[QCWA] Linear Battery

[ve6afo at rac.ca]

Paul,

There is no such thing as a linear battery. I would suggest the context of 
the Motorola set-up is referring to how you wish to charge the lead acid 
battery.

Linear charging is a procedure used to charge a lead acid battery although 
the non-linear method seems to be another option provided. In repeater 
service batteries operate under unusual circumstances and conditions. As 
you mentioned - equalizing is what happens when you select the "linear 
charge" mode. This keeps batteries in repeater service much happier.

I would suggest the wording in the set-up menu is in need of better wording 
and it should not have referred  to a  "linear or non-linear" battery. No 
such beast!

By the way - the automobile charges it's battery using the non-linear 
method. Once energy is taken out (cranking) the alternator puts it back in 
full blast ASAP! The only limiting factor is the voltage regulator which 
senses the battery voltage. The alternator then folds back the current 
going into the battery. No equalizing going on here!

Ken Oelke - VE6AFO
QCWA Life Member #22655