The first test of a battery is a visual inspection. There are certain things a technician should look for when inspecting a battery. Some things to look for include the quality of the connection from the battery to the cables.
Cracks or other leaks can cause acid spills. Missing battery hold down hardware can cause damage to the plates inside the battery from it being allowed to hop up and down from bumps in the road.
Dirt buildup on the top of the battery can actually cause a parasitic drain between the posts. Be sure to clean the top of the battery with battery cleaner. Missing factory heat shielding (insulators) will shorten the battery’s life. As a guideline, every 15