Need quick response, please

[Victor Tikhonov <vtikhono@lsil.com>]

Hello list,

I will have to pick up 28 YT optimas tomorrow at 8:00am
and the supplier allowed me to go through the batch of 260
delivered batteries to pick out most identical ones.

Other than picking obvious the same date code, I'm allowed
to use DVM to measure voltages. The problem is, I can't
use a load tester because terminals are capped (I can still
touch base of terminals to measure voltage though) and
I can't touch the caps (or batteries can't be sold as new).

My question is - does it make sense to at least put small
load (resistor between the leads) so when I touch and measure
volts, ~some~ current will flow. Would this be significantly
more accurate to pick the batteries with identical voltages
while loaded with even small (30 Ohm...50 Ohm) resistor
vs. just gauging open clamp voltage?

30 Ohm will produce about 12.6/30=420mA. I could use
lower value resistor, but the result may start getting skewed 
depending on how hard I press the test lead against the 
terminal posts.

Any suggestions before end of the day are appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Victor