Basics of Batteries Lesson Plan   

Performance Objectives:  

After completion of the lesson, students will be able to:

1.  Understand the purpose of the battery 2. Indentify components of the battery and battery types 3. Understand battery cycling 4. Explain battery ratings and the effects of cold/hot temperatures 

 

Standards: 

 1. Follow precisely a complex multistep procedure when carrying out 

experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks, attending to special cases or exceptions defined in the text. 

2. Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain‐specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 9–12 texts and topics. 

 

Assessment 

 Cornell Notes Worksheet  Battery Basics Summative Writing  Summative Writing Rubric  

Materials: 

 IML Battery Basics PDF Reading  Battery Basics Cornell Notes Worksheet  Battery Basics Summative Writing Worksheet  Summative Writing Rubric  

Procedure:   Entire Class:  Do Now: Have students write down 5 things they think they know about batteries and when they work.   Group students  into groups and discuss what they know with group 

Instructor:  MacDonald/Christner   

Date:  

 Course Title:  Automotive Service Technology 1

 Specific Topic:  Batteries   

Reading Assignment: IML Basic Batteries PDF Reading

   

members.  Have group report out 2 of the things they know about batteries.

    Individual:  Students will complete Basic Batteries reading.  Fill out Cornell note work sheet.  Students will complete Basic Batteries Summary writing assignment.   Groups:  Students will get back into groups and discuss major topics on their Cornell notes worksheet.   

 

Application of Material: 

 Today was the introduction to Batteries module.  Students that have a better understanding of batteries work are better prepared for starting and charging labs.   

Extension Question: 

 Can students apply basic battery concepts in the diagnoses of starting and charging concerns?  

Accommodations needed: 

          

 

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uNiT 4: BATTEry DiAGNOSiS AND SErViCE

LESSON �: THE BASiCS OF THE BATTEry

I. Purpose of the battery

A. The battery is an electrochemical device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy. When the battery is placed under load, it converts stored chemicals into electricity. Current then flows through the battery cables to its destination.

B. The main function of the battery is to start the vehicle. The battery is designed to provide a very large amount of current for a very short period of time. Electricity from the battery is used to operate the starter motor and provide current for the ignition system during engine cranking. The surge of current is necessary to turn over the engine during starting.

C. When the engine is off, electricity from the battery is used to operate the lighting, accessories, and/or other electrical systems.

D. When the engine is running, electricity from the battery can be used to supplement the charging system when electrical load requirements exceed the charging system’s ability to produce electricity. Both the battery and alternator supply electricity when demand is high.

II. Components of the battery

A. The battery is a lead-acid storage design. A standard 12-volt battery is made up of six cells connected in series. Each cell produces about 2 volts.

1. The cells are made up of the cell compartment and battery element.

a. The cell compartment holds the battery element.

b. The battery element is made up of positive and negative grid plates.

• The positive (+) plates are composed of lead dioxide (PbO2), and the negative (-) plates are composed of lead (Pb).

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• Theplatesarealternated:positiveplate,negativeplate,andsoon.Aseparatorisinsertedbetweenthedifferentlychargedplates.

2. Thebatteryelementplatesareconnectedbyleadbatterystraps.Thestrapsrunalongthetopofthecaseandconnecttheplates.Onestrapconnectsthenegativeplatesandtheotherconnectsthepositiveplates.

3. Theterminalsaretheendofeachoftheleadbatterystraps.Thereisapositive(+)terminalandanegative(-)terminal.Thepositiveterminalpostisslightlylargerthanthenegativeterminalpost.Theterminalscanbetoppostsorsideterminals.

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4. The battery cables connect the battery terminals to the electrical system. The positive cable is generally red and connects to the starter solenoid. The negative cable is generally black and connects to ground on the engine block.

5. The cells are filled with electrolyte, or battery acid. Electrolyte produces the chemical action within the plates. Electrolyte consists of approximately 40% sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and 60% distilled water (H2O).

