STORING THE BATTERY

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 47, 8 June 1928, Page 3

STORING THE BATTERY

TWO SAFE METHODS. ()CCASIONALLY one is faced with the necessity of storing the accumulator for a few.months. It may be that a holiday is to be taken, or that business calls us away for a month or two. Now comes the question, what shall I do with my accumulator to keep it in good order and condition until I require it again? Two methods of doing this are available, each calling for a special treatment of the cells. Whichever is used, care should be taken to place the accumulator in such a place that dust will not collect on it. _ The reason for this provision is that dust makes a conductor between the terminals, and if we wish to counteract sulphation it is essential that the charge be retained in the plates during the storing. If dust is allowed to. collect on the top of the cells a short circuit will be formed by it between the terminals, and the plates will become at least partially discharged. The result of leaving an accumulator in a partially charged condition and containing electrolyte is to assist in the formation of sulphate of lead, which is commonly called sulphation. If we adopt the second method where a liquid is left in the cells the same rule apples as to the dust,

The Dry Method. ‘THIS is the better and is recommended. Proceed as follows :- 1: Give the cell or cells a good charge, So that all the plates are in good condition. 2: Empty out all the electrolyte. 8: Refill cells with (distilled water only and discharge the cells until the voltage or charge condition has fallen 10 per cent. 4: Empty out alle the water, and allow cells to drain completely. Absolute dryness should be striven for. Wash away all traces |- of electrolyte from the cell terminals, and give the terminal stems a good coat of vaseline. 5: Store away in a dry dust-proof place. The reason for discharging partially after the water has been added is to avoid heating of the negative plates when they become dry. The water absorbs any electrolyte which has remained in the pores of the’ surface of |} the plates. It is imperative that all liquid be removed from the cells, otherwise sulphation will set in immediately. The Wet Method. 1: See that the plates are well covered with electrolyte, but below the lead connecting bars inside the cells. 2: Place on charge uncil all plates have received a good charge (hydrometer 1.270 or over). 38: Carefully clean all the tops of the cells, the terminal stems, and give all the metal parts acoat of vaseline. Now store away as in the dry method. In this method a periodical charge is beneficial, but not essential, It depends on the condition of the battery when stored. the type of plates, and the quantity of sediment which may be in the cells. If an examination shows the charge condition to be low, say, after a few weeks’ storage, it will be necessary to give it an additional charge. ’ Taking Batteries Out of Storage. When it is desired again to use the battery, it will be necessary to give it a charge until maximum charge condition is again attained. If your battery is showing a whitish coating on the plates before you commence storing operations it would be well to give it a lengthy charge at a low rate of charging until the plates become free of the deposit.