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Sector:: Automotive/Land Transport Sector
Sector:: Automotive/Land Transport Sector
Qualification:
Automotive Servicing NC-II
Unit of Competency:
Service Automotive Battery
If you can demonstrate to your trainer that you are competent in a particular
skill or skills talk to him/her about having them formally recognized so you won’t
have to do the same training again. If you have qualifications or a Certificate of
Competency from previous trainings, show it to your trainer. If the skills you
acquired are still relevant to this module, they may become part of the evidence you
can present for RPL.
This module was prepared to help you achieve the required competency in
Service Automotive Battery. This will be one of the sources of information that will
enable you to acquire the knowledge and skills of this particular trade at your own
pace, with minimum supervision or help from your trainer.
Date Developed: Document No.
Nov. 2011
PTS-TESDA Issued by:
QA Servicing Page 2 of 18
SYSTEM Automotive Developed by:
Battery HERMINIO Revision # 00
PEDROSO
Talk to your trainer and agree on how you will both organize the
training of this module. Read through the Competency Based
Learning Material carefully. It is divided into sections which cover all
the skills and knowledge you need to successfully complete this
module.
Most probably your trainer will also be your supervisor or manager.
He /She is there to support you the correct way to do thing. Ask for
help.
Your trainer will tell you about the important things you need to
consider when you are completing the activities and it is important
that you listen and take notes.
You will be given plenty of opportunities to ask questions and practice
on the job
Make sure you practice your new skills during regular work shifts. This
way you will improve both your speed and memory and also your
confidence.
Talk to more experienced workmates and ask for their guidance.
Use the self-check questions at the end of each section to test your
own progress.
When you are ready, ask your trainer to watch you perform the
activities outlined in this learning material.
As you work through the activities, ask for written feedback on your
progress. Your trainer keeps feedback/pre-assessment reports for this
reason. When you have successfully completed each element, ask
your trainer to mark on the reports that you are ready for assessment.
When you have completed this module and feel confident that you
have had sufficient practice, your trainer will arrange an appointment
with registered assessor to assess you. The results f your assessment
will be recorded in your competency Achievement Record.
Learning Experiences
Learning Outcome I, 2-and 3
Test Automotive battery, Remove and Replace batteries, Service and charge
batteries
Learning Activity Special Instructions
2. Answer Self –Check no. Compare Answers with the answer key. You are
required to get all answers correct. If not, read the
1.1 Answer job sheet
information sheet again to answer all questions
No.1-1 correctly.
3. Read information Sheet
no. 2 for LO2 Remove
and replace batteries,
LO3 Service and charge
batteries .
4.Perform Job Sheet Evaluate your own work using the performance
no.1,2,3 criteria. Present your work to your trainer for
evaluation and recording.
5.Answer self- Check no.2 Compare your answers with the answer key.
and Self-Check no. 3
BATTERYTESTING
Testing batteries is an important part of electrical system service. Depending on the
design of the battery, state of charge and capacity can be determined in several
ways; specific gravity tests, visual inspection of batteries with a built-in hydrometer,
open circuit voltage tests, capacity test, and capacitance test.
SpecificGravityTests
On unsealed batteries, the specific gravity of the electrolyte can be measured to give
a fairly good indication of the battery’s state of charge. A hydrometer (Figure 17-
19) consists of glass tube or barrel, rubber bulb, rubber tube, and a glass float or
hydrometer with a scale built into its upper stem. The glass encases the float and
forms a reservoir for the test electrolyte. Squeezing the bulb pulls electrolyte in to
the reservoir for the test electrolyte. Squeezing the bulb pulls electrolyte into the
reservoir.
Figure 17-20 (A) When the scale sinks in the electrolyte, the specific gravity is low;
(B) when it floats high, the specific gravity is high.
The electrolyte of a fully charged battery is usually about 64% water and 36%
sulphuric acid, which corresponds to a specific gravity of 1 270. Specific gravity is
the weight of a given volume of any liquid divided by the weight of an equal volume
of water. Pure water has a specific gravity of 1 000, while battery electrolyte should
have a specific gravity of 1 260 to 1 280 at 800F (26.70C) in other words, the
electrolyte should be 1 260 to 1 280 times heavier than water.
Date Developed: Document No.
Nov. 2011
PTS-TESDA Issued by:
QA Servicing Page 7 of 18
SYSTEM Automotive Developed by:
Battery HERMINIO Revision # 00
PEDROSO
The specific gravity of the electrolyte decreases as the battery discharges. This is
why measuring the specific gravity of the electrolyte with a hydrometer can be good
indicator of how much charge a battery has lost. Table 17-1 lists specific gravity
readings is various stages of charge with respect to a battery’s ability to crank an
engine at a temperature of 80oC (26.7oC).
CAUTION!
