BATTERY

TESTING
 PRE- TEST
Choose the letter of the best answer and write in the answer sheet.
1. When performing a capacity test on a battery, the electrolyte should be as close to?
a. 86% b. 80% c. 100% d. 120%
2. It is the weight of a given volume of any liquid divided by the weight of an equal volume of water.
b. Battery solution b. coolant c. specific gravityd. specific gravity test
3. The specific gravity of an unsealed battery is measured using what tool/ equipment?
c. Hydrometer b. multi-tester c. voltmeter d. all of the above
4. A battery is considered good when its specific gravity is in between?
d. 1.260-1.280 b. 1.280-1.285 c. 1.285-1.290 d. 1.290-1.295
5. A test that can be used as a substitute for the hydrometer specific test?
a. Capacity test b. drain test c. leakage test d. open circuit voltage test
6. A test that determines how well a battery functions under a load?

a. Capacity test b. drain test c. leakage test d. open circuit voltage test

7. Also called as conductance test?

b. Capacity test b. capacitance test c. drain test d. leakage test

8. A test that is used on a battery is dead after it has not been used for a short while and this kind of test varies according to the
manufacturer?

c. Capacity test b. capacitance test c. drain test d. leakage test

9. A test that is used to determine if current is discharging across the top a battery?

d. Capacity test b. capacitance test c. drain test d. leakage test

10. A maintenance free battery has an open circuit voltage of 12.6 volts. Which of the following should be done?

e. Recharge and retest the battery c. Replace the battery

f. Reinstall the battery, battery is sufficient d. None of the above

11. The allowable battery’s temperature in conducting an open circuit voltage test is?

a. 60-100 °F b. 65-100 °F c. 70-100 °F d. 75-100 °F

12. Never conduct capacity or load test in a battery if its temperature is below?
a. 50 °F b. 60 °F c. 70 °F d. 80 °F
13. In a maintenance free battery with a built- in hydrometer, green that is very visible means battery is?
b. Charge before testing b. replace battery c. good d. none of the above
14. In a maintenance free battery with a built- in hydrometer, dark green that is not visible means battery is?
c. Charge before testing b. replace battery c. good d. none of the above
15. In a maintenance free battery with a built- in hydrometer, green light or yellow means battery is?
a. Charge before testing b. replace battery c. good d. none of the above
II. Read each question carefully then right your answers in the answer sheet.
1. What is the purpose of the automotive battery?
2. Enumerate atleast 5 parts of the battery?
BATTERY
TESTING
BATTERY TESTING AND INTERPRETING
RESULTS
Testing battery is an important part of electrical system
service. Depending on the design of the battery, state of
charge and capacity can be determine in several ways;
specific gravity tests, visual inspection of batteries with a
built-in hydrometer, open circuit voltage tests, capacity
test, battery leakage test and battery drain test.
 WAYS IN TESTING A BATTERY
1. Specific Gravity Test
Specific gravity is the weight of a given volume of any liquid divided by the
weight of an equal volume of the 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 80 °F
(26.7 °C). In other words, the electrolyte should be 1.260 to 1.280 times heavier
than water.
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 using a hydrometer.
A HYDROMETER consists of a 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 into the reservoir.
Two types of hydrometer:
• Ball hydrometer
• Float hydrometer
Ball hydrometer is similar to the ball type coolant hydrometer. To perform hydrometer testing using ball
hydrometer, insert the rubber tube into the vent hole of the battery, then squeeze and release the bulb.
Electrolyte will be drawn into the tube. If all balls float, the battery is fully charged. If none, the battery is
discharged. The more balls that floats, the higher the battery state of charge.
The float hydrometer is used in the same way as the ball hydrometer. it will float as the electrolyte is drawn
from the battery. Marks on the float stem show the electrolyte specific gravity. This indicates the battery state
of charge. The more fully charged the battery, the higher the float.
As a precaution, make sure no electrolyte drips on the car or on you. Electrolyte will damage the car paint or
your clothes.
The specific gravity of the electrolyte decreases as the battery discharges. This is
why measuring specific gravity of the electrolyte with a hydrometer can be a good
indicator of how much charge a battery has lost. Table below is lists specific
gravity readings in various stages of charge with respect to a battery’s ability to
crank an engine at a temperature of 80˚F (26.7 ˚C).
The following table shows the relationship between specific gravity and state of charge.

