General Battery Questions
Rating that indicates the battery’s ability to deliver a specified amount of current to start an engine at low
Cold Cranking Amps CCA
Checks for poor electrical connections between the battery cables and terminals; uses a voltmeter to measure voltage drop across the cables and terminals
Battery Terminal Test
High-current conductors that connect the battery to the vehicle’s electrical system
Battery Cables
Braking energy is converted into electricity instead of heat.
Regenerative braking
This is a term used when battery failing to fully charge because it remembers its previous charge level. This results in a low-battery charge due to a battery that is not completely discharged before it is recharged.
Memory effect
The speed at which the battery can safely be recharged at a set amperage.
Charge Rate
Extend through the case of the battery to provide a means of connecting the battery plates to the vehicle’s electrical system.
Battery Terminals
Indicates the amount of steady current a battery can supply for 20 hours.
Amp Hour Rating
A special meter used to measure the specific gravity of a liquid by the refraction of light
Refractometer
A battery that has no provision for the addition of water to the cells. The battery is sealed.
Maintenance-free battery
To pass an electric current through a battery in an opposite direction than during discharge
Charge
Used to determine if current is discharging across the top of the battery case.
Battery Leakage Test
A variation of the recombination batteries that hold their electrolyte in a moistened fiberglass matting instead of using a gel.
Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) battery
A type of battery that is sometimes called a dry-cell battery because it does not use a liquid electrolyte solution.
Recombination battery
A test instrument used to check the specific gravity of the electrolyte to determine the battery’s state of charge.
Hydrometer:
The assembly of a positive and a negative plate in a battery.
Cell Element
Used to monitor the condition of the HV battery assembly in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) or an electric vehicle (EV). The battery ECU determines the SOC of the HV battery by monitoring voltage, current, and temperature.
Battery ECU
The weight of a given volume of a liquid divided by the weight of an equal volume of water.
Specific gravity
Constant drains of the battery due to accessories that draw small amounts of current
Parasitic drains
This device securer's the battery to reduce vibration and to prevent tipping.
Battery Hold down
A dynamic test whereby a simulated load (in amperes or watts) is imposed on the battery system for a specified time.
Capacity Test
Battery charging rate between 3 and 15 amps for a long period of time.
Slow charging a battery
An indicator, in minutes, of how long a vehicle can be driven, with the headlights on, if the charging system should fail. The reserve-capacity rating is determined by the length of time, in minutes, that a fully charged battery can be discharged at 25 amps before battery cell voltage drops below 1.75 volts per cell.
Reserve-capacity rating
Test used to determine the battery’s state of charge. It is used when a hydrometer is not available or cannot be used.
Open circuit voltage test
A battery that completely submerges the plates with liquid electrolyte.
Flooded
Battery charging using a high amperage for a short period of time.
Fast Charging
A solution of 64% water and 36% sulfuric acid.
Electrolyte:
The chemical action of two dissimilar materials in a chemical solution.
Electrochemical
Discharging the battery to a very low state of charge before recharging it.
Deep cycling
A battery rating system that indicates the battery’s ability to provide a cranking amperage at 32° F (0° C).
Cranking Amps (CA)
Heavy-duty relays that are connected to the positive and negative sides of the HV battery.
Contactors
This is a test to measurement of the battery’s plate surface that is available for chemical reaction, determining how much power the battery can supply.
Conductance
Rating that indicates the battery’s ability to deliver a specified amount of current to start an engine at low ambient temperatures.
Cold Cranking Amps
A feature of the HEV to provide for the 12-volt auxiliary battery to recharge the HV battery
Jump assist
: A battery that combines the advantages of low-maintenance and maintenance-free batteries.
Hybrid battery