BatteriesBatteries

The purpose of the battery The purpose of the battery is to act as a reservoir for is to act as a reservoir for

storing electricity.storing electricity.

VocabularyVocabulary

1.1. Positive plate group 12.ElementPositive plate group 12.Element

2.2. Negative plate group 13.CCANegative plate group 13.CCA

3.3. Separators 14.Reserve capacitySeparators 14.Reserve capacity

4.4. Case 15.Deep-cycleCase 15.Deep-cycle

5.5. Cell dividers Cell dividers 16.Maintain-free battery 16.Maintain-free battery

6.6. Element rest Element rest 17.Sulfation 17.Sulfation

7.7. Cell connector straps Cell connector straps

8.8. ElectrolyteElectrolyte

9.9. Cold cranking ratingCold cranking rating

10.10. Load testLoad test

11.11. Specific gravity Specific gravity

Batteries use a Batteries use a chemical means to chemical means to produce electricity.produce electricity.

Primary vs. Secondary Primary vs. Secondary BatteriesBatteries

Primary: non-rechargeable. Primary: non-rechargeable. Examples: flashlights, calculators, smoke alarmsExamples: flashlights, calculators, smoke alarms

Secondary: discharged and recharged Secondary: discharged and recharged repeatedly. Can be done by reversing the repeatedly. Can be done by reversing the normal current flow through the battery. normal current flow through the battery. The automobile battery is a secondary The automobile battery is a secondary battery.battery.

At some point the plate material will be At some point the plate material will be damaged through the charging & dis-damaged through the charging & dis-charging process and the batteries life will charging process and the batteries life will end. end.

Battery CellBattery Cell

Stores chemical energy for later use.Stores chemical energy for later use. Consist of four components:Consist of four components:

Positive platePositive plate

Negative plateNegative plate

Separators Separators

Electrolyte solution ( 40% Acid 60% water Electrolyte solution ( 40% Acid 60% water ))

All four components produce All four components produce electricity when placed together.electricity when placed together.

40% acid - 60% water

Parts of a typical lead/acid Parts of a typical lead/acid batterybattery

Grid is manufactured as the base of the positive & Grid is manufactured as the base of the positive & negative plates. negative plates.

The active materials( lead peroxide & sponge lead) are The active materials( lead peroxide & sponge lead) are manufactured and spread on the grid. The result is a manufactured and spread on the grid. The result is a completed plate.completed plate.

Connectors assemble the plates into a Element. Connectors assemble the plates into a Element. +/- Elements are connected and placed in a plastic +/- Elements are connected and placed in a plastic

container . This is one cell. It produces approx 2 volts container . This is one cell. It produces approx 2 volts in a car battery. A one piece cover is placed on top of in a car battery. A one piece cover is placed on top of the case to seal all the cells. The battery posts tie all the case to seal all the cells. The battery posts tie all the cells together.the cells together.

The electrolyte is added and the vent caps are installed The electrolyte is added and the vent caps are installed Vents allow gasses to escape during charging/dis-Vents allow gasses to escape during charging/dis-

charging.charging.

Battery LifeBattery Life

Every time a battery is charged, then Every time a battery is charged, then discharged it is called a cycle. The more discharged it is called a cycle. The more the battery is dis-charged or recharged the battery is dis-charged or recharged the deeper the cycle. the deeper the cycle. Each cycle removes Each cycle removes a small amount of plate material.a small amount of plate material. This This material deposits in the bottom of the material deposits in the bottom of the battery and can short the plates if to battery and can short the plates if to much accumulates . Deep cycling is very much accumulates . Deep cycling is very damaging to a battery. damaging to a battery. A constant voltage A constant voltage is best to help a battery have a long life.is best to help a battery have a long life.

Chemical ActionChemical Action

Occurs inside the battery cell. During Occurs inside the battery cell. During discharging or when a load is applied.discharging or when a load is applied.

The lead peroxide is separated, the sulfuric The lead peroxide is separated, the sulfuric acid and water are separatedacid and water are separated

Sulfate combines with the negative plate Sulfate combines with the negative plate sponge lead, sulfate combines with the lead sponge lead, sulfate combines with the lead part of the positive plate, oxygen combines part of the positive plate, oxygen combines with hydrogen left from electrolyte.with hydrogen left from electrolyte.

If battery continues to be discharged the lead If battery continues to be discharged the lead will sulfate and the electrolyte will become will sulfate and the electrolyte will become water.water.

Explosion HazardExplosion Hazard/ / ChargingCharging

The more rapidly a battery is charged or The more rapidly a battery is charged or discharged the greater the possibility of discharged the greater the possibility of producing hydrogen gases which are very producing hydrogen gases which are very explosive.explosive.

Keep any sparks or open flame away from a Keep any sparks or open flame away from a battery that is being charged or discharged.battery that is being charged or discharged.

Always charge batteries in a well vented room.Always charge batteries in a well vented room. A battery can be fast charged in around an hour A battery can be fast charged in around an hour

but, this is very hard on the plate material.but, this is very hard on the plate material. Slow charging a battery over 12 to 24 hours at Slow charging a battery over 12 to 24 hours at

around 1 amp is the best method. around 1 amp is the best method.

Battery can explode!Battery can explode!

RatingsRatings CCA :CCA : The amperage (multiplied by 3) a battery The amperage (multiplied by 3) a battery

can deliver at 0 degrees F for a period pf 30 can deliver at 0 degrees F for a period pf 30 seconds. During this time the cell voltage cannot seconds. During this time the cell voltage cannot drop below 1.2 volts, or the total battery voltage drop below 1.2 volts, or the total battery voltage below 10 volts. Example: battery delivers 150 below 10 volts. Example: battery delivers 150 amps for 30 sec @ 10 volts. CCA is 150 x 3 = amps for 30 sec @ 10 volts. CCA is 150 x 3 = 450cca (cold cranking amperes).450cca (cold cranking amperes).

