Hawkins Electrical Guide v. 04 (of 10) / Questions, Answers, & Illustrations, A progressive course of study for engineers, electricians, students and those desiring to acquire a working knowledge of electricity and its applications

by N. Hawkins

Falling off in the capacity may be caused by a dry cell, due to a leaking jar; some or all of the cells may be in a state of incomplete charge, due to the battery having been run too low and not sufficiently charged; or the plates may be short circuited, either by the sediment (deposit in the bottom of the jar) getting up to the bottom of the plates or by something that has fallen into the cell.

---

Electrical Data on "American" Cells Normal Capacity Number of 30 volt Tungsten lamps that can be run with 16 cells in series for 2, 4, 6 or 8 hours Ampere hours 2 hours 4 hours 6 hours 8 hours 40 14 9 8 7 60 17 14 12 10 80 28 18 15 14 120 42 27 24 21 160 57 37 31 28 20 71 45 40 35 250 88 56 50 44 300 106 70 60 52 350 124 81 71 62 400 142 91 81 71

Fig. 1,168.—"American" cell.

Ques. What action takes place when a battery stands idle for some time?

Ans. It loses part of its charge, due to local losses in the cells.

Ques. How should batteries be treated, when used but occasionally?

Ans. If a battery is not to be used for several days, it should first be fully charged before standing; if it continue idle, a freshening charge should be given every two weeks, continuing the charge when the cells begin to gas freely.

Ques. What should be done in case of lack of capacity?

Ans. If the current consumption be normal, there may be poor connections or trouble in the battery; there may be a dry cell, due to a leaking jar; some or all of the cells may be in a state of incomplete charge, due to the battery having been run too low and not sufficiently charged, or the plates may be short circuited, either by the sediment (deposit in the bottom of the jar) getting up to the bottom of the plates or by something that has fallen into the cell.

Electrical Data on "Autex" Cells
(Standard plates; size, 5¾" x 8⅝")

Number of Plates		7	9	11	13	15	17	19	21
Discharge in Amperes for 4 hours		21	28	35	42	49	56	63	70
Outside Measurements Rubber Jars in inches.	{Length	2¾	3½	4¼	5	5¾	6½	7¼	8
	{Width	6⅛	6⅛	6⅛	6⅛	6⅛	6⅛	6⅛	6⅛
	{Height	12⅜	12⅜	12⅜	12⅜	12⅜	12⅜	12⅜	12⅜
Weight in Pounds	{Element	15¾	20¼	24¼	29¾	34	38½	43	47½
	{Electrolyte	4½	5	5¾	6¼	7	7¾	8½	9¾
	{Complete Cell	22	28	34¼	40½	47	53¼	59½	66