For automotive applications, there are basically three types of batteries: conventional, maintenance-free, and recombination.

Conventional Batteries

A 12-volt automotive battery contains six cells. In each cell is a series of alternating positive and negative plates, between which are isolator or separator plates to keep them apart. All the negative plates in the battery are connected, as are all the positive plates. Each plate has a grid construction, and to this grid, the plate’s active material – sponge lead – is bonded. The plates in each. cell are covered with a solution of distilled water and sulfuric acid (electrolyte). As the battery discharges (supplies electricity), the acid in the electrolyte reacts with the active material in the battery plates, forming lead sulfate and weakening the electrolyte solution. Conversely, as the battery is charged, the acid is returned to the solution, thereby strengthening it, and the used portion of the lead sulfate is converted back into active material in the plates. During this process, hydrogen and oxygen molecules are off-gassed out of the electrolyte, which is why a conventional battery often needs topping up with distilled water. The charge and discharge cycle also means that some lead sloughs off the plates. Over time, this builds up in the bottom of the case, reducing the overall capacity of the battery fluid. When enough material builds up, the plates will short out, and you’re stuck with a dead battery.

Maintenance-Free Batteries

Closed (maintenance-free) batteries are essentially the same as conventional batteries, except that they contain extra electrolytes in the partially sealed case. However, over time, this excess fluid is used up as fluid slowly off-gases hydrogen and oxygen molecules through the vents. Because these batteries cannot usually be topped off, once the plates begin to be exposed, the battery’s life span is over. Usually, this takes a long period of time, which is why these batteries often last longer than conventional batteries. However, in situations where frequent, rapid charge/discharge occurs (such as when running a winch or powerful spotlight without running the engine), a maintenance-free battery may not outlast a conventional one.

Another type of maintenance-free battery is the gel-type battery While these batteries cannot leak or spill fluid and can be installed at odd angles, they do have a weakness. Using electrolyte gel necessitates the use of thinner plates so that adequate dispersion of the acid through the active material occurs. Since gel batteries are also sealed, they cannot be topped off and care must be taken when charging so they don’t overcharge and gas-off, which will result in excessive sloughing of the plates, premature reduction in electrolytes, and eventual battery failure. This means that during the harsh vibrations associated with trail riding, a marginal gel battery can fail completely as the plates literally fall apart.

Recombination Batteries

The recombination battery is overall the best battery for off-road and heavy-duty use. They’re called recombination because they recombine the gas formed during charging, channeling it into the separators so it doesn’t vent out of the battery and reclaiming the water to keep electrolyte concentration at optimum. They are completely sealed (except for a reseating pressure-relief vent) and require no topping off of fluids. Recombination batteries can use either liquid or gel-type electrolytes and are different from other batteries because the acid is bound into the separators and pure lead can be used in the plates. Because of the purity of the materials used, there is no sloughing and the plates in these batteries can be very tightly packed. The result is a powerful, compact battery with quicker charging time, lower internal resistance than conventional or maintenance-free batteries, and a longer life span. In fact, for a conventional battery to deliver the same amount of starting power as a recombination battery, it would have to be two or three times larger. Because they contain no liquid as such, recombination batteries can be mounted in any position, will work when the case is damaged, and won’t leak in a rollover. In short, for off-road use, they are just about the perfect battery.

How Batteries Are Rated

Battery ratings are a determination of how much power a battery can produce under marginal conditions. There are a number of ways to determine a battery’s output, but ratings by ampere hour (Ah), cold-cranking amperes (CCA), and reserve capacity are the most common.

Ampere hours are determined by the SAE 20 test. This test is designed to show the amount of current that can be drawn from a battery for 20 hours without the voltage dropping below 1.75 volts per cell. In real-world terms, this means that a healthy battery should be capable of keeping the parking lights lit for 20 hours. For starting your truck, Ah doesn’t mean much. However, for powering accessories without the engine running, this can be an important measurement.

Cold-cranking amperes or CCA is the unit of measurement that generally determines a battery’s ability to start your engine. CCA is a measurement of the worst conditions under which a battery can be expected to deliver current, and it tests how much current in amperes a battery can deliver under extreme cold. According to the American SAE standard, CCA is determined by measuring how much current can be delivered in amperes for 30 seconds at -18 degrees C with a final voltage of 7.2 volts per cell or higher.

