Re: (ET) How do your batteries die?

[David Brandt <ev_dave13 yahoo com>]

Note that the exides would seem to be simply rebadged USB's.  I bought a 
set of exides from a dealer here for my ET and noted that their "U1800" 
was identical in every way except for the label, to the "US1800" on the 
USB website.  Color, size, cpaacity, weight, etc.

David Brandt


--- On Sun, 12/6/09, Darryl McMahon <darryl econogics com> wrote:

> From: Darryl McMahon <darryl econogics com>
> Subject: Re: (ET) How do your batteries die?
> To: "elec-trak cosmos" <elec-trak cosmos phy tufts edu>
> Date: Sunday, December 6, 2009, 10:06 AM
> I am speaking only from my own
> experience.  I have heard from others that they have
> had good experience with USB.  I have not.  I do
> not recommend them to others.  According to the
> charging recommendations from USB, you need a higher
> charging voltage (2.583 Volts per Cell) than is recommended
> by other manufacturers.  In my experience with
> floodies, they should be gassing audibly before reaching 2.5
> volts per cell.  3rd party chargers do not supply the
> required voltage, as this would be in the over-charging
> range for any other battery manufacturer.
> 
> Shortest-lived batteries I have ever had in an EV - about
> 15 months before I saw my first 4-volter, and another in the
> 16-module pack expired in the same manner each week or two
> thereafter until I gave up.  Based on SG readings, in
> each case, the centre cell failed, apparently shorted. 
> My dealings with USB were curt and disappointing.
> 
> My E12 doesn't see a lot of use most of the year.  Use
> depends on construction projects, gardening and snow removal
> needs.  My batteries get minimal care (a good charger,
> checking water levels 2-3 times a year, only distilled
> water, and staying alert to problems to try to catch them
> early).  However, based on the Trojans I had in my last
> pack, and the Exides I have now, I fully expect 10 years of
> use from a pack in this tractor.
> 
> Darryl
> 
> 
> 
> tbamc wrote:
> > I bought a complete set of U.S. Battery batteries
> about 5 years ago.  Only 1 of those 6 is still
> alive.  After talking to the  U.S. B. people, and
> this list, I think I should have been charging them
> harder/longer, but I'm not sure that relates to my
> question:
> > 
> > Every one of the dead batteries read about 4v when it
> expired, and couldn't be charged to much over 4v.  This
> implies to me that a cell shorted.  I would have
> expected the more likely scenario would be for each battery
> to just get weaker, i.e. still charge to above 6v but not
> hold a charge for as long.
> > 
> > Am I thinking about this correctly and is my
> experience typical, or not?
> > 
> > Thanks.
> > 
> > Thon
> > 
> > _______________________________________________
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> > 
> > 
> > 
> 
> -- Darryl McMahon
> 
> The Emperor's New Hydrogen Economy (in trade paperback and
> eBook)
> http://www.econogics.com/TENHE/
> 
> Journey to Forever reviews The Emperor's New Hydrogen
> Economy
> http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html#tenhe
> 
> 
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