RE: (ET) Corrosion

["Hazen, Dwight L" <hazen indiana edu>]

One of the secrets of long battery life is keeping the case clean. Not
only will the battery look better, but less chance of discharge across
the top of the case between the post connectors. And down the sides to
ground.

 Dwight


Dwight L. Hazen, Indiana University, UITS 

Bloomington, In. 47408-7378

812-855-5367 IP phone 317-278-4014    

hazen indiana edu http://php.ucs.indiana.edu/~hazen/

Ham Radio wb9tlh arrl net http://wb9tlh.ampr.us


-----Original Message-----
From: David Roden (Akron OH USA) [mailto:roden ald net] 
Sent: Sunday, June 08, 2003 9:43 PM
To: elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu
Subject: Re: (ET) Corrosion

On 7 Jun 2003 at 14:19, RJ Kanary wrote:

> Keeping the electrolyte at the minimum necessary level can reduce this
> concern. "Just enough to cover the plates." 

That's probably OK if you're very careful.  But I don't think most
people 
should let it go that low, especially with the battery boiler these
tractors 
use as a charger.

First, you're just too close for comfort, without enough margin of
error.

Second, you're increasing the electrolyte concentration.  I don't know
that 
it's a huge difference, maybe not even a significant one, but it does
change 
the balance between active material capacity and electrolyte capacity.

You needn't (and probably shouldn't) fill all the way to the split ring,
but 
I'd keep the level within a half-inch or so of it.

>  My weapon of choice for cleaning the battery tops is plain old
household
> ammonia. 

Sounds fine.  Like any other base, just be careful not to get any in the

cells.  

I clean battery tops with dishwashing liquid (usually Ajax), a
toothbrush 
for the little crannies, and water.  However, since I'm using gel
batteries 
in my ET, that's not really an issue.  I just wipe them down now and
then to 
remove the accumulated dust.


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
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