SPECIFIC GRAVITY PERCENT OF CHARGE

1.265 SPECIFIC GRAVITY STAGE OF CHARGE 100%
1.265 -1.299 Fully charged battery
1.225 1.235 -1.265 Three – fourths charged 75&
1.205 -1.235 One-half charged
1.190 1.170 -1.205 One-fourth charged 50%
1.140-1.170 Barely Operative
1.155 1.110-1.140 Completely discharged 25%

1.120 or lower Discharged

 TEMPERATURE CORRECTION
It is necessary to correct the reading by adding or subtracting 4 points (0.004)
for each 10 ˚F (-12 ˚C) above or below the standard of 80 ˚F (26.7 ˚C). Most
hydrometers have a built- in thermometer to measure the temperature of the
electrolyte. The hydrometer reading can be misleading if the hydrometer is not
adjusted properly. For example, a reading of 1.260 taken at 20 ˚F (-6.6 ˚C)
would be 1.260 –(6x0.004 or 0.024) = 1.236. This lower reading means the cell
has less charge than indicated.
INTERPRETING RESULTS, the specific gravity of the cells of a fully charged
battery should near 1.265 when adjusted for electrolyte temperature.
Recharge any battery if the specific gravity drops below an average of 1.230. A
specific gravity difference of more than 50 points between cells is a good
indication of a defective battery in need of replacement.
2. VISUAL INSPECTION OF BATTERIES WITH A BUILT-IN HYDROMETER
On some sealed maintenance- free batteries, a special temperature- compensated hydrometer is built into the
battery cover. A quick visual check indicates the battery state of charge. It is important when observing the built-
in hydrometer that the battery has a clean top to see the correct indication. A flashlight may be required in poorly
lit areas. Always look straight down when viewing the built- in hydrometer.
Example illustration of a maintenance free battery with built- in hydrometer.

Many maintenance free batteries do not have

a built- in hydrometer. A voltage check is the
only way to check this type of battery’s state
of charge. The specific gravity of these
batteries cannot be checked because they are
sealed. Never pry off the cell caps to check
the electrolyte levels of condition of a sealed
battery.
3. OPEN CIRCUIT VOLTAGE TESTS
An open circuit voltage check can be used as a substitute for the hydrometer specific test. As the battery is
charged or discharged, slight changes occur in the battery’s voltage. So battery voltage with no load applied can
give some indication of the state of charge.
Procedures in conducting open circuit voltage test:
1. Make sure that the battery’s temperature should be between 60˚ and 100
˚F ( 15.5 ˚ and 37.7 ˚C) The voltage must be allowed to stabilize for at
least 10minutes with no load applied.
2. On vehicles with high drains (computer controls, clocks and accessories
that always draw a small amount of current), it may be necessary to
disconnect the battery ground cable.
3. On batteries that have just been recharged, apply a heavy load for 15
seconds to remove the surface charge. Then allow thee battery to
stabilize.
4. Once voltage has stabilized, use a voltmeter to measure the battery
voltage to the nearest one-tenth of a volt.
5. Use table below to interpret the results. As you can see, minor changes in
Measuring open circuit voltage across battery
battery open circuit voltage can indicate major changes in state of charge.
terminals using voltmeter.
TABLE OF BATTERY OPEN CIRCUIT VOLTAGE AS AN INDICATOR OF STATE OF CHARGE

OPEN CIRCUIT VOLTAGE STATE OF CHARGE

12.6 OR GREATER 100%
12.4 TO 12.6 75-100%
12.2 TO 12.4 50-75%
12.0 TO 12.2 25-50%
11.7 TO 12.0 0-25%
11.7 OR LESS 0%
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.
 4. CAPACITY TEST
The load or capacity test determines how well any type of battery, sealed or unsealed, functions under 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 the best results, the electrolyte should be as close to 80 ˚F (26.7 ˚C) as
possible. Cold batteries show considerably lower capacity.
Note: Never load test a sealed battery if its temperature is below 60 ˚F (15.5 ˚C).
Adapters may be needed to
test and charge batteries with
side-mount terminals.
 BATTERY LOAD TEST PROCEDURES OR GUIDELINES:

