Lesson 1Battery Pack Arrangement and Positions: Under the Floor, Rear Boot, Engine Compartment—Service Reach, Heat Handling, and Crash Safety ChecksThis part looks at where hybrid and PHEV battery packs are fitted in the vehicle, how their setup impacts ease of repair, cooling, noise levels, and crash protection, and what mechanics need to inspect before taking out or putting back a pack in Ugandan workshops.
Underfloor pack designs and structural integrationRear cargo pack placement and space trade-offsEngine bay packs and heat exposure risksService access points, lifting and removal pathsCrash protection zones and intrusion mitigationLesson 2Heat Management for High-Voltage Batteries: Liquid Versus Air Cooling, Coolant Paths, Sensors, and Effects on Electric Range and DurabilityThis part compares air and liquid cooling methods for HV batteries, looks at coolant paths, pumps, valves, and sensors, and shows how keeping temperature right affects power output, available energy, travel distance, and battery lifespan over time.
Air-cooled pack layouts and airflow pathsLiquid-cooled plates, jackets, and chillersCoolant pumps, valves, and heat exchangersTemperature, flow, and pressure sensorsCold-weather preconditioning and heatersThermal limits, derating, and aging impactLesson 3Standard Pack Voltages: Usual Ranges for Mild Hybrids, Full Hybrids, Plug-In Hybrids, and BEVs and How Pack Design Influences VoltageThis part reviews common pack voltage levels for mild, full, and plug-in hybrids, plus BEVs, and explains how the number of cells in series, module setup, and switching parts set the standard voltage and safety limits for Ugandan drivers.
Voltage ranges for mild hybrid systemsFull hybrid and PHEV voltage rangesBEV pack voltages and segmentingSeries cell counts and module stackingContactors, precharge, and HV bus designVoltage class, PPE, and service limitsLesson 4High-Voltage Wiring, Connectors, Service Plugs, and Safety Locks: Colour Marking, Insulation, Shielding, and Typical Damage TypesThis part details high-voltage wires, connectors, and safety locks, covering orange colour coding, insulation layers, shielding against interference, lockout systems, and how to spot, test, and record common damage or faults safely in local garages.
Orange HV cable standards and markingsInsulation types, creepage and clearance limitsShielding, grounding, and EMI control methodsService plugs, disconnects, and lockout stepsInterlock loops, continuity checks, and faultsTypical abrasion, corrosion, and arc damageLesson 5High-Voltage Support Systems: DC-DC Converters, Onboard Charger, EVSE Port, and Power Electronics Basics (Inverter, Motor)This part introduces high-voltage support parts, like DC-DC converters, onboard chargers, charge ports, inverters, and motor drives, and explains power flow routes between the battery, 12V system, and drive parts for reliable operation.
DC-DC converter roles and topologiesOnboard charger stages and power factorsEVSE inlet types and communication basicsInverter operation and PWM fundamentalsMotor types used in hybrids and PHEVsGrounding, isolation, and leakage checksLesson 6Battery Types Used in Modern Hybrids/PHEVs (Li-ion, NMC, LFP, NiMH) and How Type Affects Performance, Wear, and SafetyThis part surveys main battery types in hybrids and PHEVs, including Li-ion kinds like NMC and LFP, plus NiMH, and explains how each type impacts energy storage, power delivery, cycle endurance, cost, and safety in Uganda's climate.
Key Li-ion cell components and reactionsNMC chemistry traits for hybrids and PHEVsLFP chemistry traits and safety advantagesNiMH chemistry and legacy hybrid systemsChemistry effects on energy and power densityChemistry-driven safety and abuse responseLesson 7Battery Module and Cell Setup: Series/Parallel Links, Module Monitoring, and Role of the Battery Management System (BMS)This part explains how cells form modules and packs with series and parallel links, how current and voltage adjust, and how the BMS watches modules, balances cells, and guards the pack against harmful states during service.
Series strings and pack voltage scalingParallel groups and current capabilityModule construction, busbars, and fusingSensing harnesses and module monitoring ICsCell balancing strategies: passive and activeBMS protection limits and fault responsesLesson 8Battery Status Measures: State of Charge (SoC), State of Health (SoH), State of Power (SoP), and Common Measurement Ways and Alert LevelsThis part defines state of charge, health, and power, describes usual calculation methods and sensor data, and shows how makers set alert levels that prompt warnings, power cuts, or repair needs for technicians.
State of charge concepts and estimationState of health indicators and capacity lossState of power and dynamic limitsVoltage, current, and temperature inputsKalman filters and model-based observersDiagnostic thresholds and DTC strategies
