Testing Batteries

Question 1

how can you tell if a battery is lead acid?

Answer 1

it has caps that you can remove to access the electrolytes

Question 2

Steps to test a lead acid battery

Answer 2

3. remove caps and observe water level
4. test for specific gravity of each cell and document it. A fully charged battery at 80 degrees is apx 1.260-1.280.
5. note any desparity between cells. it should not exceed .050 below the other cells. if it does consider battery replacement or equalization.
6. add distilled water if necessary
7. load test the battery
   i. remove battery from boat
   ii. test the battery to half of the CCA rating
   iii. test to a third of the MCA rating
   iiii. 3 times the amp hour rating
   iiiii. connect the load tester and test for 15 seconds
   iiiiii. observe minimum voltage with load applied and observe how quickly the batter voltage jumps back up after load is removed. min voltage between 75-80 degrees should not be below 9.6. if it is consider battery replacement.
8. observe battery case for bulging,

Question 3

if a battery is bulging, what is this an indication of?

Answer 3

overcharging, or low water

Question 4

get rid of this card

Answer 4

get rid of this card

Question 5

what steps do you need to take to test a conductance meter

Answer 5

1. identify the CCA rating, the Amp hour rating, or the MCA rating
2. Turn off all charging loads to the battery,
3. Allow battery to rest for 30 minutes
4. connect conductance meter per manufacturers instructions
5. follow menu driven procedures/ tests

Question 6

how much wiggle room can a battery safely have?

Answer 6

no more than 1”

Question 7

At what rating are you required to have a battery switch?

Answer 7

800 CCA

Question 8

how far must a metallic fuel line be from a battery bank?

Answer 8

12” unless protected with dielectric sheilding

Question 9

what are batteries required to have if directly below fuel tanks, fuel lines, or fuel filters?

Answer 9

intervening sole, floor, or deck

Question 10

should you place batteries directly below electrical equipment susceptible to corrosive gasses

Answer 10

no

Question 11

what steps do you have to take to test all batteries?

Answer 11

1. turn off all chargers and loads
2. let battery rest for 30 mins
3. test for open circuit voltage. voltage should be between 12.6-12.8. for battery specific voltages reference manufacturer
4. note the voltage
5. load test the battery:
   i. remove from boat
   ii. load test to 1/2 of the CCA rating, 1/3 of the MCA rating, 3 times the amp hour rating
   iii. connect the load tester and test for 15 seconds
   iiii. observe min voltage with load applied and observe how quickly the voltage jumps back after load is removed. min voltage at 75-80 degrees should not be below 9.6.
6. observe battery case for bulging