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Classic Batteries Course: Restoration and Compatibility

Online course of 300 hours in classic batteries: restoration and compatibility. 6 modules covering the battery in the classic vehicle, chemistry and diagnosis, period-correct restoration, compatibility with older systems, charging and storage, and an electrical restoration project, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute certificate
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Explain the evolution and operation of starter batteries.

02

Diagnose the condition of a battery using workshop methods.

03

Restore period appearance while respecting originality.

04

Plan electrical conversions compatible with the vehicle.

05

Apply a charging, maintenance and winter storage plan.

06

Handle acid and battery waste safely.

07

Document a complete electrical restoration project.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Classic vehicle restoration technicians.
  • Automotive electricians.
  • Classic car workshop managers.
  • Vehicle collection managers.
  • Historic vehicle assessors.
  • Technical advisers to classic car clubs.
  • Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter classic vehicle restoration.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • EN 50342-1 (lead-acid starter batteries)
  • RD 892/2013 (Spanish General Regulation on Historic Vehicles)
  • Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 (batteries and waste batteries)
  • Royal Decree 106/2008 (batteries and accumulators)
  • FIVA Code (historic vehicles)
  • ISO 6722 (automotive cables)
  • Advanced Excel
  • Midtronics battery analyser
  • Data-logging multimeter
  • AutoCAD
Syllabus

6 modules · 300 h

  1. 1.1Evolution of the starter battery
  2. 1.26 V and 12 V batteries in historic vehicles
  3. 1.3Positive-earth systems
  4. 1.4Dynamos and charge regulators
  5. 1.5Period formats and cases
  6. 1.6Original terminals, connections and wiring
  7. 1.7Electrical consumption of a classic
  8. 1.8Regulations for historic vehicles
  9. 1.9Originality and authenticity criteria
  10. 1.10Case study: analysis of a classic's electrical system
  1. 2.1Lead-acid chemistry
  2. 2.2Plates, separators and electrolyte
  3. 2.3Flooded, AGM and gel batteries
  4. 2.4Measuring specific gravity and voltage
  5. 2.5Load and cranking tests
  6. 2.6Internal resistance and capacity
  7. 2.7Sulphation and its causes
  8. 2.8Deep discharge and typical failures
  9. 2.9Safety when handling acid
  10. 2.10Lab: full diagnosis of a battery
  1. 3.1Restoration of ebonite cases
  2. 3.2Replicas of historic batteries
  3. 3.3Modern batteries hidden in original cases
  4. 3.4Period caps and connectors
  5. 3.5Cleaning and treatment of terminals
  6. 3.6Battery supports and trays
  7. 3.7Corrosion protection
  8. 3.8Photographic documentation of the process
  9. 3.9Concours d'elegance criteria
  10. 3.10Workshop: restoring a period battery case
  1. 4.1Conversion from 6 V to 12 V
  2. 4.2Conversion to negative earth
  3. 4.3Electronic regulators and alternators
  4. 4.4Hard starting and vintage starter motors
  5. 4.5Modern accessories in classic vehicles
  6. 4.6Protection with fuses and battery isolators
  7. 4.7Electronic ignition systems
  8. 4.8Wiring and suitable cross-sections
  9. 4.9Effects on the vehicle's type approval
  10. 4.10Practical exercise: electrical conversion plan
  1. 5.1Smart chargers and maintainers
  2. 5.2Charging flooded and AGM batteries
  3. 5.3Winter storage and long periods out of use
  4. 5.4Disconnection and parasitic drains
  5. 5.5Maintenance schedule
  6. 5.6Charging safety and ventilation
  7. 5.7Management of battery waste
  8. 5.8Responsibilities of the workshop and the owner
  9. 5.9Long-term maintenance costs
  10. 5.10Case study: winter storage plan for a collection
  1. 6.1Selection of the vehicle
  2. 6.2Inventory of the electrical system
  3. 6.3Diagnosis of the battery and charging system
  4. 6.4Choice of battery solution
  5. 6.5Cosmetic restoration plan
  6. 6.6Compatibility and protection plan
  7. 6.7Maintenance and storage plan
  8. 6.8Budget and timeline
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so you can combine it with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working tools are advanced Excel, a Midtronics battery analyser, a data-logging multimeter and AutoCAD, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practice is based on real procedures: battery test benches, historic vehicle restoration workshops, and charging and cranking measurements. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.

Standards covered: EN 50342-1, General Regulation on Historic Vehicles (RD 892/2013), Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 on batteries, Royal Decree 106/2008 on batteries and accumulators, FIVA Code for historic vehicles, ISO 6722.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of EN 50342-1, the historic vehicle regulations and Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:advanced Excel, a Midtronics battery analyser, a data-logging multimeter and AutoCAD, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:a complete electrical restoration plan for a classic vehicle, from diagnosis to storage, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Electrical inventory
Survey the electrical system of a selected classic vehicle.
Battery diagnosis
Diagnose the battery and charging system with workshop methods.
Battery solution and restoration
Choose the battery solution and plan its period-correct restoration.
Compatibility and maintenance
Define protection, compatibility, maintenance and storage plans with budget.
Final project
A complete electrical restoration project, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Classic vehicle restoration technicianAutomotive electricianClassic car workshop managerVehicle collection managerHistoric vehicle assessorTechnical adviser to classic car clubs
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No prior qualification is required.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with advanced Excel, a Midtronics battery analyser, a data-logging multimeter and AutoCAD, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

No prior qualification is required; you need a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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