Servicing automotive battery

Job Title: JOB SHEET LO5-1

Cleaning the battery top terminals and cable clamp

Reading: Cleaning the battery - Reference
Automotive Mechanics pp. 356-357

Objective: To clean the battery top, terminals and cable clamp.

Laboratory Work: MATERIALS REQUIRED:

Battery and accessories
Tools and Equipment:

Rags
Water
Terminal Brush
Solution of baking soda and water
Anti-corrosion compound or paint

PROCEDURE:

Clean the terminals, cables and clamps with a battery terminal
brush. Clean the battery top with a solution of baking soda and
water until the foaming stops. Flush off the battery with tap water.
To retard corrosion, coat the terminals with anti-corrosion
compound or paint.

EVALUATION:

1. Battery tops are properly cleaned
2. Vent cap/ battery terminals and connectors are free from defects.
3. All bolt cells must have maximum electrolyte level. If it registers low, add distilled water.
4. Check battery voltage.

Code No. Servicing Automotive Battery Date: Developed Date: Revised Page #
ALT723303
Aug. 15, 2003 March 1, 2006 47

Assessment Instrument

Evidence Plan Questions Demo
Competency Standard: Automotive Service Technician Interview
Unit of Competency: Test, Service and Replace Battery NC1

The evidence must show that candidate:
L01 Identify and explain the operation and safe handling of different

types of battery
1.1 Identify the components of battery
1.2 Classify different types of batteries
1.3 Explain the different uses of battery according to vehicle

classification.
1.4 Observe handling of batteries
1.5 Identify hazards associated with batteries.
L02 Demonstrate the testing of an automotive battery
2.1 Perform different types of battery testing.
2.2 Test battery without causing damage to workplace, property

or vehicle.
2.3 Access and interpret correct information from appropriate

manufacturer’s specification.
2.4 Select and use appropriate test equipment
2.5 Perform test and analyze result
2.6 Report findings to direct supervisor
2.7 Observe personal safety.
L03 Demonstrate the correct procedure for removing and replacing
batteries.
3.1 Follow proper procedure in removing and replacing battery.
3.2 Remove battery without causing damage to workplace
3.3 Follow proper procedure to prevent loss of vehicle electronic

memory as per manufacturer’s standard (if necessary)
3.4 Select and use appropriate tools and equipment
3.5 Observe personal safety in removing and replacing battery
L04 Demonstrate the correct procedure in servicing and charging
batteries.
4.1 Charge battery using the appropriate battery charger.
4.2 Check electrolyte level and top up if necessary
4.3 Clean battery and terminals
4.4 Repair/ replace multiple connectors to restore integrity in

accordance with manufacturer’s specification.
4.5 Connect/ disconnect leads in sequence or for polarity as

indicated in the manual.
4.6 Observe personal safety in servicing and charging battery.
L05 Demonstrate the procedure of jumpstarting battery
5.1 Jumpstart a vehicle without causing damage to workplace,

property or vehicle
5.2 Select appropriate jumper leads to ensure spark protection
5.3 Connect / disconnect leads in correct sequence and polarity
5.4 Observe PPE/ safety practices

Code No. Servicing Automotive Battery Date: Developed Date: Revised Page #
ALT723303
Aug. 15, 2003 March 1, 2006 48

DEMONSTRATION

Candidate’s name:

Assessor’s name:

Unit of Competency

Competency Standards

Date of Assessment

Time of Assessment

Instructions for demonstration

Materials and Equipment:

Battery mock-up, hydrometer, battery charger, voltmeter, multi-tester, wrenches, battery

cables, steel brush, distilled water, and electrolyte.

OBSERVATION To show if evidence is

demonstrated

During the demonstration of skills, did the candidate Yes No N/A

L01

1. Identify the main components of battery?

2. Demonstrate handling of batteries safely?

L02
3. Perform different types of battery testing?
4. Interpret correct information from appropriate manufacturer’s
specification.
5. Select and use appropriate testing equipment?
6. Perform tests and analyze results?

L03
7. Remove battery without causing damage to workplace or
vehicle.

L04
8. Charge battery using appropriate battery charger?
9. Check and top electrolyte levels of battery?
10. Repair/ replace battery connectors?
11. Connect/ disconnect in sequence battery polarity and
leads?

L05
12. Jumpstart vehicle without causing damage to property or
vehicles
13. Select appropriate jumper leads to prevent spark?

