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The winner will be randomly selected from correct entries and awarded $50. Entries must be received by the end of the month. Only one winner will be selected. Chances of winning are dependent upon the number of correct entries received. Employees of Babcox Media, industry manufacturers and BodyShop Business advertisers are not eligible to enter.
Popular Posts Auto Body Labor Rates: We're Beat Up and Punch Drunk Things Insurers Say That Really Tick Me Off! Becoming a Regional Vehicle Calibration Center Consolidation Update: The Big Merger Auto Body Shop Owner Writes Book on Customer Service Connect with us advertise with us
Auto Body Labor Rates: We're Beat Up and Punch Drunk
Things Insurers Say That Really Tick Me Off!
Becoming a Regional Vehicle Calibration Center
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Popular Posts Auto Body Labor Rates: We're Beat Up and Punch Drunk Things Insurers Say That Really Tick Me Off! Becoming a Regional Vehicle Calibration Center Consolidation Update: The Big Merger Auto Body Shop Owner Writes Book on Customer Service Connect with us advertise with us
Auto Body Labor Rates: We're Beat Up and Punch Drunk
Things Insurers Say That Really Tick Me Off!
Becoming a Regional Vehicle Calibration Center
Consolidation Update: The Big Merger
Auto Body Shop Owner Writes Book on Customer Service
Sponsored By Transtar Autobody Technologies
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Due to recent supply chain issues, our industry has shifted away from more commonly replacing damaged parts to repairing them. Rising material costs and shortages of parts and qualified technicians continue to pose challenges on collision repairers. Processes that streamline workflow, reduce complexity, and free up personnel are critical to a successful operation, and many of these objectives can be achieved without sacrificing quality.
This 45-minute webinar will highlight how high-performance professional aerosols are tools that not only help save time and money, but also free up booth space while adhering to regulatory requirements. Join us to learn how to integrate aerosols into your shop’s SMART (Small Area Repair Technique) repair process, helping you to return vehicles to customers more quickly and profitably.
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Add Your Listing Edit Your Listing By Category Profit Centers Bedliners & Bedliner Franchises/DealershipsCar RentalConsolidatorsFranchises & NetworksPaintless Dent Repair Equipment, Services, Training & FranchisesVehicle Upgrade, Trim & Accessories Refinishing Air Supply SystemsBooth AccessoriesClean Air/Shop EnvironmentCleaning & RecoveryCompressed Air SystemsDetail EquipmentDetail Products & CleanersDrying & Curing Lights/SystemsGun PartsMasking ProductsPaint & Paint ProductsPaint SafetyPaint-Mixing SystemsPrep & Surface ProductsPrep EquipmentPrepstationsSpray Guns & PaintingSpraybooths, Prep Stations & Related Equipment Repair A/C Equipment & SuppliesAdhesivesBody Parts & AccessoriesDimension/MeasuringFrame Straightening & AlignmentGlass/Windshield Repair & ReplacementHand ToolsHeat Guns/Heat ToolsLifts & JacksMechanical Parts & AccessoriesMetal Finishing/FillingPlastics & Plastic RepairPower Tools/Electric & AirScan ToolsService EquipmentStorageVin Certification LabelWelding Equipment & ProductsWelding Safety Shop Management & Operations Advertising & Marketing ServicesCleanup ProductsClothingComputerized Office & Information SystemsInformation, Training & CertificationInternet & Web-Enabled ServicesManagement & Financial ServicesMiscellaneous Training Training: Carbon Fiber Structure Repair
BodyShop Business is the leading source of information for the collision repair industry. Through digital avenues such as videos, podcasts, webinars, e-newsletters, social media and more, plus a monthly print magazine, BodyShop Business delivers content on business management, vehicle repair, industry trends, breaking news and more that collision repair facility owners and managers need to stay current on the rapidly changing auto body world.
BodyShop Business is the leading source of information for the collision repair industry. Through digital avenues such as videos, podcasts, webinars, e-newsletters, social media and more, plus a monthly print magazine, BodyShop Business delivers content on business management, vehicle repair, industry trends, breaking news and more that collision repair facility owners and managers need to stay current on the rapidly changing auto body world.
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When it comes to battery electric vehicle (BEV) and hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) repair safety, collision repair facility owners and operators cannot be over-prepared.
