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► Batteries operate by storing electrical energy in chemical form.

► The discharge of electrolytes produces battery current.

► The standard automotive battery has 2.1 volts per cell, with six cells holding 12.6 volts on a fully charged battery.

► Batteries are classified into groups, and only certain groups and layouts will fit certain vehicle applications.

► Batteries are rated by electrical capacity, cold cranking amps, and amp hour ratings.

► There are two chemicals that make the battery a safety hazard: hydrogen gas and sulfuric acid.

► The absorbed-glass mat battery is good for rough handling and can be mounted on its side compared to the electrolyte battery.

► Battery temperature plays a critical part in battery life. When a battery is cold, it takes more power to start the vehicle; when a battery is to hot, its life is diminished significantly.

► Lithium-ion batteries are the future and are especially being used in hybrids. However, they have not replaced the conventional battery in most applications.

► There are two ways to connect the battery to the vehicle: the top-post design and the side-post design.

► Batteries must be kept free of corrosion, as corrosion is the fastest way to destroy a battery and cable.

► If a vehicle seems to have a dead battery after sitting, the battery needs to be checked for parasitic draw.

► Jump-starting a vehicle is one of the simplest automotive tasks to perform, but done incorrectly, it can cause battery and possible vehicle damage. Always ensure the proper polarity when connecting the dead and good batteries together.

► When servicing a battery, always wear the proper personal protective equipment.

► Battery maintenance requires inspecting, cleaning, testing, and charging. Always follow all applicable technical data when performing battery maintenance.

► Batteries need to be recycled once their life cycle is used up. They contain hazardous materials that cannot be put in a landfill.

► The best way to test a battery’s capacity and internal condition is through a battery load test.

► The starting system provides a method of rotating (cranking) the vehicle’s internal combustion engine (ICE) to begin the combustion cycle.

► The starting system consists of a battery, cables, a solenoid, a starter motor, a ring gear, and an ignition switch.

► The starter motor converts electrical energy to mechanical energy.

► Some starters operate through gear reduction, giving the same amount of torque at less size and weight.

► A starter motor is basically an electromagnet.

► The starter motor pinion must mesh with the engine ring gear to turn the engine over and allow the vehicle to start.

► Once the engine starts running on its own, the starter must disengage from the ring rear to avoid damaging the starter or the ring gear.

► The solenoid on the starter motor performs two main functions: It switches the high current flow required by the starter motor, and it engages the starter drive with the ring gear.

► Vehicle immobilizers generally comprise a computer-managed security system that disables the start and engine systems by using an electronic system to uniquely identify each vehicle key by a security code system.

► Hybrid vehicles use both an ICE and electric motors to power the vehicle’s drive train.

► Testing starter motor current draw is a good indicator of overall starter motor performance.

► Compared to older vehicles, newer vehicles put a higher demand on the charging system, as many systems are required not only to operate the vehicle but also to operate an array of entertainment systems.

► The DC generator has not been used on vehicles since the 1960s.

► The AC generator, or alternator, is used on today’s vehicles both to recharge the vehicle battery and to run numerous other electrical accessories on the vehicle.

► The alternator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.

► The alternator changes AC to DC by using a rectifier with diodes to allow electrical current to flow in one direction only.

► The alternator has a regulator, either built in or external, to keep the alternator from overcharging the battery.

► The more amps the alternator can produce, the more accessories the vehicle electrical system can handle.