Lightness, Long Life and High Capacity in New Battery
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LONGER life, reduced weight, increased capacity for a given size, and a low rate of self-discharge are the principal features of a new battery, known as the Pg, developed by Oldham and Son, Ltd., Denton, Manchester. It incorporates a. new principle not previously available in battery manufacture in this country.
In the past, vitreous felt retainer mats placed on each side of the normal flat positive plate have been used successfully to retain the active material. The slitted tubular positive plate of ebonite or other plastics material has also been effective, but has restricted the space available for active material.
The new Pg double-sleeve, multi-tube positive plate, combines the advantages of vitreous felt retainer mats and plastics outer insulation.
Deterioration problems arc answered, as all the components are virtually immune to the effects of long and continuous immersion in acid, whilst the mechanical construction is such that the shedding of active material, either through normal cycling or external vibration, is eliminated.
The new plate consists of a number of thin p.v.c. tubes lined with woven glass-fibre sleeves and perforated to provide the electrolyte with greater access to the active material carried within the sleeves, which, together with the material itself, are supported and centred on feathered X-metal spines.
Because the n.v.c. and glass-fibre sleeves are thin a greater volume of active material can be packed into each tube. In use the sleeves become securely embedded in the active material, ensuring its positive retention and contributing to longer life.
When used in electric vehicles or appliances, the new battery offers the advantage of extra reserve capacity within a given space, permitting an extension of the delivery round or work per shift.
A set of Pg batteries for a passenger vehicle can show a big saving in weight, and the extended life and the reduced amount of, topping-up necessary help to cut maintenance costs. The low rate of self-discharge should he of benefit in seasonal operation where battery life is often prematurely shortened by long laying up.
The new battery is intended for arduous conditions where full benefit can be derived from its advantages. It is not made for cars, light vans or lorries, in which a battery is needed only for starting the engine and powering the legal lights. It is understood that the cost will be comparable with that of existing types of battery, whilst the service life, given reasonable care,
will be about seven years on tractionwork or nine years on passenger-vehicle operation.