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TLE-IA-
AUTOMOTIVE NC 1
Quarter 1 – Module 4:
Testing Automotive Batteries

PREPARE ELECTRICAL MATERIALS

& TOOLS
TLE – IA – GRADE 9 - Automotive Servicing NC 1
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 1 – Module 4: Testing Automotive Batteries
First Edition, 2020

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Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names,
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represent nor claim ownership over them.

Published by the Department of Education

Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones
Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Joefrey B. Sabillo
Editor: Howel Jay M. Caluyo
Reviewers: Dennis S. Calinao, Gemuel C. Ibero, Howel Jay M. Caluyo, Alden B. Deguit,
Typesetter: Joefrey B. Sabillo
Layout Artist: Alden B. Deguit
Management Team: Senen Priscillo P. Paulin, CESO V Rosela R. Abiera
Fay C. Luarez, TM, Ed.D., Ph.D. Maricel S. Rasid
Adolf P. Aguilar, Ed.D., TM Elmar L. Cabrera
Nilita R. Ragay, Ed.D.
Antonio B. Baguio Jr., Ed.D.

Printed in the Philippines by ________________________

Department of Education – Region VII Schools Division of Negros Oriental

Office Address: Kagawasan, Ave., Daro, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental

Tele #: (035) 225 2376 / 541 1117
E-mail Address: [email protected]
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TLE-IA
Automotive
Servicing NC 1
Quarter 1 – Module 4:
Testing Automotive Batteries
 Introductory Message
For the facilitator:
Welcome to the Automotive Servicing NC I- Grade 9
Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) Different types of battery testing
This module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by educators
both from public and private institutions to assist you, the teacher or facilitator in helping
the learners meet the standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum while overcoming their
personal, social, and economic constraints in schooling.

This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also aims to help learners
acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking into consideration their needs and
circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the body of
the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies that
will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator, you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module. You
also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to manage their own
learning. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist the learners as they do the
tasks included in the module.

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 For the learner:
Welcome to the Automotive Servicing NC I – Grade 9
Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM)
This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities for
guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be enabled to process
the contents of the learning resource while being an active learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

This will give you an idea of the skills or

What I Need to Know competencies you are expected to learn in the
module.

This part includes an activity that aims to

check what you already know about the
What I Know
lesson to take. If you get all the answers
correct (100%), you may decide to skip this
module.
This is a brief drill or review to help you link
What’s In the current lesson with the previous one.

In this portion, the new lesson will be

What’s New introduced to you in various ways; a story, a
song, a poem, a problem opener, an activity
or a situation.
This section provides a brief discussion of the
What is It lesson. This aims to help you discover and
understand new concepts and skills.

This comprises activities for independent

practice to solidify your understanding and
What’s More
skills of the topic. You may check the
answers to the exercises using the Answer
Key at the end of the module.
This includes questions or blank
What I Have Learned sentence/paragraph to be filled in to process
what you learned from the lesson.
This section provides an activity which will
What I Can Do help you transfer your new knowledge or skill
into real life situations or concerns.
This is a task which aims to evaluate your
Assessment level of mastery in achieving the learning
competency.

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 In this portion, another activity will be given
Additional Activities to you to enrich your knowledge or skill of the
lesson learned.

Answer Key This contains answers to all activities in the

module.

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 What I Need to Know

The service life of automobile battery ranges from two years to three years depending
on its type and usage. This module contains information and suggested learning activities on
Servicing Automotive Batteries.

Module 4 is divided into two lessons, namely:

• Select appropriate test equipment
• Identify finding of test results
(TLE_ IAAS9-12AB-le-h-2)
After going through this module, you are expected to;

• Discuss battery testing equipment

• Identify the types of testing equipment
• Report findings of test result

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 What I Know

Directions: This checklist determines your initial level of knowledge and mastery about
testing the battery. Accomplish the following checklist. (Copy and Write your answer in your
activity note.)

SELF-RATING COMPETENCY CHEVCKLIST IN TESTING THE BATTERY

COMPETENCY I cannot do this I am learning I can do this but

yet how to do this I need to learn
more and
improve.
Pre Pre Pre
Reads the
discharge state of
the battery

Adds distilled
water to the battery

Uses the tools or

materials and
equipment
appropriately

Observes safety
measures in
testing the battery

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 What’s In

Look at the picture, Describe and identify what task being performed . Write
your answer in your activity notebook.

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 What’s New

Directions: Copy and answer in your notebook. Answer must be at least two
sentences in each question.

1. Why we need to charge battery?

_____________________________________________________________________
__

2. What will you do in order to determine the state of charge of battery?

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
______

What is It

Lesson 1
INFORMATION SHEET 1
TESTING THE BATTERY
WAYS OF TESTING THE BATTERY

Batteries are tested through different ways: the state of charge, the condition
of the cell and the capacity of the battery’s performance. In a low maintenance or
vent-cap battery, the state of charge is determined by a hydrometer. The hydrometer
is like a syringe. It is made of glass tubing with rubber squeezer at the top-end and
a short rubber hose at the front-end. Inside the glass tubing is a float with
corresponding reading scale. When the hydrometer is inserted in the vent hole of the
battery and the rubber squeezer is pressed, it draws battery solution. The float moves
to determine the specific gravity or the state of charge of the battery.

