December 2021 - 66
TOOL BRIEFING
Diverse methods
for battery diagnostics
How to put your shop's tools to work for effective battery diagnoses.
By Chris Reynolds, Contributing Editor
A
s a public educator and
technician, it's sometimes
difficult to transfer
immediate and advanced needs
of the industry in instruction due
to major diversity in methods of
approach. Fortunately, a significant
portion of the problems
technicians face as part of their
daily routine are fundamental in
nature. This is where it becomes
critical to develop and encourage
personal understanding of
fundamental principles related
to electricity/electronics.
Given the initial fear new technicians
may have of electricity/electronics, I've
found it much easier to present systems
and components that express the theory
and operation of the following:
* Potential energy (battery, power supply)
*
Circuit protection (fuses, circuit
breakers, fusible links)
* Switching mechanisms (switches,
relays, transistors)
* Conductors (wiring)
* Engineered load (headlight, solenoid,
module, actuator)
While all have significant value in a
well-engineered circuit, nothing sticks out
more than the first item, potential energy.
This is where practical battery theory,
inspection, and service plays a key role in
developing technicians who are competent
upon entry into the workforce.
At the most fundamental level, a vehicle's
power supply must be in good working
order to operate any component on a
vehicle. Technician competency in battery
analysis and appropriate testing methods
p Figure 1 - Digital multimeter.
must be top-notch upon entry into the
workforce as many new technicians deal
specifically with tire, battery, and accessory
service.
BATTERY TESTING OPTIONS
Variations commonly found amongst
12V batteries on the market are absorbed
glass-mat (AGM) and flooded leadacid
batteries (serviceable and nonserviceable).
While diagnostics are
similar, service and maintenance vary
based on accessibility and chemical/
structural variances amongst each type.
Common testing procedures I teach and
rely on include the use of the following
tools: digital multimeter, conductance
tester (low amperage tool), refractometer
(if battery is serviceable), load tester (high
amperage tool), and/or PicoScope 4425A
66 PTEN DECEMBER 2021 www.VehicleServicePros.com
* DIGITAL MULTIMETER
* CONDUCTANCE TESTER
* LOAD TESTER
* DIGITAL STORAGE
OSCILLOSCOPE (LAPTOP,
TABLET, OR HANDHELD DSOS
MAY BE USED)
* REFRACTOMETER
Digital Storage Oscilloscope (battery test
option in PicoDiagnostics software).
Not all shops are willing to invest in such
a broad array of tools for battery service and
diagnostics, so it's important to have a good
understanding of all the options.
http://www.VehicleServicePros.com
December 2021
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of December 2021
Editor's Note
New Products
Diagnostic Process
The human side of assistance-guided repairs
How to combat electrical issues on modern trucks
Data from another angle
How sensors impact heavy duty scan tools
Mining for the right data
Diagnostic products
AAPEX/SEMA Editor's Picks
Top 100 Products
Best Young Tech
Tool Briefing
Diagnostic Tech
Tool Reviews
Category Spotlight
Big-Time Boxes
December 2021 - 1
December 2021 - 2
December 2021 - 3
December 2021 - 4
December 2021 - 5
December 2021 - 6
December 2021 - 7
December 2021 - Editor's Note
December 2021 - 9
December 2021 - New Products
December 2021 - 11
December 2021 - 12
December 2021 - 13
December 2021 - 14
December 2021 - 15
December 2021 - 16
December 2021 - 17
December 2021 - 18
December 2021 - RSC1
December 2021 - RSC2
December 2021 - 19
December 2021 - 20
December 2021 - 21
December 2021 - 22
December 2021 - 23
December 2021 - 24
December 2021 - Diagnostic Process
December 2021 - 26
December 2021 - 27
December 2021 - 28
December 2021 - 29
December 2021 - The human side of assistance-guided repairs
December 2021 - 31
December 2021 - How to combat electrical issues on modern trucks
December 2021 - 33
December 2021 - 34
December 2021 - 35
December 2021 - Data from another angle
December 2021 - 37
December 2021 - 38
December 2021 - 39
December 2021 - 40
December 2021 - 41
December 2021 - How sensors impact heavy duty scan tools
December 2021 - 43
December 2021 - 44
December 2021 - 45
December 2021 - Mining for the right data
December 2021 - 47
December 2021 - Diagnostic products
December 2021 - 49
December 2021 - 50
December 2021 - 51
December 2021 - 52
December 2021 - 53
December 2021 - 54
December 2021 - 55
December 2021 - AAPEX/SEMA Editor's Picks
December 2021 - 57
December 2021 - Top 100 Products
December 2021 - 59
December 2021 - 60
December 2021 - 61
December 2021 - 62
December 2021 - 63
December 2021 - Best Young Tech
December 2021 - 65
December 2021 - Tool Briefing
December 2021 - 67
December 2021 - 68
December 2021 - 69
December 2021 - Diagnostic Tech
December 2021 - 71
December 2021 - 72
December 2021 - 73
December 2021 - Tool Reviews
December 2021 - 75
December 2021 - 76
December 2021 - 77
December 2021 - Category Spotlight
December 2021 - 79
December 2021 - 80
December 2021 - 81
December 2021 - Big-Time Boxes
December 2021 - 83
December 2021 - 84
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