Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (April 1995)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Thu, 20 Apr 1995 22:18:16 -0600 (MDT)
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Jack Reed <jackr@fortnet.org>
Subject:      Re: Speaking of batteries...

On Thu, 20 Apr 1995, Alistair Bell wrote:

> > > Dug up the ol' chemical reaction that goes on in a battery. > > Take a deep breath: > > remember, the battery is made up of alternating lead and lead oxide plates, > with sulfuric acid as an electrolyte. > > the electrolyte contains hydrogen ions (H+) and sulphate ions (SO4--). > During discharge, H+ ions react with the lead(IV) oxide to give > lead(II)oxide and water; > > PbO2 + 2H+ + 2e- -> PbO + H2O > > the reaction takes electrons from the plate, causing a positive charge. > There is a further reaction to yield soft lead sulphate; > > PbO + SO4-- + 2H+ -> PbSO4 + H2O + 2e- > > electrons are released to the electrode, producing a negative charge. > > You can see how the production of H2O accounts for the lower specific > gravity in a discharged battery. > > During charging the reactions are reversed; > > PbSO4 + 2e- -> Pb + SO4-- > PbSO4 + 2H2O -> PbO2 + 4H+ + SO4-- + 2e- > > Now the specific gravity of the electrolyte (sulfuric acid) increases. > > I still can't see where EDTA would fit in. > I don't see any divalent cations... > > Alistair > >

It's only effective when the battery is in a discharged state, if that's any help (still haven't located those papers, but I will)...

Jack


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.