6. The battery case holds the cells. It is usually constructed of molded polypropylene, a high-quality plastic. The case must be able to withstand vibration, extreme temperature changes, and corrosion from electrolyte.

7. The battery cover seals the top of the case. It is attached to the top of the case.

8. The battery caps snap into the holes in the battery cover. The caps prevent electrolyte from splashing out of the battery and prevent sparks and flames from igniting the gases produced inside the battery.

9. The battery is held in place by the battery tray and retainer. The battery hold-down connects the battery to the tray and retainer.

III. Types of batteries

A. There are two common types of batteries used in today’s vehicle: serviceable and maintenance-free. Approximately 70% of batteries are maintenance-free.

1. The serviceable battery can be serviced by adding distilled water to the electrolyte. It has removable filler caps.

2. The maintenance-free battery is a heavy-duty version of a serviceable battery. The tops of the battery cells are covered with a snap-in cover. The plates are made from calcium, which reduces the heat and gassing inside the battery that cause water loss. Therefore, distilled water does not have to be added to the electrolyte.

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IV. Battery cycling

A. Battery cycling is the continuous discharge/charge of the battery.

1. Discharging occurs when current flows from the battery. Discharge is the flow of electrons from a specific source. During discharge, the positive and negative battery plates interact with electrolyte, causing a chemical action that produces electricity.

CAUTION: Batteries release flammable hydrogen and oxygen gases while discharging. Keep batteries away from open flames or sparks to avoid an explosion.

a. As the battery discharges, lead dioxide in the active material of the positive plate combines with sulfate (SO4) from the sulfuric acid in the electrolyte, transforming the material in the positive plate into lead sulfate (PbSO4). The oxygen (O2) from this transformation combines with hydrogen (H2) from the sulfuric acid to produce water, which combines with the electrolyte.

b. A similar reaction takes place simultaneously at the negative plate. Lead in the active material of the negative plate combines with sulfate from the sulfuric acid in electrolyte to produce lead sulfate.

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c. Both the positive and negative plates produce lead sulfate.

d. The electrolyte is diluted, lowering its specific gravity. Specific gravity is the weight of a liquid compared to water.

e. The discharge process eventually leaves the battery unable to produce current.

2. After discharge, the chemical action must be reversed to restore the battery’s ability to produce current. This reverse process is charging.

a. The lead sulfate in the positive and negative plates must be transformed to original condition: lead dioxide in the positive plates and lead in the negative plates.

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b. Electrolyte combines with sulfate given up by both the positive and negative plates. The battery then regains a high content of sulfuric acid.

V. Battery ratings and the effects of cold/hot temperatures

A. Battery ratings are set according to national testing standards for performance. The ratings allow the technician and consumer to compare the cranking power of one battery to another.

1. The two most common ratings are the cold cranking rating and the reserve capacity rating.

NOTE: The amp-hour rating was used at one time to indicate battery power. It is the amount of current a battery produces over a 20-hour period at 80°F (27°C) without battery voltage falling below 10.5 volts.

a. The cold cranking rating is the ability of the battery to provide an amperage load for 30 seconds at 0°F without the terminal voltage falling below 7.2 volts. This rating indicates the battery’s ability to crank an engine at a specified temperature.

• For example, a manufacturer might recommend a battery with a 305 cold cranking rating for a four-cylinder engine, but a battery with a 450 cold cranking rating for an eight-cylinder engine. A more powerful battery is needed to handle the larger starter current draw on the larger engine.

b. The reserve capacity rating is the time needed to lower

terminal voltage below 10.2 volts at a discharge rate of 25 amperes with the battery fully charged and at 80°F (27°C). This rating is given in minutes.

• For example, a reserve capacity rating of 120 minutes

indicates that in the event of a charging system failure, the battery is discharged at a rate of 25 amps for 2 hours (60 minutes x 2 = 120 minutes) at 80°F. Meaning the driver has 120 minutes of driving time under minimum electrical load before the battery is completely dead.

