Re: I got an idea, Lets talk about subs now.

[VBra676539@aol.com]

In a message dated 6/29/99 3:19:56 AM, shawl@torchlake.com writes:

<<What kind of batteries are used in these?
What kind of oil is used?
Vance did you pilot any subs with oil filled battery housings?

Jon Shawl
>>

Yes, worked on Pisces V and VI, piloted Leo and JS-L 1 & 2, and they all have 
pressure compensated batteries. The Hyco boats have 120/24 volt systems make 
up of 500-odd amp 2-volt cells with lots of headspace (the distance from cell 
top to inside case top) so that they didn't have to be watered often. The 
JSLs use 1400 amp 2-volt cells and have a 28 volt rating (plus an emergency 
pack carried right aft made up of 225 amp 6-volt golf cart batteries). All 
use non-conductive transformer oil as the compensating fluid. JSLs have a big 
bladder in the forward end of the battery box for compensation. Hyco used a 
fiberglass cylinder about a foot long with rubber "top hats" on each end for 
the same purpose. The system is effective, obviously, but messy and a 
constant pain to maintain during heavy ops. With the deeper boats, it was the 
only way to carry enough juice to work 8-10 hours routinely, but oh boy, 
those maintenance days! P-boats had 2 boxes 4-feet square and 2-feet deep, 
each with 30-odd cells swimming in oil!!!!!

As to air compensation, I don't know. The battery manufacturers would 
certainly have a way to equalize pressure in their units (for instance, 
driving up and down mountains would be enought to cause problems, wouldn't 
it?). I would think that if a curious psubber were to call directly, the 
sales reps would find out and let him or her know.

The JSLs use external regulators for their HP air system (as I do for my 
K350). Something like a first stage scuba regulator can be set from nearly 
nothing to 130 pounds or so. You'd want to relieve pressure. too. Why not 
just built a pressure can for the batts and forget all that? Much, much 
simpler once the sub is finished. Believe me.

Vance