Limitations of the inTELLECT
EXP-1000
Despite the inTELLECT EXP-1000’s tremen-
dous capabilities, it does have some minor
limitations:
1 You are limited by cable length. The
length of circuit you can test is only
about 18 feet (5.5 m), which is the com-
bined length of the unit’s two cables.
Midtronics states that extending the
cables can result in a loss of signal
strength, which might affect the micro-
processor algorithms. Happily, 18 feet is
sufficient for most circuits.
2 You must know the circuit’s amperage.
The EXP requires you to enter the cir-
cuit’s amperage value. Acquiring the
amperage value for a given circuit means
you have to know the current rating for a
particular appliance in the circuit. Look
for the rating on a plate on the appliance
testing batteries, charging systems, and starter circuits 35or in the manufacturer’s installation man-
ual or specification sheet.
Note: It’s a good idea to log this infor-
mation and update it when you add or
swap a piece of AC or DC equipment.
You’ll be prepared for future circuit
troubleshooting.
3 If the correct current draw is not known,
some preliminary work is needed to make
sure the inTELLECT is programmed for
the correct amperage (see page 30).Value and Utility
In addition to all the above-mentioned func-
tions, the inTELLECT EXP-1000 can also act
as a simple multimeter for general electrical
work around the boat—a handy feature,
although hardly enough on its own to justify
the investment in this type of instrument.
In my opinion, the inTELLECT EXP-
1000 provides more functionality than the
Micro500XL. Although the Micro500XL per-
forms a good battery test, it may not be as pre-
cise in its evaluation of very large (8D-sized)
AGM and gel-cell batteries. Additionally, the
inTELLECT EXP-1000’s voltage drop testing
capabilities are a major breakthrough.
The typical boatowner would be served
well by the Micro500XL, but for the advanced
professional technician, I strongly recommend
the inTELLECT EXP-1000. It can generate
useful troubleshooting data more readily than
any other method. It may, however, give the
average boatowner more information than he
or she needs.
Although I am not aware of other devices
similar to the inTELLECT EXP-1000, con-
ductance battery testers comparable to the
Micro500XL are available from a number of
sources, including Snap-on and OTC (see
page 16). The offerings of these and other
companies may be of equal utility and value,The results screen for a tested circuit. It shows the total volt-
age drop and the separate drops on the positive (0.04 V)
and negative (0.11 V) sides of the circuit. These are typical
low-voltage readings and well below the 3% maximum
value you should see at the main power supply circuit.
3