----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2001 8:56
PM
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Gasses from
batteries
David,
For what
it's worth:
During overcharge the electrolyte composed of a dilute
solution of sulfuric
acid decomposes this electrolyte and gives off Oxygen
at one plate and
Hydrogen at the other plate. The escaping gases also
carry off small traces
of the sulfuric acid which is mostly what you
smell.
The bad thing for a sub is that these gases Hydrogen and Oxygen
form an
explosive mixture which when ignited go boom or in the case of the
Shuttle
give propulsion. Cases where lead acid batteries go boom is when
the
batteries are being overcharged and then a surge is drawn from the
battery
which can cause sparks with bad connections or degraded battery
current
conductors. This can and does happen when automotive batteries go
bang.
Good luck,
Ken Martindale