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AT17503 - Automotive
Electrical and Electronics
SESSION 4
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Recap of session 3

 Battery Charging
 Constant Voltage method
 Constant Current method
 Battery defects
 Overheating, overcharging, sulphation/undercharging, corrosion, etc.,

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Battery storage & Maintenance

 Check the battery's state of charge

 Ensure the battery top is clean, dry & free of dirt.
 Inspect the terminals, screws, clamps and cables for breakage, damage or loose connections. These
should be clean, tight and free of corrosion.
 Apply a thin coating of high temperature grease to posts and cable connections for added protection.
 Inspect the battery case for obvious signs of physical damage or warpage. This usually indicates the
battery has been overheated or has been overcharged.
 For a maintainable battery, it is important to check if the battery has sufficient electrolyte covering
the battery plates. Don’t not over fill the battery.
 When servicing a sealed maintenance free (SMF) battery, check the State of Charge Indicator. This
gives you a snap shot of the battery's condition and whether the battery needs to be charged or
replaced. 
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Maintenance free and low maintenance
batteries
 Most widely used batteries.
 Parts are thicker and made with different and more durable materials.
 Have vents and caps for adding water.
 A low-maintenance battery requires additional water substantially less often
than a conventional battery.
 Similar in construction but made with different plate materials, a
maintenance-free battery experiences little gassing during discharge and
charge cycles.
 Therefore, maintenance-free batteries do not have external holes or caps.
 They are equipped with small gas vents that prevent gas pressure buildup in
the case.
 Water is never added to maintenance-free batteries.
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Absorbed Glass Mat Batteries (AGM)

 The electrolyte in absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries is held in moistened

fiberglass matting.
 Rolls of high-purity lead plates are tightly compressed into six cells.
 The plates are separated by acid-permeated vitreous separators.
 Vitreous separators absorb acid in the same way a paper towel absorbs water.
 Each of the cells is enclosed in its own cylinder within the battery case, forming a
sealed, closed system that resembles a six-pack of soda.
 The spiral rolled plates and fiberglass mats are virtually impervious to vibration
and impact.
 AGM batteries will never leak, have short recharging times, and have low internal
resistance, which provides increased output.

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Valve-Regulated Batteries Valve-regulated
lead-acid (VRLA) batteries
 Similar to AGM batteries and are recombinant batteries.
 The oxygen produced on the positive plates is absorbed by the negative plate. That, in turn, decreases the
amount of hydrogen produced at the negative plate.
 The combination of hydrogen and oxygen produces water, which is returned to the electrolyte.
 One plate in a VRLA is made of a lead-tin-calcium alloy with porous lead dioxide; the other is also
made of a lead-tin-calcium alloy but has spongy lead as the active material.
 The electrolyte is sulfuric acid that is absorbed into plate separators made of a glass-fiber fabric.
 The battery is equipped with a valve that opens to relieve any excessive pressure that builds up in the battery.
At all other times the valve is closed and the battery is totally sealed.

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End of Session 4

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