Deck 17: Batteries: Theory, Diagnosis, and Service

Question 1

Vehicles equipped for cold climates may have a battery blanket or heater to keep the battery warm during extremely cold weather.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

On a top post battery the positive terminal is slightly larger than the negative.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

A battery is an electrochemical device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Which of these statements is NOT a true conclusion from a battery load test?

A) The battery needs to be replaced if the voltage dropped below 9.6 volts while under a load but rose above 12.4 volts when the load was removed
B) The battery should be charged and then retested because it dropped below 9.6 volts and didn't rise above 12.4 volts when the load was removed
C) The battery should be charged and then retested because it dropped below 9.6 volts and rose above 12.4 volts when the load was removed
D) The battery is good because the voltage dropped only to 10.3 volts while under load

Question 5

The BCI group number is normally located on the outside of the battery and is used to state the physical size [height, width, and depth] of the battery.

Question 6

The typical CCA rating for a passenger car or light truck is between 300 and 600 amps.

Question 7

A constant current type battery charger increases or decreases voltage to maintain a constant current flow while charging.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a common cause for premature battery failure?

A) increased cycling
B) sulfation
C) excessive engine restarting
D) overcharging

Question 9

How many volts are present in a fully charged 12-volt battery?

A) 12.0
B) 12.2
C) 12.4
D) 12.6

Question 10

The electrolyte level in a battery with vent caps slowly drops due to gassing.

Question 11

The electrolyte in a battery cannot freeze, even if the battery is discharged and the temperature drops below 0 degrees Fahrenheit.

Question 12

When load testing a battery, the load applied to the battery should be _____.

A) one half the CCA rating
B) the CCA rating
C) two times the CCA rating
D) two times the CA rating

Question 13

At 0 degrees Fahrenheit, a battery can produce only 40 percent of the electric current that it is capable of producing at 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Question 14

Lead acid type batteries cannot be recycled.

Question 15

The specific gravity of the electrolyte decreases as the battery is discharged.

Question 16

Lithium-ion batteries are the safest type of battery to use in a hybrid vehicle because lithium is not reactive or explosive.

Question 17

Gassing is the conversion of the battery water into helium and nitrogen gas.

Question 18

Because of the memory effect, nickel-metal-hydride [Ni-MH] type batteries are never used in hybrid vehicles.

Question 19

Battery hold-downs reduce the amount of vibration and help increase the life of the battery.

Question 20

What is the first step when removing an old battery?

A) Disconnect the positive cable
B) Remove the battery hold-down straps and cover
C) Inspect and clean the area
D) Remove the heat shield

Question 21

Technician A says lead in the lead peroxide of the positive plates combines with sulfate to form lead sulfate (PbSO₄) as a battery discharges. Technician B says lead sulfate forms on the negative plates as a battery discharges. Who is correct?

A) A only
B) B only
C) both A and B
D) neither A nor B

Question 22

Corrosion on or near the battery must be minimized because _____.

A) corrosion on the battery terminals increases resistance in the battery circuit
B) corrosion on the battery cover can create a path that will allow the battery to slowly discharge
C) corrosion can destroy the hold-down straps and battery tray
D) all answers are correct

Question 23

Technician A says baking soda can be used to neutralize battery corrosion. Technician B says baking soda should be used to clean batteries. Who is correct?

A) A only
B) B only
C) both A and B
D) neither A nor B

Question 24

Battery ratings are being discussed. Technician A says the reserve capacity rating is a measure of the battery's ability to operate the lights and electrical system in the event of a generator failure. Technician B says the cold-cranking amps rating is a measure of the battery's ability to provide current for the starter. Who is correct?

A) A only
B) B only
C) both A and B
D) neither A nor B

Question 25

Technician A says a battery strap or carrier should be used whenever a battery is lifted. Technician B says when a battery is removed, the positive cable should be disconnected first. Who is correct?

A) A only
B) B only
C) both A and B
D) neither A nor B

Question 26

Battery overcharging may be caused by _____.

A) faulty vehicle charging system
B) improper use of a battery charger
C) both "faulty vehicle charging system" and "improper use of a battery charger"
D) neither both "faulty vehicle charging system" nor "improper use of a battery charger"

Question 27

Technician A says when battery cells are connected together in series, the amperage increases. Technician B says when battery cells are connected together in parallel, the voltage increases. Who is correct?

