Session 3: Battery and its Maintenance
Module 5: Auto Electrical System
Textual Question-Answers
Check Your Progress
Fill in the blanks
1. Battery acid is very …………….. If it comes in contact withskin, wash with clean water.
Ans: corrosive
2. When connecting battery cables, always connect the……………cable last.
Ans: negative
3. Avoid any ………………or open flames near a battery, as thevapors produced can be explosive.
Ans: sparks
4. To clean a battery, you can use a solution of baking soda andwater or………………
Ans: ammonia solution
5. Battery’s state of charge can be determined by testing the specific gravity of the …………using a hydrometer
Ans: electrolyte
6. The open circuit voltage test is used to determine the battery’s…………and it is performed when a hydrometer is not available.
Ans: state of charge
Multiple Choice Questions
1. What is the purpose of battery inspection and cleaning in theautomotive electrical system?
a) To increase battery capacity
b) To reduce battery voltage
c) To prevent dirt and corrosion buildup
d) To enhance engine performance
Ans: c) To prevent dirt and corrosion buildup
2. When making connections to a battery, which of the followingshould you observe?
a) Connect positive to negative
b) Connect negative to positive
c) Observe no specific polarity
d) Connect positive to positive and negative to negative
Ans: d) Connect positive to positive and negative to negative
3. What is the purpose of adding baking soda to water when cleaninga battery?
a) To make the water conductive
b) To neutralize battery acid
c) To increase the battery’s capacity
d) To remove rust from terminals
Ans: b) To neutralize battery acid
4. Why should you avoid laying tools across a battery?
a) It might discharge the battery
b) It could damage the tools
c) It might cause a short circuit
d) It could lead to battery freezing
Ans: c) It might cause a short circuit
5. Which type of cable should you disconnect first when working ona battery?
a) Positive (hot) cable
b) Negative (ground) cable
c) Both cables simultaneously
d) It doesn’t matter which one you disconnect first
Ans: b) Negative (ground) cable
6. What should you wear to protect your eyes while servicing a battery?a) Gloves
b) Earplugs
c) Safety glasses or a face shield
d) A hard hat
Ans: c) Safety glasses or a face shield
Answer the following questions
1. Explain the importance of battery and its maintenance inautomobile.
Ans: The battery is an important component of an automobile as it supplieselectrical energy to start the engine and power electrical and electronicsystems. Proper battery maintenance ensures reliable starting, longer batterylife, and correct functioning of vehicle electrical components. Regularinspection, cleaning, and testing help prevent failures, corrosion, and suddenbreakdowns.
2. Write various precautions to be observed while handling the leadacid battery.
Ans : Precautions while handling a lead acid battery include wearing safetyglasses and gloves, avoiding sparks or open flames near the battery, not layingtools across battery terminals, handling electrolyte carefully, connectingcorrect polarity, and washing skin immediately with water if acid comes incontact.
3. Write the procedure of inspection and cleaning of a battery.
Ans: First, switch off the ignition and disconnect the negative cablefollowed by the positive cable. Inspect the battery case for cracks and leakage.
Check terminals for corrosion. Prepare a solution of baking soda and waterand clean the terminals and battery top using a brush. Rinse with clean water,
dry the battery, apply petroleum jelly on terminals, and reconnect the positivecable first and the negative cable last.
4. Name various tests carried out on a lead acid battery and explaineach one of those tests.
Ans: The tests carried out on a lead acid battery are:
Visual inspection test, which checks the physical condition of the battery.
Hydrometer test, which measures the specific gravity of electrolyte todetermine state of charge.
Open circuit voltage test, which measures battery voltage without load tocheck state of charge.
Load test, which checks the battery’s ability to supply current under load conditions.
5. Write different faults occur in lead acid battery, their causes andremedies.
Ans Common faults in a lead acid battery include sulphation caused byundercharging, which can be corrected by proper charging. Low electrolytelevel occurs due to evaporation and should be corrected by adding distilledwater. Corroded terminals are caused by acid fumes and can be cleaned usingbaking soda solution. Dead battery may occur due to internal short circuit andrequires replacement.
Activity
1. Make a list of the tools and equipment required for checking andcleaning of automotive battery
Ans:
1. Name of the tools/ equipment: Safety glasses
2. Name of the tools/ equipment: Battery terminal cleaner or wire brush3. Name of the tools/ equipment: Hydrometer
4. Name of the tools/ equipment: Digital multimeter
2. Prepare a poster showing cutout of the battery and label all thecomponents.
Ans: The poster should show a cutout view of a lead acid battery withlabels such as positive terminal, negative terminal, battery case, electrolyte,
separator plates, positive plates, and negative plates.