Reserve capacity is an important measurement for the total capacity of the battery and shows how long a battery can keep the engine running if the alternator/generator fails. Reserve capacity of a battery is measured in minutes at room temperature (approximately 70 degrees F). During this test, 25 amperes is drawn from the battery for as long as the voltage does not drop below 10.5 volts. For off-road use, it’s a good idea to make sure any battery you purchase has a reserve capacity of at least 120 minutes.

Reserve capacity is also important for those times when you need to run a radio, spotlight, winch, or other electrical accessory without running the engine.

A Batteries Two Enemies

Although just about all modem batteries are pretty reliable, there are two enemies that can grind even a brand-new battery to a halt – extreme cold and extreme heat. Batteries are at their best with internal temperatures (not ambient) above 50 degrees F and below 105 degrees F. Below and above this range, problems can develop, and a dead, damaged, or . useless battery can be the result.

We’ve all noticed that under extremely cold conditions (below freezing), the battery will turn over the starter motor slowly, if at all. This is because when the internal temperature of the battery gets below the optimum range, the chemical reaction inside the battery happens more slowly, and for every 10-degree drop below freezing, the time that the chemical reaction takes doubles. Because of this increased resistance, the voltage in the battery drops and cannot turn over the engine.

Heat can also have an adverse effect on your battery’s overall health. Battery power is reduced when it’s subjected to excessive temperatures, but the problem may not be immediately noticed until the temperature drops. At higher temperatures, the chemical reaction within the battery is more rapid. The battery can produce more energy more quickly. This is good, right? Wrong. The higher rate of energy production results in an increase in off gassing; the water in the battery is vented out as hydrogen and oxygen molecules and the rate of internal corrosion, or sloughing, increases. This can result in a short in one or more cells that is not noticed until cold weather diminishes the overall ability of the battery.

What to Buy

When it comes to batteries for automotive use, there is no such thing as a perfect battery. Any battery can fail if it is neglected, constantly overloaded, or overcharged. The important thing to remember is to get the right battery for your needs, one that is rated for your vehicle and all the accessories you use. Generally, this means a high Ah, high CCA, and high reserve capacity. Also, make sure you buy a quality unit. Don’t be fooled by the low price of the budget shops. Batteries sold in the no-name-battery discount stores often are poorly assembled and use inferior materials in the plates and separators. Name-brand batteries, such as AC-Delco, Sears DieHard, Exide, Interstate, Optima, and others, are manufactured to the highest standards, delivering high reliability combined with long life.

For off-road use, however, we feel that the recombination battery is the best overall, since it delivers high output, needs no maintenance, holds up well to the rigors of off-road driving, and has a quick recharge rate, as well as a long life span. It is a particularly useful battery for the off-roader because it has no liquid to leak out and can be mounted in any position (even upside down). Because of this, it won’t corrode battery trays or cables and is safe in a collision. You can actually shoot a 45-caliber bullet through the battery casing and it will still crank at full power. Try that with a conventional battery, and you have a leaking mess that will at best produce minimal voltage.

Although recombination batteries are sold under various brand names, Optima’s 800U is the original and also the only battery available with both top posts and side terminals, a feature that makes it especially well suited for specialized installations and powering accessories and where there is installation room for only one battery Since we also run a winch and driving lights from the starting battery, it has to be a powerful one. The 800 CCA and 120 minutes of reserve capacity the Optima offers means we can rely on the unit as a power source for lights and winch use when the engine is down, without sacrificing starting ability. Additionally, the side terminals make it easy to power the winch and other accessories directly off the battery without disconnecting the main power cables and disabling the vehicle’s computer. This makes for a clean installation without a lot of cable clutter at the main battery posts, which is especially important when there’s limited space around the battery top. read nore about information automotive online click here

Watch the video related to automotive technologies

www.search-autoparts.com – Gary Schaberg describes Chief’s latest frame machine, the Impulse-e

Help answer the question about automotive technologies

About Author

yanary -
About the Author:

About the author: Visit AutomotiveGazette.com – The Automotive Gazette weekly edition of car care articles, automotive news and information on automotive repair for those of us not adept at automotive troubleshooting.

