Battery Application Guide - CARQUEST Auto Parts

ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION WHEN WORKING AROUND BATTERIES!Basic Rules for Battery Care & Maintenance.LOAD TESTING (con’t).3. Connect the positive (+) tester clamp to the positive (+) batteryterminal. Then connect the negative (–) tester clamp to thenegative (–) battery terminal. Always protect your eyes.4. Set the tester for one-half the battery‘s 0˚F cold crank ratingand apply the load for 15 seconds. (If the CCA rating isunknown, use 1/2 of the minimum O.E. battery CCArequirement of the vehicle.)5. Estimate the internal temperature of the battery to the nearest10˚F. Apply the load for 15 seconds. Note the voltage at15 seconds with the load on and immediately shut the load off.A reading at least equal to the value from the chart belowindicates a good battery.BATTERY 12-VOLT 6-VOLTTEMPERATURE BATTERY BATTERY70°F (21°C) or above 9.60 4.8060°F (16°C) 9.50 4.7550°F (10°C) 9.40 4.7040°F (4°C) 9.30 4.6530°F (-1°C) 9.10 4.5520°F (-6°C) 8.90 4.4510°F (-12°C) 8.70 4.350°F (-18°C) 8.50 4.25.MICRO LOAD TESTING.Micro load testing uses several small incremental loads applied tothe battery to measure the battery capacitance and impedance,which are indicators of the overall battery performance in relationto its rated capacity. The circuitry in the tester compensates forboth battery temperature variations and state of charge allowingfor testing of discharged batteries. In severe cases of extremedischarge the tester will tell the operator to charge the battery andretest. In these cases the battery must be recharged before testing.1. Do not test or charge the battery if it is frozen. Let it warm upprior to testing or charging.2. Connect tester positive (“+” Red) test lead to the batterypositive terminal and negative (“-” Black) test lead to thebattery negative terminal. Always use side post test adapterswhen testing side post batteries and make sure batteryterminals are clean. Never connect tester to a bolt or stud.It is critical that both jaws of the tester clamp are in contactwith the terminal or terminal adapter.3. Tester should turn on automatically. If not, locate power buttonand turn on the tester. Enter requested information. Be sureto distinguish between a CCA and CA or MCA rating. If norating is available, use minimum O.E. battery CCA requirementof the vehicle.4. If battery is tested in vehicle, ensure cable connections aretight and not oxidized. Turn off all sources that may draincurrent from battery, for example, turn off ignition key andclose all doors and trunk.6. If the battery did not meet the required voltage and if it was notcharged in Step 1, completely recharge the battery and repeatthe test. If it still fails to meet requirements, replace the battery..CONDUCTANCE TESTING.Follow safety precautions:WEAR PROPER EYE PROTECTION!Conductance uses the battery’s response to a very small signal inan attempt to predict the effects of a much larger current.Conductance testing is ineffective on a discharged battery. If thebattery is known to be discharged or if the tester tells the operatorto charge before testing again, the battery must be completelyrecharged.1. It may not be required to turn a conductance tester off or on.If off, you must turn on immediately when connected to abattery. Most will turn off automatically if ignored long enough.Some have no battery of their own and get all their power fromthe battery being tested.2. Connect the positive (+) tester clamp to the positive (+) batteryterminal. Then connect the negative (–) tester clamp to thenegative (–) battery terminal. If the battery has more than onepair of terminals (e.g. top posts and side terminals) alwaysperform the testing on the terminals that are used in thevehicle. Use the proper charging adapters for stud or sideterminal batteries. Never connect tester to a bolt or stud.3. Turn on if needed. Enter the requested information. Be sure todistinguish between a CCA rating and a CA or MCA rating. If norating is available, use the minimum O.E. battery CCArequirement of the vehicle.4. If the tester says to replace a battery that was tested in thevehicle, repeat the testing after removing the cables andcleaning the posts..CHECK THE STATE OF CHARGE.There are two styles of battery…non-accessible maintenance-freetypes and accessible maintainable types with removable vent caps.Before adding water to a maintainable battery, take an open circuitvoltage reading and/or hydrometer reading of one cell. Use adifferent cell each time. If the readings are below 75%, charge thebattery. If the electrolyte level is too low to read with a hydrometer,add water and take the hydrometer reading the following day, afterthe vehicle has been driven and the water has had an opportunityto mix. Check electrolyte levels in all cells. If necessary, add onlyclear, odorless drinking water to bring the liquid level to the levelindicator or to 1/2” (13mm) above the top of the separators.Distilled water is preferred, especially if the water in your area hashigh iron. Do not overfill any cells. Excess electrolyte may beforced from an overfilled cell and cause corrosion on adjacentmetal parts, reduce performance, and shorten life. In cold weather,do not fill cells with water and let stand without running engine ordriving the vehicle long enough to allow water to mix with acid.Otherwise, freezing might occur and the battery may crack orexplode.Maintenance-free, non-accessible batteries are designed toeliminate the need to add water. Yet the volume of electrolyteabove plates may eventually become depleted due to abnormalconditions such as high heat or improper regulator setting. Use avoltmeter to check the state of charge. See chart under“CHARGING TIPS” to determine if charging is necessary. DO NOTOPEN FLUSH COVER BATTERIES! If opened, serious personalinjury can result and warranty will be voided.REFERENCE243