In message , "Dave Plowman (News)"
writes
In article ,
wrote:
There are 2 requirements for a good battery: voltage & current. Terminal
voltage often tells enough, but not always. The other test is to touch
probes of a 1A meter to the battery for a fraction of a second, see how
fast the needle flies up. Digital meters generally can't do this. Keep
the probes on & you'll kill both meter & battery.

You'll most likely blow the fuse in the DVM if the battery can exceed the
current range.

And if the fuse is a 'special' (like in my Fluke) it's rather expensive.
[I think mine cost eight pounds.]
--
Ian