DescriptionYou count on your vehicle's ability to crank every time, so don't get left in
the dark by a dead car battery. The Argus BB-SMB12 Battery Bug Starting Battery
Monitor uses advanced CrankCheck technology to test the health of the battery every
time the engine is started, tracking the decay of cranking health over time. It
clearly indicates battery health on the easy-to-read display, and audibly alerts
you when performance begins to drop to dangerously low levels.
The Battery Bug is compact and easy to install.
Extend Battery Life by Avoiding Damaging Charge Conditions
It's a fact: any battery will naturally lose its charge over time, no matter if
it's in your daily driver or a garaged beauty. Once fully discharged, a battery
will start to permanently lose its overall capacity. This results in weaker performance,
even when fully recharged.
The Argus BB-SMB12 Battery Bug Starting Battery Monitor can significantly extend
your battery's life by monitoring its charge level. Its on-board microprocessor
continuously monitors decay in battery cranking performance and calculates your
battery's total state of cranking health. It also monitors alternator and charger
performance for damaging over-charge and under-charge conditions. If the battery
reaches a low state of charge, the Battery Bug will sound an audible alarm indicating
the need for recharge or replacement. Perfect for colder climates, the Battery Bug
also measures battery temperature and adjusts the cranking state of health alarm
for extreme low temperatures.
The display is easy to read and understand.
Intuitive Display and Alarms Provide a Clear Picture of Battery Health
The Battery Bug's information-packed LCD display shows critical battery
health and performance information that's easy to read and understand. A graphical
indication of cranking health remaining and the performance of the most recent engine
start appear at the top of the display. Below that is a numerical gauge that shows
cranking health remaining, battery voltage, and alternator/charger voltage. Low
Battery and Replace Battery icons at the bottom of the display indicate what actions
need to be taken when the audible alarm is active.
If the battery needs attention, the Battery Bug will alert you with its on-board
audible alarm. The Low Battery alarm will sound when a chronic undercharge condition
(below 12.1V for more than 30 seconds) is detected. An overcharge alarm will sound
when the alternator or charger voltage exceeds 15 Volts. Finally, the Replace Battery
alarm will activate if the cranking health of the battery drops below 10%.
Easy to Install in Any Vehicle
The Battery Bug comes equipped
with universal "Y" connectors that can be easily attached to most battery posts
or clamps. The Battery Bug can also be attached to remote battery terminals without
significantly affecting test results. It's engineered tough to survive under the
hood, and the coiled cables let you place it up to 18 inches away from the battery.
The Battery Bug consumes very little power--about the same amount as your vehicle's
digital clock--and will not adversely affect battery performance. The Battery Bug
can also be attached to two batteries in parallel, and the preferred installation
is to attach it diagonally across the pack. The black wire should attach to the
negative post at one end of the pack, and the red wire should attach to the positive
post at the other end of the pack.
The Battery Bug is easy to reset as well, just disconnect one of its wires and
the memory will be erased. It is recommended that you reset the Battery Bug if it
shows the Replace Battery icon. If the Replace Battery icon illuminates again at
the next attempted start, you can be confident that a battery replacement is justified.
Choosing the Battery Bug That's Right for You
The CrankCheck
and charge level monitoring software embedded in the Argus BB-SMB12 Battery Bug
Starting Battery Monitor is designed specifically for cars, light trucks, emergency
equipment, generators, and other starting batteries for engines typically larger
than 1500CC. For motorcycle, power sports equipment, and other small engine starting
batteries, choose the
Argus BB-SBM12-PS Battery Bug Battery Monitor for Motorcycles.
The Argus Battery Bug Deep Cycle Series is recommended for marine, RV, worksite,
and other heavy-duty applications that involve deep-cycle batteries. Choose the
BB-DCM12-300 for applications up to 300Ah, the
BB-DCM12-150 for applications up to 150Ah, or the
BB-DCM12-90 for applications up to 90Ah.
