Hi Roy
On (07 Oct 97) Roy J. Tellason wrote to Charlie Young...
 RJ> I know that electric cars would need more speed capability,  and that
 RJ> range seems to be most often the quoted "problem" with them.  Anybody 
else
 RJ> care to comment on this stuff?
I had a lot to do with very large batteries [2000 AH plus] in generating
stations. Individual cells weighed some cwt. These batteries were vital for
security in calamitous situations, supplying protective relays, breakers,
controls, fire pumps and emergency lighting.
In the interests of long life and reliability, the maintenance resources
included-
1. Dissolved gas analysis routinely, by acid sample to detect incipient
failure of cell[s].
2. Regular monitoring of the voltage of each cell. Abnormally high, or low,
voltage to be investigated.
3. Single cell charger used for attending to any abnormal cell "in situ". No
point in charging/ discharging the entire battery if there is just one or two
lazy cells.
  
4. Careful adjustment of the charger controls to hold the "float" voltage at
the level dictated by manufacturer.
These practices, will very likely become "household" chores come the day, 
hen
HOMEPOWER sites are commonly running batteries that cost *much* more than
automobiles. Instead of "mow the grass please honey", it will be "hey Dad,
let's go do the battery checks now and go bowling tomorrow instead of today".
Cheers.....ALEC
... ......All in all you're just a nother brick in the wall [P F Lloyd]
--- PPoint 1.92
---------------