Need and Importance of Basic Maintenance Management Process of Car Battery

BASIC MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT PROCESS

Executive Summary

This document explains the need for a well-laid maintenance plan and describes the importance of all related aspects of planning and scheduling as a part of the overall maintenance function. This document gives the need for a work management framework and describes in detail various aspects related to it. It also describes the importance of work identification, planning of work, scheduling of work as well as execution in a well-laid maintenance plan. This ensures that in a maintenance plan, the breakdown is minimized and productivity and efficiency are increased of the equipment. It also discusses the objectives and outcomes of each of the maintenance plan in detail.

1.0           Introduction

Identifying and resolving any feasible problems ahead of time allows our craft to operate swiftly and correctly. Maintenance planning defines what, why and how. These three components allow the project manager to identify the most significant issues and to provide information and tools to avoid them. The work management frame consists of work identification, planning, scheduling, execution and work completion.

2.0           Basic Maintenance Management Process.

Source:https://www.assetivity.com.au/article/maintenance-management/continuous-improvement-in-planning-and-scheduling.html/

2.1 Work Identification

Work identification is the most integral part of successfully implementing a maintenance management program. Work identification describes the tasks that need to be completed and will give an estimate of the resources that will be required to complete the project on time and efficiently. It also describes in detail.

2.2 Scope of Work

The Work Scope (SOW) is the subject of an agreement describing the work to be done. The SOW should comprise any landmarks, records, milestones and finished products which the performing group is to deliver. The SOW should also include a deadline for all products delivered. The SOW should clearly answer the following questions which are mentioned below.

• Does the work request provide an adequate definition of the anticipated results?
• Are the starting and ending points of the task definitely specified?
• Is it necessary to test or meet the acceptance criteria?
• Will the work have an effect on health, security or the environment?
• Who’s going to have the final authority on priority work?

2.3 Planning

Planning is the method by which the components necessary to conduct a job are determined before the job begins. Good planning is clearly a necessary condition for sound scheduling; however, scheduling feedback is needed for effective planning.

The main objective of planning include the following:

• To minimize the idle time of maintenance.
• Optimizing the effective use of work time, material and equipment.
• Maintenance of the working machinery at a rate that meets the manufacturing requirements in terms of delivery times and performance. Almost all maintenance should actually be planned.

The following measures should include an efficient planning operation.

1. Determine the job work which may require site visits.
2. Develop a plan of job which involves a series of work operations and the best techniques and processes to perform the work.
3. Determine the crew size required to perform the job.
4. Make a list of parts and material needed.
5. Assignment of the skilled workers to perform the job.
6. Check that unique equipment and tools are required and acquire them.
7. Safety procedures must be reviewed.
8. Priorities should be set for all maintenance work.
9. Review the backlog and create control plans.

2.4 Scheduling.

Maintenance Scheduling is the method by which the tasks are assigned to the assets and sequenced to be performed at certain points in time. Scheduling deals with the particular time and phase of the proposed work, together with orders for work to be carried out, work to be monitored, and job progress to be reported. Effective planning demands input from the planning process. A credible schedule must bring into account the following:

• a priority allocation of activities that represents the significance and criticality of the job.

• That all the components needed for the work assignment are in the facility.

• Master production plan and good coordination with the process.

• Realistic assessments and what may occur, rather than what the scheduler wants.

• Flexibility should be incorporated into the plan. The planner must recognize that flexibility is required in maintenance. The schedule is often amended and revised.

3.0 Case Study – Changing Car Battery.

Work Identification.

The first task at hand is to check whether the battery needs replacement or not. It can be achieved by checking by a voltmeter. Completely charged automotive batteries should be 12.6 volts or higher. When the engine is operating, this should be 13.7-14.7 volts. There are some other factors which can help identify faulty batteries which are mentioned below.

• If the engine starts slow or cranks and clicks but the engine would not start.
• Frequently requiring jump-starts.
• Heavy corrosion or film on terminals.
• Other electrical issues related such as power windows not rolling, dim lights and radio not working are all indicators of battery issues.

3.1Planning.

1.Battery Specification and Price Research.

2. Tools Inventory.

3. Garage Space Setup.

4. Installation Research.

3.2 Schedule Work.

Scheduling constitutes determining when to do the job or tasks, which will depend on the priority level of the assignment and the accessibility of both the assets and the machinery to be inspected.

• The battery is going to be changed by a qualified technician.
• The complete process of changing the battery is going to take around one hour.

3.3 Execution.

• Watch your vehicle manual for the placement of your car battery. Some batteries may be in the cabinet, under the floorboard, or even tucked away behind a wheel well.
• Recognize the positive and negative terminal and the respective cables attached to each of them.
• Use a wrench to loosen a nut or bolt that helps secure the negative terminal. 

Source: https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/r/car-projects/how-to-change-car-battery/

• First, use the terminal puller to remove the cable and terminal from the negative battery post. Do the same for the positive terminal.
• Carefully lift the battery out without too much jostling. You can use the battery carrying strap if the posts are located on top of the battery, as opposed to on the side.
• To ensure that they are clean and corrosion-free, observe the terminals connected to the extremes of the battery connectors. If they are not, use the terminal cleaning tool to clean them. There is a unique instrument available that fits over the post with another tool that fits inside the clamp.  The cleaner your posts and clamps, the stronger and more positive your battery connection will be.

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• Insert the fresh battery, then secure it with a previously removed clamp or maintaining mechanism.
• Remove the battery posts plastic caps and insert the anti-corrosion washers over them.
• Apply a thin grease layer to battery terminals. Special anti-corrosion grease is accessible to stop fluffy greenish-white corrosion reserves that can stop battery charging.

Source: https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/r/car-projects/how-to-change-car-battery

• Tighten the connector with the wrench until it’s snug. Repeat then for the remaining post. 

3.4 Record History.

3.5 Analyse for Improvement.

• Battery should be tightly fastened.
• Battery should be kept clean.
• Check battery voltage once every month.
• Grease battery terminals every three months.
• Electronics such as radio and lights should not be used while idling.

4.0 Work Breakdown Structure.

5.0 Conclusion.

This document clearly defines the need and importance of basic maintenance management process. The maintenance process includes manifold stages such as work identification, planning, scheduling, execution, recording and analysing for improvement. In this document, we have clearly defined all the maintenance stages required for changing a car battery. This document entails a detailed description of what and when to replace the battery of an automobile. It gives clear guidelines and objectives to be followed when battery has to be replaced. It clearly defines what needs to be done, who needs to do the job and how the job can be accomplished successfully. It clearly mentions and analyses the ways by which the life of a battery can be increased. Work breakdown structure is also provided within the document providing brief and concise information about the basic maintenance management process including the work identification, planning, scheduling, execution, recording and analysing for improvement giving a concise set of objectives and parameters for different maintenance processes.

6.0 References.

• https://blog.nationwide.com/extend-car-battery-life/
• https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/r/car-projects/how-to-change-car-battery/
• https://www.dummies.com/home-garden/car-repair/electrical-system/how-to-remove-and-install-a-car-battery/