Solar Battery Technology

I'd heard that adding two percent silver to the metal grids of lead acid batteries prevents the Brown (Positive?) plate grid from progressively dissolving with charging and extends the life by at least double.

Caterpillar used to do this for their old earthmoving machine batteries and a guy I know has had his in a tractor on constant solar trickle charge for 28 years now with occasional weekly use.

I'd like to see more NiFe cells for sale too, it should be possible with modern high purity materials to reduce the self discharge rate and increase the charging efficiency. There are examples of NiFe's that still work fine and are over 100 years old. And they are made from relatively non toxic metals.

Reply to
Mark Harriss
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Making things to last? Using relatively no toxic materials? I want to know what drugs you are on so I can have some too. :P

Reply to
Alan Rutlidge

Unfortunately NiFe batteries are so danged expensive it takes special applications to justify their use.

Sylvia.

Reply to
Sylvia Else

They were invented by the developer of wet cell nicads as a much cheaper alternative to nicads. Theres no reason they can't be the same cost or cheaper than lead acid batteries.

Reply to
Mark Harriss

It's all the fumes from this little known brand of Jamaican solder I get sent over.

Reply to
Mark Harriss

Good one Mark. :-)

Reply to
Alan Rutlidge

Maybe it does. What would be the cost though ? Is it cost effective ?

Do you have a cite for this ? Bear in mind that lead-acid batteries have quite low energy density compared to more modern types.

Graham

Reply to
Eeyore

You say this on the basis of what knowledge ?

Graham

Reply to
Eeyore

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