[Milsurplus] Lead Acid Batteries

[gl4d21a at juno.com]

I was interested to read the comment about keeping lead acid batteries charged.  I was recently in communication with a manufacturer of commercial equipment about the treatment of the gelled electrolyte batteries in his equipment, and he recommended leaving them on charge no longer than a couple of days at a time.  So, a blanket statement about keeping them charged needs a lot of modifiers, and humming and hawing.  

A number of years back I designed some equipment for a customer which used gelled electrolyte batteries, and I found a charger manufacturer who could supply a dual rate charger which initially charged at 14.something volts until the current dropped to a preset value, then dropped to a maintenance charge of 13.something volts.  Both voltages need to be temperature compensated, and set to the particular electrolyte chemistry.  So, the comment about a bad idea which went downhill from there about lead acid batteries in electronic equipment is well justified.  Way too many variables to be practical.

73,
George
W5VPQ

___________________________________________________________________
Speed up your surfing with Juno SpeedBand.
Now includes pop-up blocker!
Only $14.95/month -visit http://www.juno.com/surf to sign up today!