 
If  memory  test  is  OK.  
FOUND  PREVIOUS  
SETTINGS  
If  the  memory  test  fails:  
NO  SETTINGS  FOUND  
LOADING  DEFAULTS  
 
If  the  flash  memory  is  corrupted,  following  
Message  is  displayed:  

  11  
 INT  MEMORY  ERROR  
LOADING  DEFAULTS  
 
Next  screen  directs  the  user  to  the  menu  to  select  the  sub-­‐menu.  The  battery  is  auto-­‐sensed  &  the  defaults  are  loading  accordingly.  
After  memory  test,  the  open  circuit  voltage  is  displayed  on  the  first  line  of  LCD,  the  required  Ah  value  can  be  selected  using  up  &  down  keys.  
OPEN  CKT:  12.53V  
SELECT  Ah:  028  
On  selecting  the  required  Ah  value,  press  Select  Ah  &  then  press  the  TEST  key,  the  measurements  will  begin  &  following  message  is  displayed.  
Backlight  will  switch  off  during  the  test.  
TEST  INPROGRESS  
12.53V              028AH  
 
 
The  results  will  be  displayed  as  follows.  
12.37V            61.87%CAP  
IR:                      39.2  m Ohm  
 
 
The  first  field  indicates  the  battery  terminal  voltage  when  battery  was  loaded  during  the  test;  the  second  field  shows  the  balance  capacity  in  
percentage.  IR  indicates  the  internal  resistance  in  milli-­‐ohms.  
After  the  test,  follows  a  cooling  period  of  approximately  15  seconds.  If  user  tries  to  perform  a  test  during  this  period,  the  following  message  is  
displayed.  
TO  BEGIN  N EXT  
SESSION,  W AIT….  
 
In  case  the  open  circuit  voltage  of  BUT  exceeds  14.8V,  the  following  screen  will  be  continuously  flashed  &  you  will  not  be  able  to  enter  the  test  
mode.  
X  H IGH  V OLTAGE  X  
REMOTE  BATTERY  
 
  12  
Once  the  test  period  elapses  the  following  screen  will  be  displayed.  
OPEN  CKT:  12.53V  
SELECT  A h:  028  
 
To  start  a  new  test,  press  SELECT  Ah  key  &  in  order  to  repeat  the  same  test,  press  TEST  REPEAT  key.  
To  prevent  unnecessary  discharge  of  BUT,  the  unit  will  switch  off  automatically  after  5  minutes  of  non-­‐operational  period.  
 
 
 

 
1)   Do  not  connect  Model  601B  to  a  voltage  source  more  than  20V.  
2)   Do  not  connect  the  unit  to  a  battery  connected  in  circuit.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

  13  
 Service  Information  
 
Warranty  Service:    Please  go  to  the  support  and  service  section  on  our  website  at  www.bkprecision.com  to  obtain  a  RMA  #.  Return  the  product  in  
the  original  packaging  with  proof  of  purchase  to  the  address  below.    Clearly  state  on  the  RMA  the  performance  problem  and  return  any  leads,  
probes,  connectors  and  accessories  that  you  are  using  with  the  device.  
Non-­‐Warranty  Service:    Please  go  to  the  support  and  service  section  on  our  website  at  www.bkprecision.com  to  obtain  a  RMA  #.  Return  the  product  
in  the  original  packaging  to  the  address  below.  Clearly  state  on  the  RMA  the  performance  problem  and  return  any  leads,  probes,  connectors  and  
accessories  that  you  are  using  with  the  device.  Customers  not  on  an  open  account  must  include  payment  in  the  form  of  a  money  order  or  credit  
card.  For  the  most  current  repair  charges  please  refer  to  the  service  and  support  section  on  our  website.  
 
Return  all  merchandise  to  B&K  Precision  Corp.  with  prepaid  shipping.  The  flat-­‐rate  repair  charge  for  Non-­‐Warranty  Service  does  not  include  return  
shipping.  Return  shipping  to  locations  in  North  America  is  included  for  Warranty  Service.  For  overnight  shipments  and  non-­‐North  American  shipping  
fees  please  contact  B&K  Precision  Corp.  
 
B&K  Precision  Corp.  
22820  Savi  Ranch  Parkway  
Yorba  Linda,  CA  92887  
www.bkprecision.com  
714-­‐921-­‐9095  
 
Include  with  the  returned  instrument  your  complete  return  shipping  address,  contact  name,  phone  number  and  description  of  problem.  
 
 
 
 
 

  14  
  
Limited  One-­‐Year  Warranty  
 
B&K  Precision  Corp.  warrants  to  the  original  purchaser  that  its  products  and  the  component  parts  thereof,  will  be  free  from  defects  in  workmanship  
and  materials  for  a  period  of  one  year  from  date  of  purchase.  
 
B&K  Precision  Corp.  will,  without  charge,  repair  or  replace,  at  its  option,  defective  product  or  component  parts.  Returned  product  must  be  
accompanied  by  proof  of  the  purchase  date  in  the  form  of  a  sales  receipt.  
 
To  help  us  better  serve  you,  please  complete  the  warranty  registration  for  your  new  instrument  via  our  website  www.bkprecision.com  
 
Exclusions:  This  warranty  does  not  apply  in  the  event  of  misuse  or  abuse  of  the  product  or  as  a  result  of  unauthorized  alterations  or  repairs.  The  
warranty  is  void  if  the  serial  number  is  altered,  defaced  or  removed.  
 
B&K  Precision  Corp.  shall  not  be  liable  for  any  consequential  damages,  including  without  limitation  damages  resulting  from  loss  of  use.  Some  states  
do  not  allow  limitations  of  incidental  or  consequential  damages.  So  the  above  limitation  or  exclusion  may  not  apply  to  you.  
 
This  warranty  gives  you  specific  rights  and  you  may  have  other  rights,  which  vary  from  state-­‐to-­‐state.  
 
B&K  Precision  Corp.  
22820  Savi  Ranch  Parkway  
Yorba  Linda,  CA  92887  
www.bkprecision.com  
714-­‐921-­‐9095  
 
 
 
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B&K  Precision  Corporation    
22820  Savi  Ranch  Parkway  
Yorba  Linda,  California  92887  
www.bkprecision.com  
 
©2015  B&K  Precision  Corporation  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Printed  in  Taiwan  
082615                          
 

 
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