Although hybrid cars are the rage, and there are all kinds of alternative energy sources on the horizon, hybrids are cost prohibitive, usually ranging $3000 to $7000 more than the gas only version of that model. However, instead of changing fuel sources, some automotive companies have been using a new type of transmission to improve fuel economy, lower emissions, and actually make vehicles faster without adding to the sticker price.

These companies are using a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and instead of having set gear ratios (or gears), it constantly varies the gear ratios, as well as engine performance, so that they both operate at their most efficient level in any driving scenario.

Because these key components of the power train are at their peak performance at all times, fuel economy is improved by 6-8% and carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by 10%.

Although these figures may not sound impressive, the gas savings increase the highway mileage of most vehicles by 4 to 6 mpg, which adds up pretty quickly at $3/gallon.

The CVT’s potential for reducing emissions is also significant. As Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Nissan Motor Company, said, achieving his goal of selling one million CVT equipped vehicles by the end of 2007 will have “the same effect in terms of reducing CO2 emissions as selling 200,000 hybrid electric vehicles.”

Since there is no shifting between fixed gears, there is no ‘shift shock’ or jerking sensation, which makes them exceptionally smooth to drive. CVTs also do well in hilly terrain since there is no ‘gear hunting’ or bogging down on a hill, followed by a loud, violent downshift, which also contributes to its superior acceleration.

You may be wondering why this isn’t in every car if it is so great. Well, every year, more vehicles in the American market add CVTs as an option, though it has happened quietly, as many people are leery of new technology, especially in cars.

The CVT is actually quite old although it is new to American automobiles. The concept was developed by Leonardo DaVinci and was first patented in the late 1800’s for industrial applications. The CVT has been used in Asian and European vehicles since the 1950’s, but until recently CVTs could not handle the power that American drivers demand from their cars. However, CVTs have seen widespread use in snowmobiles and Formula 500 racing where they have a reputation for extending engine life and being much easier to rebuild than either a manual or automatic step transmission.

So where can you test drive a CVT-equipped vehicle? Well you can go to dealerships selling Ford, Dodge, Audi, or Mini-Cooper, to name a few, although a Nissan dealership may be the best place to go. In order to hit their goal of one million CVT sales in 2007, they have installed CVTs in nearly every sedan in their lineup, including the best selling Altima, Maxima, and economical Versa (as a side note, Nissan has also made side curtain airbags standard in these models, improving safety and reducing insurance costs).

Although you may not have the budget for a hybrid vehicle or cannot wait for that miracle fuel to hit the market, you can take it easy on the environment, as well as your checkbook, by checking out a few cars with a CVT.

Watch the video related to automotive technologies

“This video is part of a series of videos developed by students in Doctor Crazie’s introduction to management information systems class to showcase new technologies and how they might impact the world tomorrow. This video introduces three new automotive technologies.

Help answer the question about automotive technologies

About Author

Levi Quinn -
About the Author:

Find the best deal on the auto insurance coverage you need. Visit us today for money-saving tips and receive free quotes for cheap car insurance for young drivers from respected insurance companies.

Whether you’re dreaming of beginning a career in the pit crews of NASCAR, thinking about getting a tech job at one of the major car or aftermarket companies, or just exploring the many possibilities within the industry, follow the information provided, to make informed decisions about your future.

A degree from a good automobile repair school helps to know the trade, makes you more comfortable with the norms and technicalities in the automobile field. It also gives higher-level openings such as master mechanic or mechanic positions depending on your experience. Whether you’re dreaming of beginning a career in the pit crews of NASCAR, thinking about getting a tech job at one of the major car or aftermarket companies, or just exploring the many possibilities within the industry, Automotive Schools contains the right information for you to make informed decisions about your future.

Automotive School Programs:

Automotive Technology
Diesel Technology
Collision Repair & Refinishing
Motorcycle Technology
Marine Technology
Aviation Maintenance
Applied Service Management
High Performance
Street Rod & Custom Fabrication

General Automotive Courses with Top Level salary estimation:

Automotive Technician – $58,000-108,000
Automobile Mechanic – $60,000-100,000
Diesel Technician – $60,000
Auto-Body Technician – $60,000
Paintless Dent Repair Technician – $50,000 – $300,000
Automotive Electrician – $20/hr
Motorboat Technician – greater than $21/hr
Motorcycle Service Technician – more than $41,000
Aircraft Mechanic – greater than $29/hr
Alternative Fuels Technician – $60,000-100,000

Ways to choose a Good Automotive School:

Mentioned below are some ways that may help you in choosing a good automobile repair school:

School Reputation: You need to find out the reputation of a school. This factor is important, as it will have a good impression on your curriculum vitae (CV). There may be several reasons for a good reputation of an automobile school. Generally the most common reason for having a good reputation is graduates from that particular school have performed exceptionally well in the automobile field. You may even cut short your list of schools whose reputation is not known or questionable.

