More about Battery Life, pls.

[Bob Bath <farfromsmoggen@yahoo.com>]

I noticed the part about overcharging.  Now, if I
follow the e-meter, I'd be equalizing ever time;
unnecessary, but the only way to get the meter to
reset.  At the same time I'd probably be shortening
the life of the batteries.
   Second, I hear that it's good to "drive every day,
charge every night."  But if I didn't pull more than a
kWh or two, not good to recharge.  Is this correct?

(2.5 years/5K miles on USB 8V floodeds, with slight
bulging beginning)
Tbanks, Lee.

> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Lee Hart" <leeahart@earthlink.net>
> Subject: Re: Battery Life
> 
> > Let's anthromorphize a bit, and consider lead-acid
> batteries as alive;
> > like the family dog.
> > 
> > 1. They need exercise; it's good for them. You get
> the longest life
> >    when they are worked to about 50% of their
> capacity at moderate
> > loads.
> >    After they have been loafing for weeks, you
> will notice a distinct
> >    improvement just from giving them moderate
> exercise. 
> > 
> > 2. But don't work 'em till they drop! If you drive
> an EV until it
> >    barely moves, the batteries are having a
> near-death experience!
> >    This is outright battricide, and a leading
> cause of early death.
> > 
> > 3. They need to be be fed regularly (charged).
> Feed as soon as possible
> >    after a workout; they don't like to sit around
> starving after use.
> >    Batteries left sitting for days in an
> undercharged state develop a
> >    condition called sulfation.
> > 
> > 4. Don't overfeed, or they get fat and have
> cumulative health problems
> >    and so die early. Chronic overcharging is a
> major cause of early
> >    death.
> > 
> > 5. Don't underfeed, or they can starve to death.
> Chronic underfeeding
> >    also leads to a weak sickly battery and an
> early death.
> > 
> > 6. Batteries can sit unused for months (hibernate)
> without needing to
> >    be fed. You don't need to put them on a trickle
> charger; just be
> >    sure to feed them occasionally so they stay
> near full charge.
> > 
> > 7. They need fresh, clean water occasionally.
> Sealed batteries have a
> >    built-in watering system, but flooded batteries
> do not. Be sure to
> >    check water levels, and fill with distilled
> water as needed (dirty
> >    water poisons them!)
> > 
> > 8. They need to be kept at reasonable
> temperatures, that you would find
> >    comfortable. Not too hot, and not too cold.
> Lead-acid batteries are
> >    "cold-blooded", so the lower the temperature,
> the slower they get.
> >    Likewise, they can't "sweat", so high
> temperatures cook 'em to death.
> > 
> > 9. Batteries can't talk. They won't whine when
> they're hungry, or cry
> >    when you hurt them. You have to check their
> state of health with
> >    instruments, like voltmeters ammeters and
> hydrometers.
> > 
> > 10. There are different "breeds" of batteries,
> each with its own good
> >    and bad points. Slow plodding workhorse
> floodeds, but long lived.
> >    Racehorse AGMs that are fast and powerful, but
> short lived. Using
> >    the wrong breed of battery for the application,
> or unrealistic 
> >    expectations leads to disappointing results.
> > 
> > 11. And some is just the "luck of the draw". For
> no obvious reason,
> >    identical batteries in the same vehicle will
> have some die young, and
> >    some seem to live forever.
> > 
> > The usual reason you see used EVs that say "needs
> batteries" is because
> > the previous owner treated the batteries cruelly.
> Whether by ignorance
> > or laziness, some or all of the above guidelines
> were violated. But
> > batteries are replaceable, and it usually means
> you can get the EV
> > "cheap".
> > 
> > But such problems can be cured. A little detective
> work to fix the
> > problems, and then some tender loving care will go
> a long way toward
> > getting the longest life possible on the next set
> of batteries.
> > --
> > Lee A. Hart                Ring the bells that
> still can ring
> > 814 8th Ave. N.            Forget your perfect
> offering
> > Sartell, MN 56377 USA      There is a crack in
> everything
> > leeahart_at_earthlink.net  That's how the light
> gets in - Leonard Cohen
> > 
> 


=====
Bob Bath, #2 VoltsRabbit.  128V system. *4,719* miles & counting.    		www.budget.net/~bbath/voltsrabbit.html   
                      ____ 
                     /__|__\ __	 
           =D-------/ -    -   \ 	
                   'O'-----'O'-'
"Would you still drive your car if the tailpipe came out of the steering wheel?"
"Are you saving any gas for your kids?"

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Auctions - buy the things you want at great prices
http://auctions.yahoo.com/