[Date Prev][Date Next]
[Chronological]
[Thread]
[Top]
Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Gasses from batteries
As of three months ago, Hydrocaps were still
available. I came across them while buying something else for the
sub. If I remember where I saw 'em, I'll post the URL. They work
good, and are economical too. If you're carrying L-A batteries inside the hull
with you, they make real good sense, IMOHO.
My batts are inside the p-hull with me. This
overhaul, I switched from 24 volts to a 36-volt (three 12's) battery pack, and a
seperate battery for the incidental electrical systems: lights, fans, 'finder,
PA, U-phone, etc. I decided to go with sealed OPTIMA gel-cel batteries for
a few reasons.
1. Deep Cycle / High cranking amps / good
endurance: well suited to my new M-K Riptide 101.
2. No fumes and no servicing at all.
Nothing. Zip. Nada. Take 'em to bed and sleep with 'em if you
wanna. Totally clean and very user friendly.
3. Operates at any angle or attitude.
This time around, modifications and design requirements in the NAUTILUS MINISUB
mean the systems battery has to be mounted on it's side in a metal box I built
and installed up in the nose cone. Weight-and-balancewise, that's where it
needs to be; and it's gotta be sideways to fit all the other electrical
components in up there with it, too. So I've got to mount this one on it's
side, and the OPTIMA does that.
4. Also, we're going to be making use of my
hydrobatic ballast system, standing the sub 90-degrees on it's tail and
submerging on ballast as in the last scene of 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA when
we film for a TV show this Summer. To do that, I can't use
a propulsion battery pack that will leak electrolyte when placed at an
extreme unusual attitude; so the OPTIMA fills the bill. I talked to
the salesman and read the brochure: these can even be mounted upside down and
will still work fine: no problem at all.
5. High resistance to damage. Depending on
circumstances, something could bang the battery case, and an acid spill inside a
pressure hull would be a drag. The OPTIMA case structure, gel, and
"plates" (if that's the right word: the innards don't look like regular plates)
are said to be pretty well indestructable: able to sustain severe damage without
leaking or failing to provide power.
So for my own special purposes, this OPTIMA sealed
battery is pretty much "necessary". But even if you plan to stay
"pointy end forward and dirty side down" all the time, the fact that they don't
leak fluids or gas might have some appeal for you, too.
The drawback is they are expensive. I guess
that comes down to what money is worth to you, and how badly you want or
need this kind of system for your sub. I'm not trying to sell 'em;
just thought I'd mention them in case anyone might be looking
for an alternative to regular Lead - Acid batteries.
Pat