1. The inductive pick-up must surround the negative cable of the tester.
2. Observe the correct polarity and make sure the test leads are making good contact with the
battery posts.
3. Turn the load control knob (if the tester is equipped) to draw current at the rate of three times
the battery’s ampere- hour rating or one- half of its CCA rating.
4. Maintain the load for 15 seconds. Observe the tester’s voltmeter.
5. Disconnect the load for after 15 seconds of current draw.
6. At 70˚F (21˚C) or above or on testers 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 below to determine the adjusted minimum voltage reading for a particular temperature.
 INTERPRETING RESULTS
MINIMUM LOAD TEST VOLTAGES AS AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE
BATTERY TEMPERATURE (F) MINIMUM TEST VOLTAGE
70˚ F (21˚C) 9.6 volts
60˚ F (15.5˚C) 9.5 volts
50˚ F (10˚C) 9.4 volts
40˚ F (4.4˚C) 9.3 volts
30˚F (-1˚C) 9.2 volts
20˚ F (-6.6˚C) 8.9 volts
10˚F (12.2˚C) 8.8 volts
0˚F (-17.7˚C) 8.5 volts
If the load voltage read below the temperature- corrected minimum, continue to observe the voltmeter of the tester
after removing the load. If it rises above 12.4 volts, the battery is bad. It can hold a charge but has insufficient cold-
cranking amperes. The battery can be recharges and retested, but the results are likely to be the same.
If the voltage test below the minimum and the voltmeter does not rise above 12.4 volts when the load is removed, the
problem may only be a low state of charge. Recharge the battery and lead test again.

5. CAPACITANCE TEST
Also called as conductance test. Conductance describes a battery’s ability to conduct current. It is a measurement of
the plate surface available in a battery for chemical reaction. Conductance can be used to detect cell defects, shorts,
normal aging, and open circuits, which can cause the battery to fail.
A fully charged new battery will have a high conductance reading, anywhere from 110% to 140% of its CCA Ratting.
As a battery ages, the plate surface can sulfate of shed active material, which will lower its capacity and conductance.
Because conductance measurements can track the life of the battery, they are also effective for predicting end of the
life before the battery fails. How conductance tester operates:
The tester creates a small signal that is sent through the battery and then
measures a portion of the AC current response. The tester displays the
service condition of the battery. The tester indicates that the battery is good,
needs to be recharged and tested again, has failed, or will fail shortly.
 6. LEAKAGE TEST
A battery leakage test will determine if current is discharging across the top of the battery. A dirty battery
can discharge when not in use. This condition shortens battery life and causes starting problems. To perform
a battery leakage test, set voltmeter on a low setting.
Procedures/ Guidelines in Conducting Battery Leakage Test
a. Set a voltmeter on a low DC volt range.
b. Connect the negative test lead to the battery negative terminal.
c. Then move the meter’s positive lead across the top and sides of the battery case.
Interpretation:
If some voltage is read on the voltmeter, current is leaking out of battery cells. The battery should be
cleaned, then rechecked.
If the battery again has some leakage, it should be replace because the case is excessively porous or is
cracked.
 7. DRAIN TEST
If a vehicle’s battery is dead after it has not been used for a short while, the
problem may be a current drain caused by one of the electrical systems. The most
common cause for this type of drain is a light that is not turning off- such as a
light in the glove box, trunk or engine compartment.
Constant drains on the battery due to accessories that draw small amounts of
current called parasitic drains. These drains on the battery can cause various
drivability problems. With low battery voltage several problems can result;
computer may go into the back up mode of operation, the computer may set false
codes, or the computer may raise idle speeds to compensate for the low battery
voltage.
 PROCEDURES/ GUIDELINES IN CONDUCTING
BATTERY DRAIN TEST
a. Turn off all accessories and close the doors.

b. Remove the under hood lamp, if equipped.

c. Disconnect the negative battery cable.

d. Attach the multiplying coil between the negative battery cable and battery terminal post.

e. Zero the ammeter.

f. Connect the inductive pickup probe around the multiplying coil.

g. Read the ammeter.

