[Milsurplus] Ba-5590

[Brooke Clarke]

Hi Ray:

What's commonly called "12 Volts" for land vehicles really means that 
any voltage between 10 and 15 VDC is allowed.  This same system when 
installed in an aircraft is called "14 Volts", i.e. the system voltage 
varies between 10 and 15 VDC.

The BA-5590 is really two separate "12 Volt" batteries in one box.  
Different chemistries in the xx90 family have different terminal 
voltages.  The current popular BB-2590 that uses Li-Ion chemistry has a 
charged voltage so high that some equipment (Javelin) can be burned out.

Getting wet is not a problem since each cell is sealed.  The BA-5590 
uses LiSO4 chemistry which includes pressurizing a sulfur oxide to many 
atmospheres to make the gas into a liquid.  If a cell is punctured or 
overheated (like if you try to charge it) and the gas escapes it's a 
real problem.  For example LiSO4 batteries are banned on subs because 
you can't run outdoors or open a window.

The BA-5590 has a discharge switch that puts a resistor across each 
battery to discharge it.  When the terminal voltage gets below some 
number (4 V AFAICR) then it's safe to dispose of it.

-- 
Have Fun,

Brooke Clarke
http://www.PRC68.com