Component Diagnosis - Battery Related Conditions

Battery Side Terminal Adapters:

Safety Precautions:

TOOL REQUIRED:
ST-1201 Battery Side Terminal Adapters

CAUTION: Refer to "CAUTION".

The following procedures should be used for testing batteries:
1. VISUAL INSPECTION - Check for damage, such as a cracked or broken case or cover that could permit loss of electrolyte. If damage is seen, determine the cause and correct as needed. If battery terminals are severely damaged, loose or broken, replace the battery. Evidence of small amounts of electrolyte leakage around the vent holes does not necessarily indicate the battery is defective. The leakage could have been caused by overcharging or tipping of the battery.
2. HYDROMETER CHECK - Lightly tap the top of the hydrometer after cleaning it and observe the indication:
^ GREEN EYE - Go to step 3 (Load Test).
^ BLACK OR DARK EYE - Charge the battery as described under "Battery Charging" and proceed to step 3.
^ CLEAR OR LIGHT YELLOW EYE - Replace the battery. Do not charge or test the battery.
3. LOAD TEST - Load testing requires using battery side terminal adapters on the battery to make good connections.
A. Replace, but do not load test any frozen battery.
B. Connect a voltmeter and a battery load tester to the battery terminals.
C. If battery has just been charged or used in a vehicle, apply a 300-ampere load for 15 seconds to remove surface charge from the battery. Remove the load.
D. Wait 15 seconds to let the battery recover, and apply the load specified on the battery label. After 15 seconds, read the voltage and then remove the load.

Temperature Vs. Voltage Drop:

E. If the voltage does not drop below the minimum, the battery is good and can be used. The battery temperature must be estimated by feel and by the temperature the battery has been exposed to for the preceding few hours.

Temperature Vs. Voltage Drop:

F. If the voltage is less than the battery standard minimum, replace the battery.