The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-10-11
lie SSON No. 80.

since the Introduction OF the start
ing and lighting systems, the storage
battery has become an extremely i'm
portant unit of the automobile, and it
is one which needs a certain amount
of attention. The work it does is ire
mcndous in comparison to its size,
while the enormous sale of autos in
he last few years can be assigned to
it perhaps more than to any other
feature.
| told you in an early lesson that a
battery is composed of cells; thus
dry battery is composed of two or
more dry cells, storage battery Of
two or more storage cells or as they
are also called, accumulation cells, and,
sometimes. secondary cells.
Each accumulated cell, no matter
how small or how large, will yield
current having a voltage electrical
pressure) ov very slightly over two
volts. The cell will give almost the
full pressure even though it be nearly
discharged
OF course two volts is not enough
for practical purposes; we must have
six or more volts. In order to get
the Increased voltage, a number OF
cells are conneaed together in
series" that is, the positive pole Of
one cell is COnnCCItu ~ tIS ACSdtlNS
pole Of the next cell, and so on. Thus
if six volt battery is required, three
cells are so connected up, while, If
twelve volt battery is required, six
cells are used.
In booklet furnished by one OF the
storage battery manufacturers, it is
said that the battery does not store
up the electricity. I think this is a
,,Jn
can send electricity into the battery,
then carry the battery around for
days, and then can get out of il
nearly the same quantity of electricity
formerly sent into il, or portion
thereof, as you desire, it certainly
Goes store up this current. The writ
ers definition of a storage battery
would be: A battery composed of
a number of cells, which, because of
a chemical action, will store up a GER
tain quantity of electricity, and which
will because of a reverse chemical
action give out all or some of this
electricity, according to how much is
desired"
Let us see of what a storage bat
terry is made. First we have the con
tainer, or jar. which is practically al
ways made of hard rubber Generally
there is a separate jar for each cell
las Fig. u, the various cells being
placed side by side in a battery box,
or case, as shown in Fig. 2, but often
the jars are combined into one piece,
as shown in Fig. 3. Figure 4 shows
the jar of Fig. 3, as it would appear
if cut on the lines A-A. You will
notice that in the bottom of this there
are number of raised webs. or
flanges, lettered A in Fig. 4. On these
webs the plates explained below
rest.
In the jars, and resting on the webs,
are placed two sets of plates, one
called the positive, the other negative.
The number of plates in each positive
and each negative set will vary accord
ing to the capacity Of the cell. Thus
The capacity ito be explained later
will be determined by the number and
size of the plates. Each plate is made
up Of a lead grid, as shown in Fig. 5.
The positive grids are filled with a
paste, made of parOXide Of lead, which
is OF a dark brown color, while the
negative grids are filled with a paste
Of soft spongy lead. which has not
as much oxygen as has the peroxide
end which is dull gray. When the
plates have been filled with the paste,
together, SO as to have a space be-
tween them, as shown in Fig. E, by
what are called connecting straps.
These connecting straps, B, have at
tached to them binding posts for
wires. The negative plates are like
wise connected together.
When the plates have been connect
ed. the two sets Of plates are placed
between one another, but are prevent
cd from touching by separator plates
In Fig I, show the sets or plates and
separ , Is being put together. The
scparators are sometimes made OF
perforated rubber, and sometimes OF
a prepared wood.
When the plates have been put to
Hether they are held in place by a
block Of wood, called hold-down blocks
and the now completed elements are
lIaced in Jars. insulated covers are
then put over them. the jars are
laced in their box or case, and the
whole sealed with paraffine. wax OF
special composition. The completed
battery will look as shown in Fig. 5.
Note how, for convenience in con
,.ecting the positive Of one cell to the
negative of the other, the elements
are placed in alternate positions. Also
note the filler holes in each cell.
When the battery is TO be used, {
sOlution, known as the EleCtrolyte, anc
composed OF suIphuric acid and watel
proportion varies according TO make
of battery is poured into each eel
so as to just cover the plates. The
battery is now ready to be charged
which is done by connecting wires il
which direct current of electricity
having a voltage somewhat create
that the voltage Of the battery, IS flow
ing to it.
When the electricity goes into the
tattery, it will cause the water, whicl
is combination of hydrogen ant
Observation-Disclosures Q.G MI if TTn Observation-Disclosures