Re: (ET) Re:MY "NEW IDEA" EGT ON FIRE

["David Roden (Akron OH USA)" <roden ald net>]

On 17 Jan 2003 at 12:47, Bob Murcek wrote:

> If
> the pack was overloaded it would probably be outgassing more 
> than usual ...

A lead-acid battery only generates hydrogen on charge, and then only in 
the 
last phase when the charge voltage exceeds its gassing voltage.  A battery 
being discharged can only generate hydrogen if you overdischarge and 
reverse 
one or more cells -- literally charging them backwards.  

This means it's possible for a battery to evolve hydrogen on discharge, 
but 
it's pretty unlikely with well-maintained batteries. 

Also, the hydrogen / oxygen mixture has to be in the explosive range, and 
there has to be enough hydrogen to cause real damage.  I don't know that 
the 
space above the batteries in an ET holds enough to make much more than a 
pop.  What's more, the cover is there to provide some measure of 
protection 
for the operator.  (I'd hate to see it go flying though.)

In the balance, fusing at the battery comes out way ahead in the safety 
game.  It's a good idea and I'm going to add it to my ET.  I'm sorry this 
happend to Paul, but I'm glad he posted his experience so the rest of us 
would have a warning.


David Roden - Akron, Ohio, USA
1991 Solectria Force 144vac
1991 Ford Escort Green/EV 128vdc
1970 GE Elec-trak E15 36vdc
1974 Avco New Idea 36vdc
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Thou shalt not send me any thing which says unto thee, "send this to all   
  
   
thou knowest."  Neither shalt thou send me any spam, lest I smite thee.    
  
       
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =      
  
 
Est. yearly US cost to safeguard Persian Gulf oil supply: $50 billion      
  
       
Est. 2001 value of US crude oil imports from Persian Gulf: $19 billion  
                                -- Harper's Index, April 2002              
      
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =