From: tylerh@cco.caltech.edu (Tyler R. Holcomb)
Subject: Battery Technology for EVs
Keywords: Batteries electric vehicles
Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1992 18:53:22 GMT


Copied from the June/July 1992 issue of "Current EVents" without permission.

                    New Battery Catalyst for Improved Lead 
                           Acid Battery Performance

Battery Automated Transportation announces a new battery catalyst for improved
lead acid battery performance

Ultra Force Battery Specifications

   The "Ultra Force" battery catalyst is the result of years of  research to
develop a deep cycle battery adequate to power electric cars. The  "Ultra
Force" electrolyte retards sulfation of battery plates and has a much lower
impedance  (which reduces resistance to the flow of power) resulting in several
advantages over  regular lead-acid batteries.

   With lower impedance, recharging energy requirements are reduced 
approximately 20%, resulting in a 20% reduction in energy costs.

   With lower impedance, power output is sustained at higher voltages,
extending operational time between fully-charged and fully-discharged
batteries.  Normal batteries are considered depleted when battery-load voltages
decline  to 5.25 volts (for 6 volt battery). The Ultra Force Catalyst allows
the battery to  continue to discharge under substantial load conditions down to
5.00 volts.

   With lower impedance, heat buildup is reduced, substantially  reducing water
consumption and lowering maintenance costs.

   The Ultra Force Catalyst retards the sulfation process, increasing  the
number of cycles from as few as 400 to as many as 1,500 to 2,000 cycles, thus
considerably extending battery life,

   "Ultra Force" batteries are safer to operate because they  significantly
reduce the amounts of hydrogen gas which are normally produced by lead-acid 
batteries. Normal lead-acid batteries boil profuse]y (emitting hydrogen gas)
when the charging voltage exceeds 14.2 volts (12 volt battery). "Ultra Force"
batteries will exhibit minimal gassing, even at higher voltages.

   For more information contact Bob Martino, B.A.T. Technologies, 2471 S. 2570,
West Valley City, UT 84119 or call 800-255-0905.

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(Comments from Chris Yoder, maintainer of INFO_EV mailing list, follow)

     I don't know quite how to take this article.  I talked to them, and they
made some amazing claims about their product, and sent me some information
(including the above article.)  I'm not certain if this is a new type of snake
oil or if this stuff would actually work.  If it *DOES* work, I'm very, very
interested.

     I asked them if they had any independent verification of these results. 
Their response was that there was some preliminary research, but no published
results yet because the product is so new.  I will be scanning some of these
preliminary results and sending them on to you.  I will also be scanning a press
release from them announcing a new EV for sale.

-- Chris Yoder                  Internet --- Chris@HMCVAX.Claremont.Edu
     VMS Systems Manager
     Harvey Mudd College        Bitnet ----- Chris@HMCVAX.Bitnet

Disclaimer:  Harvey Mudd College takes no responsibility for anything I post. 
I make no money forwarding this information to the net, I am simply an electric
vehicle user who is interested in promoting the use of electric vehicles.

-- 
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Tyler Holcomb   *   "Remember, one treats others with courtesy and repsect *
tylerh@juliet   *   not because they are gentlemen or gentlewomen, but     *
  caltech.edu   *   because you are."  - paraphrased from Garth Henrichs   *
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