:soap:
The equipment we had at Advance when I worked there could diagnose problems like a bad diode on the vehicle. There were three connections to be made for a test to be done properly. The positive terminal, then the negative terminal. With just those two connections we can test the power in the battery, and perform a load test based off the battery's listed CCA's. The we can proceed from there if everything tests ok with the battery by connecting an amp clamp around the negative battery cable, with the arrow indicated on the clamp facing the direction to the battery. Then we do a test with the vehicle running, no load on the system at low and higher RPM's, and again test the system loaded (AC on, High beams, Defroster fan) the same way. Once that test is complete we can perform a battery drain test. Anything over an amp draw with it all shut down was pretty suspect in my opinion. I would watch the meter step down over time on the battery draw after the vehicle was shut off. I would provide the customer with a diagnostic print out and recommend they have the system tested elsewhere as well rather than just take my word for it. 9 out of 10 times they would be back after the other tests to purchase the part we discussed.
As the manager, at my store priority one was making sure everyone knew how to use the equipment PROPERLY. On many site visits to other stores I would see employees out in the lot improperly testing things. Just before I left Advance (Wife took a job in CA, and no Advance out here so I had to leave) we had been setting up extensive company wide off-site training that was mandatory to be attended (paid of course) where we would meet with representatives from Johnson Controls (make most batteries and automotive systems) and learn how to properly use the test equipment (in store and out of store equip) which was a great help.
I know the the vast majority of parts counter monkeys don't do their job properly, but in most cases that is the fault of management not providing the required knowledge on how to use the tools we have at hand. But then again, some people just cannot be trained or simply refuse to be trained. :banghead: Those are the ones that show up for their daily 3 hour closing shift that are not happy to be there. I loved my job and loved being able to help people out with their car problems and did my best to get them out the door with everything they needed to do the job right the first time.
As for Optima batteries (made by Johnson Controls)... They work great, as long as they never get fully discharged. It was really rare that an Optima arrived in our store dead that could be revived. A standard acid filled battery could be brought back to life from dead sometimes via the use of a jump box and a slow trickle charge for about 2 days, but I never saw an Optima fully recover.
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