NEW from the Battery Council International
BCI’s TECHNICAL MANUAL is now ready and available in both print and CD- ROM format
BCI has recently updated its Technical Manual to include the most current SAE Standards as well as the Industrial Battery Standards. The manual is for all users of automobile type lead acid batteries and some industrial batteries. Specific references to laboratory analysis and test methods for evaluation of battery performance, major component parts and raw materials used to manufacture these batteries are also included in the manual.
All BCI outlined test procedures were written by industry technical personnel who are members of the BCI Technical Committees. The manual provides a common means for manufacturers and their customers to describe and compare desired battery performance.
New also to the manual are the most current available SAE specifications, tests and procedures for batteries manufactured for Original Equipment (OE) purposes. The revisions are prepared by the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) Storage Battery Subcommittee.
The Sections of the Manual Include:
Section 0: Introduction, Safety Chapter, and Safe Booster Cable Operation
Section 1: BCI Method for Assignment of Group Numbers
Section 2: BCI Recommended Test Procedures for Battery Materials
Section 3a: BCI Recommended Battery Materials Specifications, Valve Regulated Recombinant Batteries
Section 3b: BCI Recommended Materials Specifications, Battery Separator Test Methods
Section 4: BCI Recommended Storage Battery Specifications for Starting, Lighting and Ignition Types
Section 5: BCI Recommended Specifications for Electric Vehicle Batteries
Section 6: BCI Recommended Specifications for Constant Current Cycle Life Testing of Deep Cycle Batteries
Section 7: BCI Recommended Specification for Cycle Life Testing of Batteries for Golf Cars
Section 8: BCI Recommended Specification for Cycle Life Testing of Deep Cycle Marine/RV Batteries
Section 9: BCI Battery Flame Retardant Venting Systems
Section 10: Recommended Practices for Warning Messages, General Labeling & Marking and Shipping & Packaging
Section 11: BCI Recommended Standardized Testing Methods for Polypropylene Resin
Section 12: BCI Recommended Test Procedures for Lead Oxides
Section 13: BCI Specification Reference for Standby Batteries
Section 14: BCI Determination of Capacity of Lead-Acid Industrial Storage Batteries for Motive Power Service
Section 15: BCI Life Cycle Testing of Lead-Acid Storage Batteries for Motive Power Service
Section 16: BCI Standard for Deep Cycle Battery Chargers
Section 17: BCI Procedures for Evaluating Plastic Jars and Covers for Motive Power Industrial Batteries
Section 18: SAE Test Methods:
SAE J240 JUN1993 Life Test for Automotive Storage Batteries
SAE J537 JUN94 Storage Batteries
SAE J541 FEB89 Voltage Drop for Starting Motor Circuits
SAE J930 AUG84 Storage Batteries for Off-Road Self-Propelled Work Machines
SAE J539 MAR87 Voltages for Diesel Electrical Systems

SAE J1495 MAR92 Test Procedure for Battery Flame Retardant Venting Systems
SAE J2185 NOV 91 Life Test for Heavy-Duty Storage Batteries