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

2 Battery Safety Acid Glasses Explosion

3 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

4 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

5 Battery Parts

6 Basic Battery

7 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

8 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

9 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

10 Dot –good Dark Green –recharge Yellow –replace Charge Indicators

11 BATTERY RATINGS Cold Cranking Amps –CCA Reserve Capacity –RC Watts Amp Hour Rating (old)

12 Power VS. Temperature

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

14 Clean Battery Case &Top

15 Clean Battery Terminals

16 Secure Battery Hold Down

17 CHARGING & JUMPING Proper Connections Slow Charge Trickle Charge Fast Charge (boost) Jumping Safety LAST 1st 2nd 3rd

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