AUTOMOTIVE BATTERIES

Battery function Battery parts Chemical actions Discharge cycle Charge cycle Battery ratings Battery Maintenance Charging Jumping Dead Batteries Safety Increasing battery life

Battery Safety
Acid Glasses Explosion

BATTERY FUNCTIONS
Provide electricity to start the engine*** Provide electrical power to the vehicle when the engine is off Help the alternator if the electrical load exceeds alternator capacity
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BATTERY CONSTRUCTION
PLATES. Separators, connectors, and Electrolyte Positive plates PbO2 Lead oxide Negative plates Pb-lead Separators Element Electrolyte H2SO4+H2O
Sulfuric acid and water Wet cell

Battery case (polypropylene) Terminals (+ LARGER & -) Two dissimilar metals May be charged after discharge

Battery Parts

Basic Battery

PLATE CONSTRUCTION
Positive plates and negative plates stacked next to each other. Separators do not allow plates to touch. More powerful batteries simply have more plates

BATTERY DISCHARGE CYCLE

Acid reacts with plate material Electrolyte increases in water content Positive and Negative plates form lead sulfate Negative terminal has excess electrons Positive terminal has a lack of electrons
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BATTERY CHARGE CYCLE

Alternator forces electrons back into the battery Lead sulfate breaks up Reforms into acid in the electrolyte Amount of water decreases in electrolyte Amount of acid increases in electrolyte
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Charge Indicators
Dot
good

Dark Green
recharge

Yellow
replace

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BATTERY RATINGS
Cold Cranking Amps
CCA

Reserve Capacity
RC

Watts Amp Hour Rating (old)

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Power VS. Temperature

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BATTERY MAINTENANCE
Remove battery Disconnect (-) first Clean Battery Case &Top Clean Battery Terminals Secure Battery Hold Down

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Clean Battery Case &Top

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Clean Battery Terminals

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Secure Battery Hold Down

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CHARGING & JUMPING

3rd

Proper Connections Slow Charge Trickle Charge Fast Charge (boost) Jumping Safety

1st

2nd

LAST

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10 - C 11 - B 12 - C 13 - A 14 - A 15 - C
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