Degree Program: Mostly all schools offer an associate’s degree to help you start in the auto industry. These degrees are short time courses, which on completion allow you to join the respective field as soon as possible. Many schools also provide a master’s degree to help ambitious people to attain positions that are more respectful. Do a good research on the degree program you want to join and check that the program teaches all the skills and techniques required in the field. You also need to ensure if the school provides an ASE (Automotive Standards of Excellence) certification or not. It is extremely important as it allows the company to know your skills in a particular area. Also, see if the school is offering internship or employment opportunities.

Resources Offered: You need to check for what resources the students get from the school. Generally, all automobile schools offer various resources to their students. Please check if the school is offering job placement assistance. Make sure that the school has a good program for graduates or students who are searching for a job. The school also needs to have programs like creating good CV, providing job listings and teaching interview skills.

Cost of the program: This is also an important factor while choosing an automobile school. A good school needs to be affordable too. You need to carry out a research on the cost of the program and need to know what all features are included in the cost. For instance, some schools provide everything in the listed price, while some schools may provide only the course for the listed amount leaving the books, tools and other necessary things required for the program. These need to be bought separately.

These are some ways to choose a good automotive repair school. Do thorough research and choose an automobile training school, which will give a boost to your auto career. Learn the differences between automotive diplomas, degrees, and certification.

Watch the video related to automotive technologies

Mobileye’s vision applications serve both day and night scenarios. The visual processing modules can also be adapted to accept Infra Red spectrums – Near and Far.

Help answer the question about automotive technologies

About Author

Bobe -
About the Author:

I love automobiles. Fast sports cars, classics, luxury vehicles are some of my favorites. I am also a certified ASE Technician and auto GURU.

Cost cutting is the first item on everyone’s agenda in these times of economic crisis and belt tightening. Fortunately, there are ways to cut costs on all general automotive repairs, both for minor repairs and major repairs. You only have to heed the advice of the mechanic we interviewed on how to save on car repair.

One of the first things you should do is to check your vehicle warranty. You need to make the most of all the benefits and discounts in your warranty. You could save a lot on auto repair, for both labor costs and car parts. Read through the fine print and do not allow anything to escape you. You will be throwing good money away if you insist on taking your vehicle to a different  mechanic or auto service shop instead of availing of the free service and free replacement parts indicated in your warranty. Remember that the warranty usually specifies that you bring your vehicle to its dealership, such as Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Dodge, Jeep, Plymouth, Chrysler, Daewoo, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar, Volkswagen,Volvo, Acura, Honda, Lexus, Scion, Toyota, Nissan, Infiniti, Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Mazda, or Suzuki. Your dealership is best equipped to make a correct diagnostic inspection to find what is wrong with your vehicle and perform all major or minor repairs required, even computer diagnostics and computer reprogramming.

On the other hand if your vehicle warranty is no longer valid, you do not have to go to your dealership where everything is more expensive. You should, instead, go to a reputable and experienced professional auto service shop that also employs reputable and experienced professional mechanics. You will be in excellent hands if they have certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). This means they can do what the dealerships do, but at lower prices.

With the ASE certification you can be sure that the mechanics are experts about engines and can do engine rebuild and engine replacement. They can fix your vehicle’s brakes and tractions control systems such as the antilock brake systems (ABS). They are experts on transmission service and maintenance procedures including transmission flush, repairing oil leaks and giving oil change service. They are specialists in radiators, cooling systems and auto air conditioner (A/C) repair.

