Ancel BST500 12V/24V 100-2000 CCA Automotive Battery Tester: More than just a battery tester

For most people, driving is a necessity of life. However, a blinking ‘check engine’ light makes most people panic. This doesn’t have to be the case.

Lots of people have spent hundreds of dollars for simple diagnostic checks only to be told everything was fine. This is why I decided to get the Ancel BST500 12V/24V 100-2000 CCA Automotive Battery Tester. And I am so glad that I did!

This is because this handy device is so much more than a battery tester. Read on to find out why I find it so amazing:

Easy to use

You only have to clip on the wires. And don’t worry---if you make a mistake clamping (like I did), the device won’t turn on. The best part is: you don’t need to take the battery out of the car!

Next you need to select the battery type. It should be clearly visible on the top of your battery. Then just press another button for the testing to start.

The backlit screen is very easy to read. I like how “Testing” shows up on the screen to assure you that data is being processed. You get the results in seconds!

Compact and Sturdy

The device comes in a handy carrying case that contains everything you need. The case is padded so you are assured that your device is well protected. It also has pockets / elastic bands to hold everything in place.

The Ancel BST500 12V/24V 100-2000 CCA Battery Tester may be small, but it is very sturdy. I especially like the ergonomics---how it feels in my hand. The size allows for a firm grip, even though my hands are tiny.

Multi-functional

The Ancel BST500 12V/24V 100-2000 CCA Battery Tester also runs simple diagnostics on your car system. After you’re done testing the battery, you can check out the options on the menu. You can start your engine and rev up your car, all with just a button.

And in case you forget the details of the testing you did, the Ancel BST500 12V/24V 100-2000 CCA Battery Tester also has an in-built printer function! You can also set the date and time in the settings menu. That way you won’t forget when you last did checked your car.

This last part is especially handy when you need to show test reports to your mechanic. This way you streamline time and effort needed to fix your car.

Compatibility

The Ancel BST500 12V/24V 100-2000 CCA Battery Tester is compatible with most types of batteries. You can choose your battery type onscreen before testing. After testing, it also allows for data export through a USB port.

The apparatus also comes with an OBDII cable. This is mainly for use with cars with major protocols. The Ancel BST500 12V/24V 100-2000 CCA Battery Tester is well matched with cars built after 1996.

Pros

The main asset of the Ancel BST500 12V/24V 100-2000 CCA Battery Tester is its compact size. This translates to portability. It is easy to stash this in your garage or in the boot of your car.

This convenience allows users to do on-the-spot checks in case of car emergencies. It aids swift decision-making processes. It also prepares the owner for how little or how big the work to be undertaken is.

Its user-friendly interface produces results that are easy to understand. Having simple terms such as good / replace eliminate the guesswork for non-mechanical people. However, it’s commendable that more technical information is also available and can be downloaded into your computer.

The Ancel BST500 12V/24V 100-2000 CCA Battery Tester saves you time and money by running several diagnostics tests. This makes it easier to pinpoint the problems of your car. Thus, your mechanic does not need to waste time analyzing different possibilities.

The testing time and the time spent on actual labor is cut. This results in cheaper mechanics fees.

This is one of the more low-priced devices on the market. But cheap price does not equate to cheap quality. This device offers real bang for your buck.

Another good point of the Ancel BST500 12V/24V 100-2000 CCA Battery Tester is its accuracy. The CCA readings from this device are more than comparable to heavy-duty (and bulkier) apparatus that most shops have.

The Ancel BST500 12V/24V 100-2000 CCA Battery Tester is truly a modern motorist’s dream. It simplifies hard-to-understand concepts and helps owners understand their vehicles better.

Cons

The only thing to criticize is the plastic lid of the printer on top. This seems to be the most fragile part of the device. Some customers have complained that the thermal paper sometimes gets stuck in it.

However, some people have solved this by connecting the device to their computer and downloading the data.

Product name	Ancel	Foxwell
Price	$54.99	$128.99
Ease of use	Very easy to use. It has a simple plug and play interface.	Instruction manual a bit hard to understand. Updates need to be downloaded and CD sometimes won’t load.
Tests	This device can test Capacity-Cold Cranking Amps (CCA), as well as other information integral to understanding battery health. Other tests include the internal resistance value (m), the current percentage of battery life, as well as the cranking and charging systems.	This device is able to perform a battery health test, cranking test, as well as charging system test.
Evaluation	Easy to use interface. Easy to read LCD display. The screen shows good / replace / bad cell, etc.	The LCD screen is easy to read, but it outputs codes, which need to be interpreted
Check engine light	This device can scan your car and tell you exactly why your light is blinking. It pinpoints the exact problem area.	This device can clear the codes and stop the blinking lights
Compatibility	Can mostly scan newer models, after 1996	Can scan both older and newer models
Others	Does not read air bag codes	Does not read air bag codes

A wide range of people can use this device. This applies to professionals, home mechanics, and even people who know almost nothing about cars.

Overall, this is a great buy for people who want to know what’s wrong with their car before approaching pricey mechanics. Being able to show the shop the printed results of the diagnostics tests save a lot of time and money. In addition, this device definitely makes it difficult for mechanics to run bogus bills and give you the runaround.

Now the blinking engine light doesn't have to cause terror. Because with the Ancel BST500 12V/24V 100-2000 CCA Battery Tester it is easier to test and diagnose what repairs need to be done.