Question 1
- Table 1 contains the terminals of a lead-acid battery.
- In a motor vehicle battery, state two:
- symtoms of fault.
- functions of the filler cap.
- Name the equipment used in testing the following properties of a battery.
- Specific gravity
- Cell voltage
- Polarity
Table 1
Features |
Positive terminal |
Negative terminal |
Sign |
|
|
Colour |
|
|
Size |
|
|
State in Table 1 the difference in the features of the terminals.
Observation
The Chief Examiner reported that majority of the candidates that attempted question 1 did not respond well. Only a few were able to differentiate between positive and negative terminals of a lead-acid battery. It was also reported that many others could not state the symptoms of fault in a motor vehicle battery nor name correctly equipment required for testing the specified properties of a battery.
The expected responses were:
-
i
- Symptoms of fault in a motor vehicle battery
- Slow cranking of engine
- Swollen/bloated battery case
- Battery indicator light staying ON
- Leakage of battery ele
- Pre-mature discharge
- Battery discharge or weak
- Overcharge
| Features | Positive terminal | Negative terminal |
| Sign | Plus (+) | Negative (-) |
| Colour | Red/brown | Blue/green/black |
| Size | Big/bigger | Small/smaller |
- To prevent electrolyte spillage
- To provide room for electrolyte re-filling
- To allow for the escape of hydrogen gas
- To prevent pressure build up
Functions of filler cap in a motor vehicle battery
Equipment used in testing
| i | Specific gravity: | Hydrometer |
| ii | Cell voltage: | Multimeter/voltmete |
| iii | Polarity: | Multimeter/ohmmeter |