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From: frankb@hpsad.HP.COM (Frank Ball)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Lead/Acid Batteries
Message-ID: <1840013@hpsad.HP.COM>
Date: 14 Nov 89 17:16:59 GMT
References: <1989Nov14.025130.8216@oswego.Oswego.EDU>
Organization: HP Signal Analysis Division - Rohnert Park, CA
Lines: 17

*From: vermilye@oswego.Oswego.EDU (Jon R. Vermilye)
*Subject: Lead/Acid Batteries
*have a batch of Gates 6v 2.5 amp hour sealed batteries made 
*up of 3 "D" sized cells.  These are surplus batteries that 
*have probably been discharged for years.  When I try to
* charge them, no appreciable current flows, even at 12v DC 
*input with no current limiting resistor.  Not having done 
*much with lead acid batteries, am I doing something wrong, or 
*are they beyond hope?  Any help would be appreciated.

If the battery is 6 V, try a charging voltage of around 7.1 volts.
If they have been discharged for a long time they may or may not
be beyond hope, but you need to hook up the charger and let them
sit for a while.  They often won't accept much current at first,
but will after some number of hours.  Good luck.

Frank Ball          frankb@hpsad.HP.COM