A) A only
B) B only
C) both A and B
D) neither A nor B

Question 28

Technician A says when a battery is charging, it changes chemical energy into electrical energy. Technician B says when a battery is being discharged, it changes electrical energy into chemical energy. Who is correct?

A) A only
B) B only
C) both A and B
D) neither A nor B

Question 29

Which of the following is NOT part of routine battery inspections and maintenance?

A) Visually check cables and terminals
B) Make sure the battery hold-downs are holding the battery securely in place
C) Refill the electrolyte level with clean electrolyte
D) Clean any corrosion from the cable ends and terminals

Question 30

Technician A says electrolyte is very corrosive. Technician B says electrolyte is a water and hydrochloric acid solution. Who is correct?

A) A only
B) B only
C) both A and B
D) neither A nor B

Question 31

Sulfation of battery plates can cause _____.

A) lower specific gravity
B) reduced reserve power in cold weather
C) both "lower specific gravity" and "reduced reserve power in cold weather"
D) neither both "lower specific gravity" nor "reduced reserve power in cold weather"

Question 32

Technician A says absorbed glass mat [AGM] batteries have spiral wound plates and never require water. Technician B says recombinant batteries use a gel-type electrolyte and convert oxygen and hydrogen back into water. Who is correct?

A) A only
B) B only
C) both A and B
D) neither A nor B

Question 33

The electrolyte in a fully charged lead acid type battery is a solution of _____.

A) 36 percent sulfuric acid and 64 percent water
B) 40 percent hydrochloric acid and 60 percent water
C) 30 percent potassium hydroxide and 70 percent water
D) 50 percent hydrogen peroxide and 50 percent water

Question 34

While conducting a battery drain test, if the ammeter reads _____ or more amperes, there is excessive drain.

A) 0.100
B) 0.050
C) 0.250
D) 2.500

Question 35

In a VRLA [valve regulated lead acid] recombinant type battery, _____.

A) the gases produced in the recharging process are vented to the atmosphere
B) the electrolyte is 100 percent water
C) oxygen and hydrogen released during charging are converted back into water
D) all answers are correct

Question 36

Technician A says the reserve capacity rating of a battery is the amount of steady current that a fully charged battery can supply for 20 hours without the voltage dropping below 10.5 volts. Technician B says an ampere-hour rating states how many hours the battery is capable of supplying 25 amperes. Who is correct?

A) A only
B) B only
C) both A and B
D) neither A nor B

Question 37

A cold-cranking amperes (CCA) rating specifies the minimum amperes available at _____ degrees Fahrenheit.

A) 50
B) 32
C) 0
D) 50

Question 38

Technician A says a positive battery plate consists of a grid filled with lead peroxide (Pb0₂). Technician B says lead peroxide is a porous, brown, crystalline material. Who is correct?

A) A only
B) B only
C) both A and B
D) neither A nor B

Question 39

Technician A uses a voltmeter to test the open circuit voltage of a battery. Technician B uses the results of an open circuit voltage test to determine the battery's state of charge. Who is correct?

A) A only
B) B only
C) both A and B
D) neither A nor B

Question 40

Technician A says the specific gravity of pure water is 10.00 at 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius). Technician B says the specific gravity of electrolyte in a fully charged battery is between 1.260 and 1.280 at 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius). Who is correct?

A) A only
B) B only
C) both A and B
D) neither A nor B

Question 41

A ____________________ battery can withstand six deep-cycles and still retain 100 percent of its original reserve capacity.

Question 42

A(n) ____________________ is used to test for parasitic draw.

Question 43

The best way to test battery cables and terminal for excessive resistance is by _____ testing.

A) ohmmeter
B) voltage drop
C) ammeter [conventional]
D) inductive ammeter

Question 44

Which method of testing for battery state of charge (SOC) can be used on maintenance-free batteries?

A) built-in hydrometer
B) open circuit voltage test
C) battery hydrometer
D) both "built-in hydrometer" and "open circuit voltage test"

Question 45

Technician A uses a solution of baking soda and water to clean a battery. Technician B uses soap and water. Who is correct?

A) A only
B) B only
C) both A and B
D) neither A nor B

Question 46

Battery charging should be done in a well-ventilated area because the gases produced during recharging are _____.