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.

Note: 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 check 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.
 ACTIVITY 1. Complete the table below. Write the specific gravity according to the given
percentage of charge. Write your answers in the answer sheet.

PERCENT OF CHARGE SPECIFIC GRAVITY

100% SPECIFIC GRAVITY 1. STAGE OF CHARGE
1.265 -1.299
75% 1.235 -1.265 2. Fully charged battery
Three – fourths charged
1.205 -1.235
50% 1.170 -1.205 3. One-half charged
One-fourth charged
1.140-1.170
25% 1.110-1.140 4. Barely Operative
Completely discharged
5.
Discharged
 ACTIVITY 2: TRUE OR FALSE
1. In testing a battery using a hydrometer, when the scales sink in the electrolyte, the specific gravity is high.
2. In testing a battery using a hydrometer, when the scales float high, the specific gravity is low.
3. In a maintenance free battery that has a built-in hydrometer, green color indicates above state of charge.
4. In a maintenance free battery that has a built-in hydrometer, dark color indicates low level of electrolyte.
5. In a maintenance free battery that has a built-in hydrometer, clear or no color indicates below state of
charge.
6. In a battery that has a built-in charge indicator, color white stands for “ok”.
7. In a battery that has a built-in charge indicator, color gray stands for check or recharge the battery.
8. In a battery that has a built-in charge indicator, color green stands for change or replace battery.
9. The specific gravity of the electrolyte decrease as the battery discharge.
10. The specific gravity of the electrolyte increase as the battery charging.
Choose the letter of the best answer and write in the answer sheet.
1. When performing a capacity test on a battery, the electrolyte should be as close to?
a. 86% b. 80% c. 100% d. 120%
2. It is the weight of a given volume of any liquid divided by the weight of an equal volume of water.
b. Battery solution b. coolant c. specific gravityd. specific gravity test
3. The specific gravity of an unsealed battery is measured using what tool/ equipment?
c. Hydrometer b. multi-tester c. voltmeter d. all of the above
4. A battery is considered good when its specific gravity is in between?
d. 1.260-1.280 b. 1.280-1.285 c. 1.285-1.290 d. 1.290-1.295
5. A test that can be used as a substitute for the hydrometer specific test?
a. Capacity test b. drain test c. leakage test d. open circuit voltage test
6. A test that determines how well a battery functions under a load?

a. Capacity test b. drain test c. leakage test d. open circuit voltage test

7. Also called as conductance test?

b. Capacity test b. capacitance test c. drain test d. leakage test

8. A test that is used on a battery is dead after it has not been used for a short while and this kind of test varies according to the
manufacturer?

c. Capacity test b. capacitance test c. drain test d. leakage test

9. A test that is used to determine if current is discharging across the top a battery?

d. Capacity test b. capacitance test c. drain test d. leakage test

10. A maintenance free battery has an open circuit voltage of 12.6 volts. Which of the following should be done?

e. Recharge and retest the battery c. Replace the battery

f. Reinstall the battery, battery is sufficient d. None of the above

11. The allowable battery’s temperature in conducting an open circuit voltage test is?

a. 60-100 °F b. 65-100 °F c. 70-100 °F d. 75-100 °F

12. Never conduct capacity or load test in a battery if its temperature is below?
a. 50 °F b. 60 °F c. 70 °F d. 80 °F
13. In a maintenance free battery with a built- in hydrometer, green that is very visible means battery is?
b. Charge before testing b. replace battery c. good d. none of the above
14. In a maintenance free battery with a built- in hydrometer, dark green that is not visible means battery is?
c. Charge before testing b. replace battery c. good d. none of the above
15. In a maintenance free battery with a built- in hydrometer, green light or yellow means battery is?
a. Charge before testing b. replace battery c. good d. none of the above
II.