The cell of the battery can be checked by using the cell tester. It determines
whether the cells are in good or bad condition. Inside the tester is the color coded
indicator that when the pointed portion of the tester is pressed to the cell connectors,
the pointer moves according to the condition of the cells. The battery capacity test or
performance test determines the overall ability of the battery to provide and maintain
minimum electrical power. The battery capacity test can be done by using a capacity
tester connected to the battery. The tester has control knob to adjust the load in
order for the battery to give its output capacity. In this way, serviceability of the
battery is determined.

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 TWO TYPES OF HYDROMETER

1. Ball hydrometer

The Ball hydrometer is similar to the ball type coolant hydrometer. To perform
a ball hydrometer test, insert the rubber tube into the vent hole of the battery, then
squeeze and release the bulb. Electrolyte will be drawn into the tube. If all balls float,
the battery is fully charged. If none, the battery is discharged. The more balls that
floats, the higher the battery state of charge.
Fig. 3. Ball Hydrometer (http://www.ecrater.com)

2. Float hydrometer

The Float hydrometer is used in the same way as the ball hydrometer. It will
float as the electrolyte is drawn from the battery. Marks on the float stem show the
electrolyte specific gravity. This indicates the battery state of charge. The more fully
charged the battery, the higher the float.

http://www.freeasestudyguides.com/battery-specific-gravity-test.html&h
As a precaution, make sure no electrolyte drips on the car because it will damage the
car body and paint. It should not also touch your body because it will irritate your
skin and damage your clothes. The following table shows the relationship between
specific gravity and state of charge.

SPECIFIC GRAVITY STATE OF CHARGE

1.265 -1.299 Fully charged battery
1.235 -1.265 Three – fourths charged
1.205 -1.235 One-half charged
1.170 -1.205 One-fourth charged
1.140-1.170 Barely Operative
1.110-1.140 Completely discharged

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A. HYDROMETER TEST

PROCEDURE:

Your teacher will discuss with you the proper procedure through the aid of pictures
and actual battery.

1. Remove all battery vent caps.

2. Check the electrolyte level, it must be high enough to draw the correct amount of
battery solution (electrolyte) into the hydrometer.
3. Squeeze the suction rubber bulb and insert the pick-up tube into the battery hole
just enough to draw the electrolyte solution.
4. Slowly release the suction rubber bulb. Draw in enough solution until the float is
freely suspended in the hydrometer glass barrel. Hold the hydrometer in vertical
position.
5. Read the electrolyte level on eye level as shown in the figure below.
6. List the test result.

B. BATTERY CELL TEST

PROCEDURE:
1. Disconnect the negative and positive terminals of the battery.
2. Remove the battery from the vehicle and place it on the bench.

Note: The battery can also be tested on the vehicle but safety precautions must be
observed.

3. Cover the battery vent plugs with a damp cloth.

4. Place the battery cell tester on the cell connector of the battery.

Note: This test can be performed in a low-maintenance battery.

5. Read the cell tester indicator if the battery cell being tested is good (usually green
color) or bad (usually red color).

6. Replace the battery if cells are defective.

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 What’s More

Directions: Explain which of the two types of hydrometer is best for you and why?
Write your answer in your activity notebook.

___________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
______________.

What I Can Do

Directions: Write down the proper procedure of testing battery using hydrometer
test. Use you activity notebook.

__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
______________.

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 Assessment

Directions: Ask 1 or 2 motorcycle/vehicle owners about the common causes of the

sudden discharged of battery. Write their responses in your activity notebook.

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 Answer Key

What I know

1. electricity
2. ohm
3 magnetism
4. ohm’s law
5. William Gilbert

What’s In

1. b
2. d
3 a
4. e
5. c

What’s New

Conductor
Current
Ohms
Voltage
Volts
Resistance
Force
Circuit
Amperes
Magnetism

Try Me

1. 24 amperes
2. 10 volt
3. 8 ohms

Assessment
1. d
2. a
3. c
4. a
5. b

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References for Content and Images
1. Auto-Mechanics 10th Edition by Crouse/Anglin
2. Auto.-Trouble Shooting: Operation and maintenance/F.Francisco
3. Encarta Microsoft 2006
4. Diesel Mechanic/Erich J. Schulz
Modern Machining Technology/Richard Baril

(http:// www .ecrater.com )

(http:// www.freeasestudyguides.com)
(www.google.com.ph)
(http:// www.google.com)
(http:// www.wikihow.com/Change-a-Car-Battery)

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For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – Schools Division of Negros Oriental

Kagawasan, Avenue, Daro, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental

Tel #: (035) 225 2376 / 541 1117

Email Address: [email protected]
Website: lrmds.depednodis.net

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