A) highly toxic [poisonous]
B) explosive
C) both "highly toxic [poisonous]" and "explosive"
D) neither "highly toxic [poisonous]" nor "explosive"

Question 47

Which of the following components is not part of a battery cell?

A) positive electrode
B) negative electrode
C) electrolyte
D) solenoid

Question 48

When charging a battery that has been completely discharged, the most important item to monitor is _____.

A) gassing
B) charging voltage
C) charging current
D) battery temperature

Question 49

A conductance tester measures the battery condition by _____.

A) sending a small AC signal through the battery and measuring the current response
B) applying a load of 125 amps on the battery and measuring how fast the battery voltage returns to 12.4 volts when the load is turned off
C) measuring how fast the voltage drops when a 100 amp load is applied
D) measuring the voltage drop between cells as a load is applied

Question 50

When depowering the high-voltage battery system of a hybrid vehicle, _____.

A) lineman's gloves should be worn
B) never wear anything metallic [jewelry]
C) wait at least five minutes after disconnecting the HV batteries before working on the vehicle electrical system
D) all answers are correct

Question 51

Battery corrosion is commonly caused by spilled water and electrolyte condensation from ____________________.

Question 52

All the following are good safety precautions to follow when charging batteries EXCEPT:

A) Always wear safety glasses
B) Make sure the area is well ventilated
C) Never charge a frozen battery or one with damaged plates
D) Never allow the charging voltage to exceed 12.6 volts

Question 53

Specific gravity is measured with a ____________________.

Question 54

____________________ describes the battery's ability to conduct current.

Question 55

Technician A says overcharging can overheat and damage the battery. Technician B says overcharging causes gassing that can cause the battery to lose water. Who is correct?

A) A only
B) B only
C) both A and B
D) neither A nor B

Question 56

Technician A fast charges a sulfated battery then reinstalls it in the vehicle. Technician B trickle charges a sulfated battery over 24 hours before reinstalling it. Who is correct?

A) A only
B) B only
C) both A and B
D) neither A nor B

Question 57

The two types of battery cell designs used in high-voltage hybrid battery systems are cylindrical and _____.

A) prismatic
B) radial
C) hyperbolic
D) parabolic

Question 58

Sulfation can cause _____.

A) battery freezing in subzero weather
B) poor cranking in cold weather
C) both "battery freezing in subzero weather" and "poor cranking in cold weather"
D) neither "battery freezing in subzero weather" nor "poor cranking in cold weather"

Question 59

The amount of time a battery can be discharged at a certain rate before the voltage drops to a specified level is referred to as the ____________________ capacity of the battery.

Question 60

Technician A says jump-starting a battery can damage electronic components. Technician B says a dead battery should be jump-started instead of recharged. Who is correct?

A) A only
B) B only
C) both A and B
D) neither A nor B

Question 61

____________________ are chemical solutions that react with the metals used to construct the battery plates. This chemical reaction produces an electric voltage between the plates.

Question 62

What are parasitic loads?

Question 63

The only way to check a maintenance-free battery that does not have a built-in hydrometer is by ____________________ testing.

Question 64

Describe the cold-cranking amperes (CCA) rating system.

Question 65

____________________ is never added to maintenance-free batteries.

Question 66

Identify six things that shorten the life of a battery.

Question 67

Battery cables are typically ____________________ or ____________________ gauge wire.

Question 68

Identify five lead acid battery design types.

Question 69

If the built-in hydrometer of a maintenance-free battery is white, what should be done?

Question 70

What is meant by the term "specific gravity"?

Question 71

Battery sulfation is normally caused by ____________________.

Question 72

Identify battery inspection steps.

Question 73

Consult the manufacturer's ____________________ for procedures and precautions when jump-starting late model vehicles with electronic control systems.

Question 74

What causes gassing in a battery?

Question 75

List five personal safety precautions to follow when working with, or near, a battery.

Question 76

What are the functions of the metal box that surrounds the high-voltage batteries in a hybrid vehicle?

Question 77

How is a battery leakage test conducted?

Question 78

Before servicing the battery or battery cables, a ____________________ saver should be connected to the vehicle's electrical system to prevent erasure of data in the vehicle's computer and setup information in the entertainment and accessory systems.

Question 79

____________________ water should be used to top off the cells of a battery with removable cell covers.

Question 80

____________________ chargers provide low charging currents and require a day or more to bring the battery up to full state of charge.