Uve Module 2 Lesson 2

ACTIVITY
Let’s Get Started!
For this lesson we will play charades this involves the student describing a subject-
specific word but restricted by a list of forbidden words.
Note: the instructor will provide word/s.
ANALYSIS
1. What parts of our body that are being used in this game?
2. How do we communicate using these actions made by our body?
3. Do our actions affects the information we are trying to relay?
4. What will happen if the information and actions does not meet?
ABSTRACTION
BATTERY CELL ELEMENT

The key to battery operation is the cell element. Positive plates and negative plates are
each connected together by separate plate straps. These groups of positive and negative
plates are then placed alternately, separated by micro-porous separators. Assembled
together, the plates and separators form a battery cell element. Grouping the plates in this
way serves to enlarge the surface area between the active materials and the electrolyte,
thus allowing a greater amount of electricity to be supplied. In other words, the battery
capacity is increased because of the increase in surface area. More plate surface area means
the battery can deliver more current.
PLATES
Battery plates are constructed of a lead alloy containing a percentage of either Antimony or
Calcium. The plates are designed as a thin flat grid, grids crossing at right angles (shown
below) or grids crossing diagonally at different angles which reduces internal resistance. The
grid provides the necessary framework for active material to be pasted onto the plate,
making either a positive or a negative plate. The active material on a charged positive plate
is a reddish-brown Lead Dioxide (PBO2), while the active material on a charged negative
plate is a grayish Sponge Lead (PB).
GLASS MAT BATTERIES

The Glass Mat battery design is typically a modification of the standard lead acid
automotive. A gelling agent is added to the electrolyte to reduce movement inside the
battery case. Glass Mat batteries also use one way valves in place of open vents, this helps
the normal internal gasses to recombine back into water in the battery, reducing gassing.
The spiral design provides more plate surface area and closer plate spacing resulting in a
lower internal resistance. This low resistance provides more power in a smaller battery case
and the ability to recharge much faster.
BATTERIES - Antimony, Calcium, or Glass Mat
Several variations of the Lead -Acid battery are used today. Variations to the battery plate
material and electrolyte solution provide different battery characteristics. Construction is
basically the same; however, the materials used are slightly different.
1. Lead Antimony ( Most commonly used ).

Is commonly used in conventional lead acid battery which uses lead antimony cell plates.
Advantages:
1. Longer service life than Calcium batteries.
2. Easier to recharge when completely discharged.
3. Lower cost.
2. Lead Calcium ( AC Delco maintenance free batteries ).

Is a maintenance free lead acid battery which uses lead calcium cell plates.
Advantages:
1. Larger electrolyte reserve area above the plates.
2. Higher Cold Cranking Amp ratings.
3. Little or No maintenance.
3. Recombination (Glass Mat) ( Optima batteries and some others ).

Is a completely sealed lead acid battery which uses plate spirals that are saturated with
electrolyte rather than a sitting in a liquid electrolyte.
Advantages:
1. No liquid electrolyte to spill or leak.
2. Can be Deep Cycled several time without damage.
3. Totally corrosion and maintenance free.
4. Three to four times longer battery life than regular batteries.
5. More plate surface and closer plate spacing provides a compact case size.
LEAD ANTIMONY VS. LEAD CALCIUM
Lead-Antimony Cast Grid

Conventional Low-Maintenance batteries use grids of Lead-antimony which is readily
available, inexpensive, easy to cast, and provide a rechargeable battery that offers optimum
efficiency and low cost. Lead antimony is used in Low-Maintenance batteries. Such
batteries are built to reduce internal heat and water loss. Battery construction provides a
deeper well area to allow a slight water loss over the life of the battery. Under normal
conditions, the addition of water should not be required.
Lead-Calcium Grid
The maintenance-free batteries, such as Delco Freedom batteries, uses calcium. The lead-
calcium grid is strong, more resistant to corrosion as well as overcharging, gassing, water
usage, and self-discharge, all of which shorten battery life in conventional lead-acid
batteries. Lead calcium is used in Maintenance Free batteries. Battery construction
provides a deeper well area to allow a slight water loss over the life of the battery. No
provision for adding water to the cells is provided because the battery is sealed.
ELECTROLYTE
Battery electrolyte is a mixture of 64% distilled water (H20) and 36% sulfuric acid (SO4).
Batteries today have an electrolyte with a specific gravity of 1.270 (at 20'C, 68'F) when fully
charged. Specific Gravity is the weight of a given volume of liquid in comparison to the
weight of the same volume of water. The higher the specific gravity of a liquid the denser
(thicker) it is. Testing specific gravity will be discussed in the Battery Service Module.
SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF ELECTROLYTE

