Troubleshooting Nicad Batteries
- 1). Open the battery case if one is present. This may require the use of a small screwdriver or other tool on certain devices. Disconnect the Nicad battery or battery pack and remove it from the device.
- 2). Plug the Nicad battery or battery pack into a different device with the same connection type. This will determine whether the original device or the Nicad battery is the problem. Disconnect the battery or battery pack from the new device.
- 3). Examine the battery or battery pack for broken battery cases or loose wires in the case of multiple batteries wired together.
- 4). Turn on the multimeter and set the dial to read volts.
- 5). Touch the red multimeter prong to the positive side of the Nicad battery as indicated by the "+" sign at the top. Touch the black multimeter prong to the negative, or "-" side of the battery.
- 6). Read the display. The Nicad voltage should read 1.2 volts. Anything lower than 1 volt indicates that the battery is bad and needs to be replaced. Repeat this process for each remaining battery if applicable.
- 7). Change the multimeter dial to the milliamp hour (mAh) setting.
- 8). Touch the multimeter prongs to the battery terminals as described previously.
- 9). Read the display. If the milliamp hour output is less than 590, the battery needs to be replaced. Repeat this process with each Nicad present.
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