Code No. Servicing Automotive Battery Date: Developed Date: Revised Page #
ALT723303
Aug. 15, 2003 March 1, 2006 49

Questioning Review

Candidate name: Test, Service and Replace Battery
Unit of Competency: Automotive Services Technician NCI
Competency Standards
Oral / interview questions Satisfactory Response
Yes No

L01 What are the main components of an automotive battery?
1. Differentiate types of batteries according to composition
2. and function.
Explain the uses of batteries according to vehicle
3. classification.
Identify hazards associated with batteries
4.

L02 Interpret correct information form manufacturer
5. specification.
Report findings.
6. Do you observe personal safety in servicing and charging
7. battery?
Do you select the appropriate jumper leads to prevent
8. spark?

Code No. Servicing Automotive Battery Date: Developed Date: Revised Page #
ALT723303
Aug. 15, 2003 March 1, 2006 50

PERFORMANCE TEST

Learner's Name Date
Competency: ___________________________________
Test Attempt
1st 2nd 3rd

Directions: OVERALL EVALUATION

CALL INSTRUCTOR and ask Level PERFORMANCE LEVELS
him/her to assess your Achieved
performance in the following critical 4 - Can perform this skill without supervision and with
task and performance criteria initiative and adaptability to problem situations.
indicated below 3 - Can perform this skill satisfactorily without
assistance or supervision.
You will be rated based on the 2 - Can perform this skill satisfactorily but requires
overall evaluation outlined on the some assistance and/or supervision.
right side. 1 - Can perform parts of this skill satisfactorily, but
requires considerable assistance and/or supervision.

Instructor will initial level achieved.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS Yes No N/A
For acceptable achievement, all items should receive a "Yes" or
"N/A" response.
• Main components of battery are identified

• Kinds of battery according to composition and function are
differentiated.

• Uses of different batteries according to vehicle classification are
explained

• Safe handling and hazards associated with batteries are observed

• Different types of battery testing are performed.

• Battery is tested without causing damage to workplace, property or
vehicle.

• Battery information is assessed and interpreted based on manufacturer
specification.

• Appropriate test equipment is selected and used.

• Tests are performed and result analyzed.

• Findings are reported to direct supervisor.

• Personal safety is observed.

• Battery is removed without causing damage to the workplace, property
or vehicle.

• Proper procedure is followed in removing/ replacing battery.

• Proper procedure is followed to prevent loss of vehicle electronics
memory as per manufacturer’s standards (if applicable.)

Code No. Servicing Automotive Battery Date: Developed Date: Revised Page #
ALT723303
Aug. 15, 2003 March 1, 2006 51

• Appropriate tools and equipment are used.

• Personal safety in removing and replacing battery is observed.

• Battery is charged using appropriate battery charger.

• Electrolyte levels are checked and topped up as necessary.

• Battery and its terminals are cleaned.

• Multiple connectors are used in accordance with manufacturer’s
specification.

• Leads are connected/disconnected in sequence and in correct polarity
as indicated in the manual.

• Personal safety in servicing and charging battery is observed.

• Vehicle is jump started without causing damage to the workplace,
property or vehicle.

• Appropriate jumper leads are used to prevent spark and protection is
employed when necessary.

• Leads are connected/disconnected in correct sequence and polarity.

• PPE/safe practices are observed.

Code No. Servicing Automotive Battery Date: Developed Date: Revised Page #
ALT723303
Aug. 15, 2003 March 1, 2006 52

Learner’s diary

DIARY NOTES

Record important dates, jobs undertaken and other workplace events that will assist you in providing further
details to an Assessor.
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Code No. Servicing Automotive Battery Date: Developed Date: Revised Page #
ALT723303
Aug. 15, 2003 March 1, 2006 53

Record of Achievement

Module: Servicing Automotive Battery

LO#1: Identify and explain the operation and safe handling of different types of battery.

Performance Criteria:

1. Main Components of battery are identified.
2. Kinds of battery according to composition and function are differentiated.
3. Uses of different batteries according to vehicle classification are explained.
4. Safe handling and hazards associated with batteries are observed

Comments:
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Learner has satisfied the above performance criteria.
Learner’s signature: .....................................................................
Trainer’s signature: ......................................................................
Date: ............................................................................................

Code No. Servicing Automotive Battery Date: Developed Date: Revised Page #
ALT723303
Aug. 15, 2003 March 1, 2006 54

Record of Achievement

Module: Servicing Automotive Battery

LO#2: Demonstrate on how to test an automotive battery.

