more lead acid questions
Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 9:40 pm
Hi Folks,
I've got a few random questions on lead acids (apologies if they've been asked before but my searches didn't show up the answers):
1/ In a prevoius post, JonSpence grouped lead acids into the following categories:
Starting,
Leisure, Semi-traction.
Traction,
Deep cycle,
I understand the difference between starting (high amps low discharge depth) and deep cycle batteries(low amps deep discharge), and I understand that leisure is a half & half battery, but what's the difference between deep cycle and traction?
2/ I recently acquired six old traction batteries (chloride motive power 12v 100Ah). They show a voltage of 11.8 - 12.1volts a day or so after charging and cannot be raised above 13.4 without excessive charge currents.
I measured the capacities of each one (48amp load to <10volts) and got three batteries of less than 3Ah, two that gave ~25 Ah and one that managed 39Ah. Given the high rate of discharge I thought the 'good' one wasn't bad, but the low charged voltage suggests it's rather past it. Are traction batteries normally 'low voltage'?
Is it worth trying any restoration tecniques on these batteries (like replacing electolyte) or am I wasting my time?
3/ I'm looking for some new batteries for a new solar / wind power supplied home power system (assuming the above traction batteries are beyond help). There are some ex-UPS 12v 100Ah yuasa batteries on ebay for £45 at the mo'; two different types from the same supplier:- endurance enL100-FT ( 220309448254 ) / NPL100-12 gel cells ( 220309452086 ). What's the difference between these (I couldn't get any info off two different Yuasa webites.
Are these a good choice or can anyone recommend cheaper / better.
cheers
Mab
I've got a few random questions on lead acids (apologies if they've been asked before but my searches didn't show up the answers):
1/ In a prevoius post, JonSpence grouped lead acids into the following categories:
Starting,
Leisure, Semi-traction.
Traction,
Deep cycle,
I understand the difference between starting (high amps low discharge depth) and deep cycle batteries(low amps deep discharge), and I understand that leisure is a half & half battery, but what's the difference between deep cycle and traction?
2/ I recently acquired six old traction batteries (chloride motive power 12v 100Ah). They show a voltage of 11.8 - 12.1volts a day or so after charging and cannot be raised above 13.4 without excessive charge currents.
I measured the capacities of each one (48amp load to <10volts) and got three batteries of less than 3Ah, two that gave ~25 Ah and one that managed 39Ah. Given the high rate of discharge I thought the 'good' one wasn't bad, but the low charged voltage suggests it's rather past it. Are traction batteries normally 'low voltage'?
Is it worth trying any restoration tecniques on these batteries (like replacing electolyte) or am I wasting my time?
3/ I'm looking for some new batteries for a new solar / wind power supplied home power system (assuming the above traction batteries are beyond help). There are some ex-UPS 12v 100Ah yuasa batteries on ebay for £45 at the mo'; two different types from the same supplier:- endurance enL100-FT ( 220309448254 ) / NPL100-12 gel cells ( 220309452086 ). What's the difference between these (I couldn't get any info off two different Yuasa webites.
Are these a good choice or can anyone recommend cheaper / better.
cheers
Mab