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B. The effect of temperature on battery efficiency

1. Cold temperatures slow the chemical action inside the battery and reduce the amount of power that the battery produces.

2. The engine requires more power to start in cold temperatures because the oil in the engine gets thick.

3. These factors contribute to the vehicle being hard to start on cold days.

4. Hot weather adversely affects the battery as well, causing it to self-discharge more quickly.

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Name________________________________ Period______________________________

Basics of Batteries Cornell Notes

Directions: As you read the assigned articles take notes on the topics listed in the key points section. You will use this information to construct a summary paragraph using only the information on this page.

Key Points Note-taking Column

Purpose of the battery __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

Components of the battery

__________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

Types of batteries __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

Battery cycling __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

Battery ratings and the effects of cold/hot

temperatures

__________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

Name:______________________________ 

Period: ____________________________ 

Writing Instructions:    

Below write at least 3 complete sentences summarizing each of 

the key points. (3 sentences for each key point for a total of at least 15 sentences.) 

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6/27/12 1:19 PMiRubric: Automotive Safety Technology: SUMMARIZATION RUBRIC - U7A523: RCampus

Page 1 of 1file:///Users/sipps/Desktop/iRubric:%20Automotive%20Safety%20Tec…ogy:%20SUMMARIZATION%20RUBRIC%20-%20U7A523:%20RCampus.webarchive

Rubric: Automotive Safety Technology: SUMMARIZATION RUBRICUsing summary skills to evaluate reading comprehension.

Summarization Rubric

ATTEMPTED1 pts

NEEDS GUIDANCE2 pts

PROFICIENT3 pts

MASTERED4 pts

Succintness pts Student includesessential content—identifying keyconcepts andcondensing relevantsupporting informationto explain theconcepts.

ATTEMPTED

Generic details arelisted.

NEEDSGUIDANCE

Topic may beidentified, but not keyconcepts.Most supportinginformation is missing.Or studentindiscriminately listsinformation.

PROFICIENT

Most key concepts areidentified. Supportinginformation explainsthe concepts in abroad way.Demonstrates anability to generalizeinformation.

MASTERED

All key concepts areidentified. Supportinginformation creates anexact explanation ofthe concepts.Demonstrates anability to synthesizeinformation.

Organization pts Student organizesinformation from thereading selection in alogical format.

ATTEMPTED

No evidence oforganizationattempted.

NEEDSGUIDANCE

Organization israndom ordisconnected. There isnot an identifiableintroduction, body,and/or conclusion.

PROFICIENT

Organization isorderly. Sometransition words areused to connectinformation. There isindication of anintroductorystatement, body, andconcluding statement.

MASTERED

Organization is logical.Transitions smoothlylink each pointtogether.There is a clearlydevelopedintroduction, body,and conclusion.The source of theinformation isincluded.

Written Form pts Studentdemonstrates controlof the written form.

ATTEMPTED

Writing is illegible.

NEEDSGUIDANCE

Writing is unclear orsimplistic. Sentences are choppyor awkward.Convention errorsmake writing hard tounderstand.Word choice is simpleor not appropriate tothe subject. Subjectspecific vocabulary ismissing.Or student may copymuch of the contentfrom the readingselection.

PROFICIENT

Writing isunderstandable. Sentences arecomplete, but may bemechanical. Convention errors donot make writing hardto understand. Wordchoice is appropriateto the subject. Somesubject specificvocabulary appears inthe summary. Studentmostly uses his/herown words.

MASTERED

Writing is clear andexpressive. Sentencesconnect with a naturalflow/rhythm and arevaried in style.Fewconvention errorsoccur. Word choice isspecific and accurate.Subject specificvocabulary is appliedwith understanding.Student uses her/hisown words in a naturalway.

Build free rubrics at www.iRubric.com. Design, share, assess, collaborate. Rubric Code: U7A523