ASE certified mechanics have the necessary know how in repairing electronic steering, power steering, power brakes, power windows, power convertible tops, power sunroofs and power locks, and can do electrical troubleshooting in all types of electrical shorts. They are also wizards with alternators, hoses and belts, including timing belts, and can ably handle body systems as well as suspensions such as front suspension, rear suspension and air suspension. They can fix air bag systems and can install and repair anti theft systems like remote starters. They also do key reprogramming.

Even as you save on costs, however, do not compromise on the automotive parts that will be used to replace your vehicle’s defective automotive parts. Make sure the auto service shop supplies you only with reputable brands of automotive parts like AC Delco, Bosch, Remy, Motorcraft, Mopar, Goodyear, Dayco, Echlin, Standard, Cardone, Autolite, NGK, Akebono, Nipedenso, and Denso.

You can save even more if you do all your automotive maintenance procedures and repairs by yourself, of course. To be able to do this, however, you should either be a professional mechanic or you should be willing to take formal classes in automotive technology, including all general automotive repairs, from minor repairs and major repairs. Without the proper education and training, do not even attempt to tamper with your vehicle or you might end up with much more expensive damage.

Watch the video related to automotive technologies

Cars.com’s Joe Bruzek takes a look at some automotive technologies to keep your car safe during the winter. Shot and produced by: Eric Rossi Edited by: Lindsay Bjerregaard

Help answer the question about automotive technologies

About Author

Business Local Listings -
About the Author:

ABC Autotech
Richard Borovicka
4411 30th St. West
Bradenton, FL 34207-1324
Phone: (941) 755-0112
Fax: (941) 755-8150
Email: aautotech@tampabay.rr.com
Website: www.abcautotech.com

If you are interested in building a career in the diesel, auto and auto body industry, then all you need is to get enrolled in an automotive training school. These kinds of schools help you to learn the basic rules of maintenance and also auto repair procedures. The programs offered by such schools include a combination of classroom instruction and practical experience and also provide instruction on older model as well as on the newer model vehicles. Since, complex computer operated cars and electronic systems are very popular these days, the automotive training schools are also offering instruction on using various electronic diagnostic equipments and providing computer-based study materials. Though most of these schools offer one year certificate programs, two year degree programs are also in high demand.

There are several universities and schools that offer online as well as regular automotive training programs.

Advanced Technology Institute: The Advanced Technology Institute is a private non-profit and interdisciplinary research center. They are completely dedicated in progressing the photonic device technologies and the next-generation electronic. The institute has NATEF and ASE certified career programs. The several automotive training provided by this institute includes:

• Automotive Technology: It is wide ranging program that includes suspension and tires to computers and diagnostic and also ASE/ Ford-Plus Training.
• Diesel/Heavy Vehicle: This program provides knowledge on marine diesels/ ships and boats and also about farm tractors and equipment. This course is very essential for professionals dealing with road construction, bulldozers and graders.
• Commercial Driving: It provides all the information essential for tractor or trailer truck driving. It also offers tuition reimbursement and has financing options and opportunities.

Arizona Automotive Institute: This educational institute offers several automotive programs in order to provide the student ample career options. It is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology and is a member of the Arizona Private School Association. The various courses offered by this institute include:

• Diploma in Automotive Technology: The course content of this program are fuel and ignition systems, information on steering, brakes, and suspension systems, and practical experience on conventional and computerized electrical systems.
• Associate Degree in Diesel Technology: This course provides information on heavy diesel two and four stroke engines, computerized diagnostic systems, heavy truck chassis systems, diesel hydraulic systems, and also on fuel and ignition systems etc.

Some helpful tips:

• Make a thorough research about several automotive training schools before making your final decision. You can get detailed information about such schools in the online education portals.
• Choose an automotive school that updates their curriculum regularly in order to keep up with the rapid changes in technology.

For more information about automotive training schools you can visit topeducationguide.com

Watch the video related to automotive technologies

Learn about OSUIT’s Automotive Service Technology department and the programs offered within it: Chrysler CAP, GM ASEP, Ford ASSET, Pro-Tech, and Toyota T-TEN.

Help answer the question about automotive technologies

About Author

andrew alen -
About the Author:

Automotive Training Schools – Top Education Guide is a comprehensive directory of colleges, universities, trade schools, vocational training and online trade schools. You can quickly search through our database of online and campus college locations to find the right degree program best suited for advancing your professional goals. Start searching today, find a degree, and discover a rewarding new career.