Figure 17-25 Measure open circuit voltage across battery terminals using voltmeter
If the open circuit voltage test indicates a charges of below 75% of full charge,
recharge the battery and perform the capacity test to determine battery condition.
11.7 or less 0%
The procedure for performing a battery drain test varies according to the
manufacturer. However, battery drain can often be observed by connecting an
ammeter in series with the negative cable or by placing the inductive ammeter lead
around the negative cable. If the meter reads 0.25 or more amps, there is
excessive drain. Visually checked the trunk, glove box, and under hood lights to
see if they are on. If they are, remove the bulb and watch the battery drain. If the
drain is now within specifications, find out why the circuit is staying on and repair
the problem. If the cause of the drain is not the lights, go to the fuse panel or
distribution center and remove one fuse at a time while watching the ammeter.
When the drain decreases, the circuit protected by the fuse you removed last is the
source of the problem.
To test for battery drains using s high-current tester, follow these steps.
PROCEDURE
Battery Drain Test
STEP 1 Turn off all accessories and close the doors.
STEP 2 Remove the under hood lamp, if equipped.
STEP 3 Disconnect the negative battery cable.
STEP 4 Attach the multiplying coil between the negative battery
cable and the battery terminal post (Figure 17-27).
ST
EP 5 Zero the ammeter.
ST
EP 7 Read the ammeter.
Figure 17-27 Using a multiplying coil to obtain accurate readings when measuring
parasitic drains with a VAT -40 similar tester
The maximum permissible current drain is 0.05 ampere. If the current drain
exceeds this limit, remove the fuses, one at a time, as discussed earlier.
Capacity Test
The load or capacity test determines how well any type of battery, sealed or
unsealed, functions under a load. In other words, it determines the battery’s ability
to furnish starting current and still maintain sufficient voltage to operate the
ignition system.
The load or capacity test can be performed with the battery either in or out of the
vehicle. The battery must be at or very near a full state of charge. For best results,
the electrolyte should be as close to 80o F (26.7o C) as possible. Cold batteries show
considerably lower capacity.
Never load test a sealed battery if its temperature is below 60o F (15.5o C).
On batteries with side terminals, obtaining a sound connection can be a problem.
The best solution is to screw in the appropriate manufacturer’s adapter (Figure 17-
28). If an adapter is not available, use a 3/8 inch (9.54mm) coarse bolt with a nut
on it. Bottom out the bolt. Back it off a turn. Then lighten the nut against the
contact. Now, attach the lead to the nut.
Figure 17-28 Adapters may be needed to test and charge batteries with side-
mount terminals
Figure 17-29 Typical tester hook-up for conducting a battery load test
Date Developed: Document No.
Nov. 2011
PTS-TESDA Issued by:
QA Servicing Page 15 of 18
SYSTEM Automotive Developed by:
Battery HERMINIO Revision # 00
PEDROSO
When performing a battery load test, follow these guidelines
PROCEDURE
Battery Load Test
The inductive pickup must surround the negative cable of the tester.
Observe the correct polarity and make sure the test leads are making good
contacts with the battery posts.
Turn the load control knob ( if the tester is so equipped) to draw current at
the rate of three times the battery’s ampere-hour rating or one-half of its
CCA rating.
Maintain the load for 15 seconds of current draw.
At 70o F (21o C) or above or on testers that are temperature compensated,
voltage at the end of 15 seconds, use table 17-3 to determine he adjusted
minimum voltage reading for a particular temperature.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
PROCEDURE
Battery Leakage Test
Step 1.
Turn off all accessories and close the doors.
Step 2.
Remove the underhood lamp, if equipped.
Step 3.
Disconnect the negative battery cable.
Step 4.
Attached the multiplying coil between the negative battery cable and
the battery terminal post.
Step 5. Zero the ammeter.
Step 1. The inductive pickup must surround the negative cable of the tester.
Step 2. Observe the correct polarity and make sure the test leads are making
Good contact with the battery posts.
Step 3. Turn the load control knob ( if the tester is so equipped) to draw current
At the rate of three times the battery’s ampere- hour rating or one- half
To its CCA rating.
Step 4. Maintain the load for 15 seconds. Observe the tester’s voltmeter.
Step 5. Discontinue the load for after 15 seconds of current draw.
Step 6. At 70 degrees F or above or on tester that are temperature compensated,
Voltage at the end of 15 seconds should not fall below 9.6 volts. If the
tester is not temperature compensated, use table 17-3 to determine the adjusted
minimum voltage reading for a particular temperature.
Note: If the voltage reading exceeds the specification by a volt or more, the battery
is supplying sufficient current with a good margin of safety. If the reading is right
On the spec, the might not have the reserve necessary to handle cranking during
low temperatures. If the battery was at 75% charge and fell right on the load
specifications, it is probably is good shape. ( Task Completed)