The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1923-11-02

A high-voltage storage battery has
bureau of standards for over four
years, and has given excellent service.
Many calls have been received for IN
formation regarding such batteries.
The particular batteries to be described
are used to furnish plate current for
generator of undamped radio-fre-
Quency current. The electron tube
used is either VIZ or type p plio-
iron, or their equivalents. The current
for the first tube may range from 10
80 milliampereS, while for the latter
tube ii may be $50 milliamperes, de-
pending on the plate voltage used. 1t
is necessary thar constant current
of small value be available.
Elements.
The individual elements composing
this battery are type 1t chloride ac-
cumulators. The following data are
taken from a catalogue.
Discharge in Amperes
Type Plate of Plates Hrs. Hrs. Hrs.
LT....sh"xl" is Y rs
Charge Glass Jar in Pounds
Rate Electro Com
Is iMS isS AZ" IS
The batteries were made up, using
twelve cells per row and four rows to
the tray. giving about 100 volts when
charged. The illustration shows the
arrangement as employed at present.
with one exception, which will be men,
toned later. Wooden trays were made
up of q finch lumber measuring 11A
by 10 by 4 inches deep. Legs IL
inches long were placed at each cor
ner. Vertical supports II inches high
were fastened at each corner Of the
tray so that the trays might be built
up in stacks if desired, thus occupying
minimum of floor or table space. The
trays were given two coats of black
insulating varnish, allowing plenty Of
time for drying between coats.
Melted paraffin was poured into the
tray and allowed to harden. The glass
jars, the top Of which had been dipped
in paraffin for about an inch down the
side, were then put in place and one
end of the tray blocked up about two
inches. More paraffin was poured in
until ii came within about one inch
of the top at one end and about three
inches from the top at the other end
After the paraffin hardened and the
fitting blocks were removed sloping
surface resulted which is convenient
for washing out any acid or dirt. A
flared glass tube was put through the
bottom of the tray at the lower end to
drain off any water or acid.
The plates for the battery come in
pairs, consisting of one positive and
one negative plate joined by lead
link, the plates going in adjacent cells
and being supported by the lead
link. The battery was made up in
such way that its terminals were al
the opposite end from which the tray
is drained.
Chemically pure sulphuric acid is
diluted to bring the specific gravity to
1910. Directions for mixing the cleo
trolyte may be found in any handbook
on storage batteries. The eIectrolyte
in the jars should come about ore
fourth inch above the top of the plates
Paraffin covers were made for the
cells. The majority Of covers in uss
consist of one long cover for each row
of cells. The paraffin was poured into
a wooden mold or trough about / " by
1914 inches, forming piece about one
quarter-inch thick. While the cover
was still warm, it was removed from
the mold and placed on top of the row
of cells, where 1t was pressed dowr
and conformed to the tops of the Jars
and lead links. In the center above
each jar a considerable depression was
made and a small hole made for gases
to escape This method gives convex
surface to the under side Of the cover
so that the spray forming when the
cell is charging collects on the cover
and forms droplets which are returned
to the electrolyte. AS would be expect
ed, the covers have reduced the evapo
ration greatly In addition to keeping
dust out Of the cells. When the bat