Confirm proper battery capacity for vehicle application; perform battery capacity test; determine necessary action

Lesson Plan for

AUT 154-155 Maintenance and Light Repair Section C

Course HS Title: / Maintenance and Light Repair / Program:
KCTCS Courses included in HS Title: (Lesson is prepared for course highlighted.)
KCTCS Course No. / KCTCS Course Title
Introduction/Context / This lesson will instruct students on the proper procedures for performing a battery capacity test. It will also instruct students on how to choose the proper battery for the vehicle application they are working on.
Prepared By / School / Date:
Grade Level / No. Students / No.IEP's: / Lesson Length:
Task
Confirm proper battery capacity for vehicle application; perform battery capacity test; determine necessary action
No. / Objective
1 / Given the proper tools and instructions from a vehicle manufacturers' shop manual, Automotive Technology Textbook, or vehicle software program, students will be able to confirm proper battery capacity for vehicle application; perform battery capacity test, determine necessary action, and pass a written exam on the task with 100% accuracy by the end of the course.

Connections:

Skills Standards:
OH 001
OH 002
OH 003
OD 002
OD 003
OD 005
New Common Core Standards:
RST 11-12 3
N-Q.1
Common Core Technical Standards:
TD-OPS 2
TD-SYS 2
New Generation Science Standards:
HS-PS2-5.
HS-PS3-3.
HS-PS3-5.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS/TECHNOLOGY

Teacher Designed Materials and Other Handouts

Instructor may copy content section of this plan and use it as a handout for students.


Textbooks and Workbooks

Author / Title/ISBN No. / Edition / Publisher / Pages
Automotive Excellence 1 & 2 / McGraw-Hill / EL33-EL35


Supplies

Quantity / Item / Source
2 / 12 Volt car batteries / NAPA


Equipment

Quantity / Item / Source
4 / Battery Maint Kit / Sears, Snap-On
2 / Digital Volt-Ohm Tester / Fluke
1 / VAT40 or AVR Carbon PileTester / Snap-On


Content/Presentation/Demonstration Outline

Explain the proper procedures for testing the battery's capacity. Batteries come in many sizes; they also have the potential to maintain different capacities.
To instruct students on battery capacity testing, the student must first know the recommended capacity of the vehicle being worked on. Have students look into the service manual or automotive software program for the correct battery application. In most cases the bigger the engine, or a vehicle with a great deal of accessories, will need a battery with a higher capacity rating.
To determine the battery's actual capacity, a battery load test will need to be performed. This is also called a high-rate discharge test. The load test is a test that measures terminal voltage while the battery is supplying a large current for 15 seconds.
Typical load testers include a voltmeter, ammeter, and an adjustable carbon pile resistor. Before a load test can be performed, the battery will have to have an adequate charge of at least 12.4 volts. A battery that does not have an adequate charge will usually fail the load test.
Connect the tester to the battery according to the factory service manual, or the instructions supplied with the tester. Remove any surface charges by turning on the headlights or cranking the engine. Turn off any lights or accessories after 3-5 minutes.
Apply a load equal to one half the CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) rating of the battery with the carbon pile resistor. Apply this load for 15 seconds. This rating is usually found on a label on the battery case. After 15 seconds, note the battery's voltage and turn off load.
If the battery maintained a voltage of 9.6 or higher, the battery is good.
When using the carbon pile resistor, a great amount of heat will be generated inside the tester. Allow the tester to cool for a few minutes between tests.

Applications/Practice

1 / Students can practice this task in the shop. Have them perform tests on two vehicles. Test one vehicle containing a good battery, and one containing a bad battery. After testing both vehicles, students should be competent in their skills.


Evaluation and feedback Prior to Testing or Lab Work

1 / Instructor should observe the students as they practice the battery load capacity testing. Since the students will be working on a vehicle with a fully charged battery, the instructor must make sure all safety precautions are being followed. Instructor should create a checklist to be sure students have participated in the test, and have shown competency in the skills needed to perform these tasks.


STUDENT ASSESSMENT:(Assess student progress with performance criteria.)

1 / Multiple-choice tests on the battery capacity test will be given at the end of this course. Sample Question: We must use the battery's CCA rating as a guide to load test a battery, what percent is used? A. 20% B. 50% C. 35% D. 65% - Correct answer B. 50%.
IMPACT--Reflection/Analysis of Teaching and Learning: (How did students progress in relation to the state objectives? Was the instruction successful? Analyze samples of student work, particularly that which is unsatisfactory, for the purpose of planning further instruction.)
REFINEMENT--Lesson Extension and Follow-up: (To be filled in as the lesson is modified during initial planning and/or during the teaching learning process.)