LIFE TEST FOR AUTOMOTIVE STORAGE BATTERIES
J240_197105
This life test simulates automotive service where the battery operates in a voltage regulated charging system. This test subjects the battery to charge and discharge cycles resulting in failure modes comparable to those encountered in automotive service.
1
The battery is tested in a water bath maintained at 105 ± 5 F.
2
The test cycle is performed as follows:
Discharge:
2 min at 25 A
Charge:
(a)
maximum voltage — 14.8
(b)
maximum rate — 25 A
(c)
time — 10 min
3
The battery is continuously cycled for 100 h (for example, Mon day noon until 4:00 p.m. Friday).
A switching delay of not more than 10 s is permitted from termination of charge to start of discharge, and termination of discharge to start of charge.
4
The battery is given a 60 h stand on open circuit in the water bath.
5
Discharge battery at a rate equal to its 0 F cold cranking discharge rate in amperes, at the battery temperature obtained in paragraph 4, to an end voltage equivalent to 1.20 V per cell, or a minimum discharge time of 30 s, whichever occurs first.
6
Replace battery on the cycling test without a separate recharge. Start on the “charge” portion of the cycle.
7
The life test shall be considered completed when the battery fails to maintain 1.2 V per cell for a minimum of 30 s on the manual discharge (paragraph 5).
The point of failure shall be determined by plotting the 30 s discharge voltage values.
8
Water should be added as required during the cycling portion of the test.
note: This test only applies to 12 V batteries of 180 min or less Reserve Capacity.
