During a load test, a 12V battery with a CCA rating of 800A drops to 9.5V after 15 seconds at the recommended load. The technician notes that the battery temperature is 20°C. Based on Red Seal NOA and OEM guidelines, what should be the technician's conclusion regarding the battery's condition?

Question: During a load test, a 12V battery with a CCA rating of 800A drops to 9.5V after 15 seconds at the recommended load. The technician notes that the battery temperature is 20°C. Based on Red Seal NOA and OEM guidelines, what should be the technician's conclusion regarding the battery's condition?

Answer options: ✅ The battery is good if the voltage remains above 9.6V (or 9.5V, depending on specific OEM) after 15 seconds under load.

• The battery is failing and should be replaced because it has dropped below 10.5V.
• The battery capacity is insufficient for the vehicle's electrical demands.
• The load tester itself is faulty and providing an incorrect reading.

Correct answer: The battery is good if the voltage remains above 9.6V (or 9.5V, depending on specific OEM) after 15 seconds under load.

Explanation: A healthy 12V battery operating at 20°C should maintain a minimum of 9.6V (some OEMs allow 9.5V) for 15 seconds under a load equal to half its CCA rating. Since this battery's voltage dropped to 9.5V, it is borderline but typically still considered good if within this specific threshold, indicating it passed the standard load test criterion, although it's at the lower end.