Performance Criteria:

1. Different types of battery testing are performed.
2. Battery is tested without causing damage to workplace, property or vehicle.
3. Battery information is assessed and interpreted based on manufacturer specification.
4. Appropriate test equipment is selected and used.
5. Tests are performed and result analyzed.
6. Findings are reported to direct supervisor.
7. Personal safety is observed.

Comments:
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Learner has satisfied the above performance criteria.
Learner’s signature: .....................................................................
Trainer’s signature: ......................................................................
Date: ............................................................................................

Code No. Servicing Automotive Battery Date: Developed Date: Revised Page #
ALT723303
Aug. 15, 2003 March 1, 2006 55

Record of Achievement

Module: Servicing Automotive Battery

LO#3: Demonstrate the correct procedure on how to remove and replace batteries.

Performance Criteria:

1. Battery is removed without causing damage to the workplace, property or vehicle.
2. Proper procedure is followed in removing/ replacing battery.
3. Proper procedure is followed to prevent loss of vehicle electronics memory as per

manufacturer’s standards (if applicable.)
4. Appropriate tools and equipment are used.
5. Personal safety in removing and replacing battery is observed.

Comments:
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Learner has satisfied the above performance criteria.
Learner’s signature: .....................................................................
Trainer’s signature: ......................................................................
Date: ............................................................................................

Code No. Servicing Automotive Battery Date: Developed Date: Revised Page #
ALT723303
Aug. 15, 2003 March 1, 2006 56

Record of Achievement

Module: Servicing Automotive Battery

LO#4: Demonstrate the correct procedure on how to service and charge batteries.

Performance Criteria:

1. Battery is charged using appropriate battery charger.
2. Electrolyte levels are checked and topped up as necessary.
3. Battery and its terminals are cleaned.
4. Multiple connectors are used in accordance with manufacturer’s specification.
5. Leads are connected/disconnected in sequence and in correct polarity as indicated in

the manual.
6. Personal safety in servicing and charging battery is observed.

Comments:
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Learner has satisfied the above performance criteria.
Learner’s signature: .....................................................................
Trainer’s signature: ......................................................................
Date: ............................................................................................

Code No. Servicing Automotive Battery Date: Developed Date: Revised Page #
ALT723303
Aug. 15, 2003 March 1, 2006 57

Record of Achievement

Module: Servicing Automotive Battery

LO#5: Demonstrate the correct procedure on how to jumpstart battery.

Performance Criteria:

1. Vehicle is jump started without causing damage to the workplace, property or vehicle.
2. Appropriate jumper leads are used to prevent spark and protection is employed when

necessary.
3. Leads are connected/disconnected in correct sequence and polarity.
4. PPE/safe practices are observed.

Comments:
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Learner has satisfied the above performance criteria.
Learner’s signature: .....................................................................
Trainer’s signature: ......................................................................
Date: ............................................................................................

Code No. Servicing Automotive Battery Date: Developed Date: Revised Page #
ALT723303
Aug. 15, 2003 March 1, 2006 58

Terms and Definitions

Battery - an electrochemical device for storing energy in chemical form so that it can be
released as electricity for cranking the engine and powering the electrical load.

Battery Acid – the electrolyte used in a battery; a mixture of sulfuric acid and water.

Battery Charger – an equipment used to charge battery capacity given in ampere hours.

Cell tester – a testing device used to measure the voltage of each cell of battery.

Circuit – the complete path of an electric current including current source.

Corrosion – a process of combining one metal with oxygen producing an undesirable
product.

Electrolyte - the liquid mixture of about 40% sulfuric acid and 60% water in a fully charged
lead-acid storage battery.

Hydrometer – a testing device used to measure the specific gravity of battery electrolyte.

Load tester- an instrument used to measure the capacity or load of a battery.

Multi-tester – a device used to measure two or more instruments.

Plate Strap – a part of a battery which is composed of both negative and positive
accessories

Polarity - the quality of an electric component or circuit that determines the direction of
current flow.

Side Terminal – the positive or negative terminal found in a maintenance free battery type.

Volt meter – an instrument used to measure the electromotive force or voltage of a battery.

Code No. Servicing Automotive Battery Date: Developed Date: Revised Page #
ALT723303
Aug. 15, 2003 March 1, 2006 59