Military Vehicles, May 1997,: RE: [MV] Sulfated Batteries

RE: [MV] Sulfated Batteries

R. Notton (106363.2514@compuserve.com)
Mon, 19 May 1997 02:55:47 -0400

Craig,
Lead-acid batteries really don't like standing unused with electrolyte in
them, a guaranteed killer.

We have the same problem with unused motorcycles over the long British
winters (spring and fall if you're counting). Here's three ideas that may
be of use.

For 12V batteries we have a commercial product that continually monitors
the battery and tops it off as and when required, these may be available in
the States.

I have found some very low current plug-top NICAD trickle chargers of the
type you can dis-assemble and re-selected the internal limit resistor to
give 30 milliamps or so at 13.6V. This is enough to keep the battery alive
without boiling it dry and is left permanently connected, this has been
totally successful this past winter.

Perhaps you can find a cheap time-switch at you hardware store and set it
to power-up your regular high-current charger once a week for say a hour or
so.

Richard
(Southampton UK)

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