The The reserve capacityreserve capacity rating is defined as the rating is defined as the number of minutes a battery can be discharged number of minutes a battery can be discharged at 25 amperes and still maintain a minimum at 25 amperes and still maintain a minimum voltage of 1.75 volts per cell or 10.5 volts.voltage of 1.75 volts per cell or 10.5 volts.

A typical reserve capacity rating might be 125 A typical reserve capacity rating might be 125 minutes.minutes.

Battery Testing -Battery Testing - hydrometerhydrometer

Hydrometer is used to measure the specific Hydrometer is used to measure the specific gravity of batteries that have filter caps.gravity of batteries that have filter caps.

Determines the density of the electrolyte. Determines the density of the electrolyte. The heavier or denser the electrolyte the The heavier or denser the electrolyte the grater the percentage of acid.grater the percentage of acid.

The lighter or less dense the electrolyte The lighter or less dense the electrolyte the less the percentage of acid.the less the percentage of acid.

If the electrolyte is denser the float inside If the electrolyte is denser the float inside the hydrometer will not sink as deep into the hydrometer will not sink as deep into the solution.the solution.

Battery TestingBattery Testing Specific gravity reading must be changed to Specific gravity reading must be changed to

compensate for temperature.compensate for temperature. For each 10 degrees above 80 degrees F, 0.004 For each 10 degrees above 80 degrees F, 0.004

points must be added to the specific gravity points must be added to the specific gravity reading. For every 10 degrees below 80 degrees reading. For every 10 degrees below 80 degrees F, 0.004 points must be subtracted from the F, 0.004 points must be subtracted from the measured specific gravity.measured specific gravity.

Typical fully charged batt specific gravity: 1.260Typical fully charged batt specific gravity: 1.260 Typical dead batt specific gravity: 1.120Typical dead batt specific gravity: 1.120 Batteries loose 40% on their CCA @ 32 DegreesBatteries loose 40% on their CCA @ 32 Degrees

Load TestingLoad Testing

The best way to test any Battery is The best way to test any Battery is with a VAT load tester.with a VAT load tester.

Maintenance free or sealed batteries Maintenance free or sealed batteries must be tested with a load tester. must be tested with a load tester.

You will need to know the CCA You will need to know the CCA before programming the VAT .before programming the VAT .

Generally most car batteries will Generally most car batteries will have 150 – 200 AMP’s at 10 volts. have 150 – 200 AMP’s at 10 volts.

Battery Term/Clamp Battery Term/Clamp maintenancemaintenance

Dirty battery terminals restrict the heavy flow of Dirty battery terminals restrict the heavy flow of electricity, during starting, from the terminal to the electricity, during starting, from the terminal to the battery clamp.battery clamp.

Sulfuric acid will damage metal, paint clothing, ect.Sulfuric acid will damage metal, paint clothing, ect. Corrosion can build up on the top and side type Corrosion can build up on the top and side type

battery terminals.battery terminals. A voltmeter can be used to check the conditions of A voltmeter can be used to check the conditions of

the battery post and connector.the battery post and connector. To repair battery terminal clamps, To repair battery terminal clamps, neutralize all acidneutralize all acid

with baking soda & waterwith baking soda & water, remove the clamps, cut off , remove the clamps, cut off the old clamp and strip about ¾ inch of insulation the old clamp and strip about ¾ inch of insulation from the cable, clean the copper wire strands and from the cable, clean the copper wire strands and install a top or side mounted replacement clamp or install a top or side mounted replacement clamp or terminal.terminal.

Causes high resistanceCauses high resistance.

If Battery electrolyte is low If Battery electrolyte is low add distilled water to the add distilled water to the individual cell. Do Not Over individual cell. Do Not Over Fill!!!Fill!!!

Corrosion can be neutralized Corrosion can be neutralized with Baking soda & water.with Baking soda & water.

http://focus.noegruts.com/battery/battery.htm Battery maintenance proceduresBattery maintenance procedures

Maintenance free Maintenance free batterysbatterys

Maintenance Free Maintenance Free batterys are not batterys are not vented & cannot be vented & cannot be filled.filled.

They are constructed They are constructed so they produce little so they produce little or no gas.or no gas.

They do not like to They do not like to be over charged or be over charged or completely completely discharged.discharged.

Using Jumper CablesUsing Jumper Cables Make sure engine for good battery is on.Make sure engine for good battery is on. Connect the positive terminal of the discharged Connect the positive terminal of the discharged

battery to the positive terminal of the good battery.battery to the positive terminal of the good battery. The negative cable should be connected between the The negative cable should be connected between the

negative terminal on the good battery and a good negative terminal on the good battery and a good engine block ground to avoid sparks around or near engine block ground to avoid sparks around or near the battery.the battery.

Now run the engine of the vehicle with a live battery Now run the engine of the vehicle with a live battery for 2-5 min to charge the battery in the dead vehicle.for 2-5 min to charge the battery in the dead vehicle.

Now start the vehicle with a dead battery.Now start the vehicle with a dead battery. Reverse the directions exactly when removing the Reverse the directions exactly when removing the

jumper cables.jumper cables. (engine block connection removed first)(engine block connection removed first)

Jumper cables

Good luck on your Good luck on your Battery Test!Battery Test!