Specific gravity means exact weight. A "Hydrometer" or a "Refractometer" compares the
exact weight of electrolyte with that of water. Electrolyte in a charged battery is stronger
and heavier than electrolyte in a discharged battery. By weight, the electrolyte in a fully
charged battery is about 36% acid and 64% water. The specific gravity of water is 1.000,
and the specific gravity of sulfuric acid is 1.835, which means the acid is 1.835 times
heavier than the water. The battery electrolyte mixture of water and acid has a specific
gravity of 1.270 and is usually stated as "twelve and seventy."
BATTERY SPECIAL HANDLING
The electrolyte inside the battery is a mixture of sulfuric acid and water. Sulfuric acid is very
corrosive and can cause severe injury to your skin and eyes. Always wear protective
goggles, gloves, and apron while servicing the battery. If it gets on your skin, flush with a
large quantity of water immediately; if it gets in your eyes, flush with large quantities of
water immediately (a mild solution of baking soda and water will neutralize the acid) and
seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Because sulfuric acid will eat through clothing, it is advisable to wear proper work clothing
when handling batteries. When charging the battery, hydrogen gas is released so it is
extremely important to keep flames or sparks away from the battery to prevent explosion.
BATTERY CASE
The battery case holds the electrolyte and the individual battery cell elements. It is divided
into six compartments or cells. The plates are raised up off the bottom of the case with ribs
to prevent them from shorting out if any of the active materials (lead, etc.) should happen
to fall from the plates. The case is made of polypropylene, hard rubber, and plastic base
materials. Some battery manufacturers use translucent plastic cases which allow checking
electrolyte level without removing vent caps. These cases often have "upper" and "lower"
electrolyte level markers on the outside of the case.
VENT CAPS
Vent caps are used to cover the holes used for adding electrolyte. These caps are also
designed to separate the sulfuric acid mist and the hydrogen gas that forms when the
battery charges. This vent system allows sulfuric acid mist to condense and drop back into
the battery and allow hydrogen gas to escape through the vent holes to the atmosphere.
Vent caps can cover each individual cell as shown below. Note:Many Gel Cell Batteries use a
one way check valve enplane of vents.
VENT CAP STRIPS

Most batteries today use vent cap strips that cover multiple cells (shown below). The caps
are are designed to allow hydrogen gas to escape and sulfuric acid mist to condense and
drop back into the battery.
BATTERY TERMINAL DESIGN

Three design types of battery terminals are used; the Top (Post) Terminal, Side Terminal,
and the "L" Terminal types. The top terminal design is the most popular among
automotive batteries. Top post terminal batteries have tapered posts on the top of the
battery. The side terminal design is used exclusively by General Motors, and the "L"
terminal design is used in marine applications; both have internally threaded terminals.
BATTERY TERMINAL IDENTIFICATION
Battery terminals are identified as either "positive" or "negative". Battery cases are
marked with a "+" for the positive terminal, and a "-" on the negative terminal as shown
below. The words "POS" or "NEG" are often used instead of the + or -. On top post
terminal batteries, the positive post is slightly wider than the negative terminal post. This
allow for easy identification.
BATTERY TERMINAL CLAMPS

Battery cable clamps are can be made of steel or lead depending on the manufacturer. In
addition, they can be attached to the cable by either crimp or bolt and nut. A crimped one
piece battery cable with clamp is the most common used today.
STEEL LEAD

BUILT IN SPECIFIC GRAVITY INDICATOR
Most maintenance free batteries use a built in single ball hydrometer that measures specific
gravity in one cell, which is located on the top of the battery.
BATTERY HOLD DOWN / CARRIER
Battery hold downs are used to stop the battery from vibrating, moving, or spilling over
while the car is in motion. Vibration will cause the battery to fail prematurely. Excessive
vibration or sharp movement will cause active material to fall off the plates ruining the
battery. The battery must always be secured. Additionally, a battery carrier or tray
underneath the battery aids in securing the battery to the vehicle.
MANUFACTURER CODE / DATE CODE

A manufacturer's code is stamped onto the battery case at time of its manufacture. This
manufacturers code contains information as to the date of manufacture, type,
manufacturing plant, etc.
A two letter code ( B0, A9, etc.) is also placed on the battery to make it easier for resellers
and consumers to identify the production date. The code is on a sticker affixed to the
battery or hot-stampded into the case cover along the top edge. The first letter represents
the month, and the second number represents the year. The picture below shows B9, which
is February 1999. Fresh batteries are always the best. Refer to the battery vendor or
supplier for this information.
STICKER
DATE CODES
A = January
B = February
C = March
D = April
E = May
F = June
G = July
H = August
J = September
K = October
L = November
M = December
DATE CODE EXCEPTIONS
DELCO - Freedom, Voyager, and some Sears brands:

The code dates are stamped on the cover, usually near
the posts. The first character represents the year (0-9)
and the second shows the month (A-M, skipping I). For
example, 4CN1 would stand for 1994, March.
EXIDE - Napa Legend, Edge, Power-Tron and Titan: The

fourth or fifth character may be a letter code for the
month and the following character a number code for the
year (i.e. RO8F3B stands for June 1993).

Uve Module 2 Lesson 2

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Uve Module 2 Lesson 2

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Uve Module 2 Lesson 2

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

ACTIVITY

Let’s Get Started!

BATTERY CELL ELEMENT

GLASS MAT BATTERIES

1. Lead Antimony ( Most commonly used ).

2. Lead Calcium ( AC Delco maintenance free batteries ).

3. Recombination (Glass Mat) ( Optima batteries and some others ).

LEAD ANTIMONY VS. LEAD CALCIUM

Lead-Antimony Cast Grid

SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF ELECTROLYTE

VENT CAP STRIPS

BATTERY TERMINAL DESIGN

BATTERY TERMINAL CLAMPS

MANUFACTURER CODE / DATE CODE

DATE CODE EXCEPTIONS

DELCO - Freedom, Voyager, and some Sears brands:

EXIDE - Napa Legend, Edge, Power-Tron and Titan: The

You might also like