Automotive Battery

We are confuse when it comes to the vehicle battery, some questions in our mind “how the battery says that main source of electricity in our vehicle” “how battery store the electricity” how battery charge himself”. Those are the questions that give an answer once you read this webquest module.

Batteries And Power System.

The word battery simply means a group of similar components. In military vocabulary, a “battery” refers to a cluster of guns. In electricity, a “battery” is a set of voltaic cells designed to provide greater voltage and/or current than is possible with one cell alone.

For the mean time let's watch a short video.

https://youtu.be/9gu2X87xR3A

The cells in an automotive battery are contained within the same hard rubber housing, connected together with thick, lead bars instead of wires. The electrodes and electrolyte solutions for each cell are contained in separate, partitioned sections of the battery case. In large batteries, the electrodes commonly take the shape of thin metal grids or plates and are often referred to as plates instead of electrodes. As was stated before, the voltage produced by any particular kind of cell is determined strictly by the chemistry of that cell type. The size of the cell is irrelevant to its voltage. To obtain greater voltage than the output of a single cell, multiple cells must be connected in series. The total voltage of a battery is the sum of all cell voltages. A typical automotive lead-acid battery has six cells, for a nominal voltage output of 6 x 2.0 or 12.0 volts.

You can visit this link for further information about battery construction.

https://www.mpoweruk.com/cell_construction.htm

A battery is a cluster of cells connected together for greater voltage and/or current capacity. Cells connected together in series (polarities aiding) results in greater total voltage. The battery is one of the most important components of a car, as it’s what powers the vehicle and all the electronics inside it.

If the vehicle isn’t performing as well as it used to, then a low voltage battery may be to blame. Below, we’ll tell you what the voltage of a car battery should be.

A fully charged battery should read 12.6 volts or above. When the engine is running, that number should be between 13.7 and 14.7 volts. If the battery is reading at 12.4 volts, then it’s 75% charged. At 12 volts, it drops to 25%. Once the battery reads at 11.8 volts, it’s considered to be completely discharged.

How to Test a Car BatteryIn order to check the voltage of a car battery, you’ll want to test it with a voltmeter. Make sure to put on a pair of gloves and goggles to protect yourself, and then perform the following steps:

• Turn the vehicle and all its lights off. Connect the positive (red) voltmeter to the battery’s positive terminal.

• Connect the negative (black) voltmeter test lead to the battery’s negative terminal.

• Check the reading to see the current voltage of your car battery.

• Anything lower than 12.2 volts, and it’s identified as a bad battery.

When to Get a New Battery?

• A bad battery is usually five years old and won’t accept or hold a charge. It also can’t produce adequate cranking amps.Those are the number of electric currents that a lead-acid battery at 32 degrees Fahrenheit can deliver for 30 seconds.

• Essentially, it’s how much power you have to start your car in most climates. If the car battery doesn’t produce enough cranking amps, then your car may not start.

• At that point, you’d have to get a new battery.

There are other signs that’ll indicate a new car battery is needed. They include:

• Slow engine crank: The battery may be failing if it takes longer than normal for your car to start.

• Swelling or bloating battery case: Excessive heat can cause a battery case to swell, which would decrease its life.

• Low battery fluid level: Car batteries usually have a translucent casing, so you can see the battery fluid level. If it dips below the lead plates (i.e., energy conductor) inside, then the battery needs to be tested right away.

• Lights and accessories don’t work as well: Not only does the battery start the car, but it also powers the electronics inside. So, if the lights are dimming, or the radio isn’t working properly, then the battery may be on its way out.