Dirk Fuchs is director of Technical Programs and Services for I-CAR.
When it comes to battery electric vehicle (BEV) and hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) repair safety, collision repair facility owners and operators cannot be over-prepared. After all, EV safety is truly a matter of life and death; electricity will take the path of least resistance — it will find and take all available routes, even if they’re unintended. If you give electricity the opportunity to flow through your body, it will! There is absolutely zero room for error, which is why EV safety preparedness begins well before a hybrid or EV vehicle rolls into your bay.
Outside the shop is just as important — including provisions to keep in mind before an EV is authorized for repair at your shop. Specifically:
Once you’ve verified that a battery is disconnected/no charge, be mindful of “battery concussions.” Much like a brain concussion, some batteries do not look damaged upon visual inspection. Never assume the battery is okay — potential damage could be lurking underneath, as chemical reactions in batteries take time to develop.
The biggest risk is for a battery to be out of balance, meaning several battery cells are holding different voltage levels. Imbalanced cell values create internal resistance between the cells, resulting in increased internal temperatures — which could lead to a thermal event. It’s recommended to regularly check around the battery with a heat gun throughout the entire repair process to ensure a “healthy temperature.” Battery temperature for a non-operating system must be equal to the outside temperature. Battery temperature for an operating high-voltage system is temperature-controlled and should be around 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Wearing proper personal protective equipment (PPE)/safety equipment cannot be overstated; don’t be fooled into believing special PPE gloves aren’t needed. Every step in a HV shutdown and isolation procedure is in place, specifically as written in the service information, for a reason. Wearing PPE adds another level of protection in the event of an unseen or unknown danger or fault, including accidentally touching something that is energized. Additionally, if an incident does occur, PPE insulates technicians from potential shock, an arc welding flash or blast. Keep in mind that electricity does not produce a “taste” or smell, and you can’t see it unless it is arcing or sparking.
The best and first EV tools? Observation, knowledge and assessment.
EVs share many similarities and operational principles, but they are not all the same. Take time to become familiar with the overall vehicle, from understanding the location of all of the HV systems and their parts to cables and how these elements are routed. Assess if any of these items are damaged.
It can’t be overstated enough that the inspection process starts when the customer drives the vehicle in or the flatbed drops it off in the lot outside. There are aspects of BEV/HEV repairs that are different from conventional petroleum-fueled vehicles. Thus, you should be aware of everything from the HV battery’s state of health to its cooling system and HV systems, in addition to all of the usual mechanical and body inspection points.
Scan tools, digital volt Ohm meters (DVOMs), dual-pole testers, milliohm meters and megaohm testers are just a sampling of the tools of the trade, with some very unique ones specific to certain brands and makes. Being familiar with the vehicle and its systems is one part of the equation; the other part is truly understanding the test equipment, its functionality and reliability. Take the time to establish confidence with the accuracy of results and notifications. This includes being able to achieve a “zero potential status/notification” in new equipment after performing a disconnection procedure to switch off the HV system. Be advised that a regular shop multimeter should not be used; too many errors can happen, including setting an incorrect measurement group. Using a two-pole voltage tester, you can only measure voltage, thus eliminating the potential for errors. Additionally, a milliohm meter should be used to measure the component bonding as well as an insulation tester to help ensure a safe environment.
It is highly recommended to install a wall-mount charging station/charging monitor, as it only requires a charger with an ICCB (in cable control box), which acts to supervise the charging mode. It’s critically important to always unplug the vehicle from a charger when somebody is working on the vehicle. The system is considered “live” when plugged in and charging. Working on a vehicle in this condition can be dangerous.
Please be advised that there’s much more to consider when repairing BEV/HEV vehicles than what is outlined in this article. Rather, this article serves to get you thinking about the opportunities ahead in your professional career as vehicles continue to evolve and repairs become more surgical in every way. The choices you make not only impact your safety and livelihood but also have possible repercussions to the lives of the families that drive and perhaps test your work on the roads of America. Your investment in training is an investment in your future, so invest wisely.
I-CAR continues to offer an evolving list of online courses and recently released hands-on training courses, from an Introduction to Electric Vehicles course to the five-day EV Hands-On Skills Development course offering at I-CAR’s new Chicago Technical Center. For the latest course additions, as well as complimentary resources, click here.
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Technical resources to help diagnose and repair engine-related service issues.