Battery health evaluation
A vehicle includes a battery health evaluation system. A vehicle battery is electrically loaded upon determining that an ambient temperature equals or exceeds a first temperature. A voltage of the battery is measured during loading. A magnitude of the voltage plateau is determined. The battery is identified as inadequate upon determining that the magnitude of the plateau is less than the target voltage.
1. A computing device, programmed to:
electrically load a vehicle battery of a vehicle upon determining that an ambient temperature equals or exceeds a first temperature;
measure a voltage of the battery during loading;
determine a magnitude of a voltage plateau; and
identify the battery as inadequate upon determining that the magnitude of the plateau is less than a target voltage.
2. The computing device of claim 1 , further programmed to, upon determining that the magnitude of the plateau is equal to or greater than the target voltage again load the battery, make a second measurement of the battery voltage and identify a second voltage plateau, determine a magnitude of the second plateau, and identify the battery as inadequate upon determining that the magnitude of the second plateau is less than a target voltage.
3. The computing device of claim 2 , wherein loading of the battery is achieved by energizing a starter motor and defueling an engine prior to loading the vehicle battery.
4. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein loading of the battery is achieved by energizing a starter motor.
5. The computing device of claim 4 , further programmed to defuel a vehicle engine prior to loading the vehicle battery.
6. The computing device of claim 1 , further programmed to adjust the target voltage for an ambient temperature.
7. The computing device of claim 6 , wherein the target voltage is 9.5 volts at an ambient temperature of seventy degrees Fahrenheit.
8. The computing device of claim 1 , further programmed to order a replacement battery when the vehicle battery is identified as inadequate.
9. The computing device of claim 8 , further programmed to direct the vehicle to a service facility for installation of the replacement battery.
10. The computing device of claim 9 , further programmed to summon a mobile battery service when the vehicle is not able to travel to the service facility.
11. A method of determining and responding to a vehicle battery's health, the method comprising the steps of:
electrically loading a vehicle battery of a vehicle upon determining that an ambient temperature equals or exceeds a first temperature;
measuring a voltage of the battery during loading;
determining a magnitude of a voltage plateau; and
identifying the battery as inadequate upon determining that the magnitude of the plateau is less than a target voltage.
12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of, upon determining that the magnitude of the plateau is equal to or greater than the target voltage, again loading the battery, making a second measurement of the battery voltage and identifying a voltage plateau, determining a magnitude of the second plateau, and identifying the battery as inadequate upon determining that the magnitude of the second plateau is less than a target voltage.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein loading of the battery is achieved by energizing a starter motor and to defuel an engine prior to loading the vehicle battery.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein loading of the battery is achieved by energizing a starter motor.
15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising the step of further defueling a vehicle engine prior to loading the vehicle battery.
16. The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of adjusting the target voltage for an ambient temperature.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the target voltage is 9.5 volts at an ambient temperature of seventy degrees Fahrenheit.
18. The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of ordering a replacement battery when the vehicle battery is identified as inadequate.
19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising the step of directing the vehicle to a service facility for installation of the replacement battery.
20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising the step of summoning a mobile battery service when the vehicle is not able to travel to the service facility.