Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!samsung!olivea!oliveb!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!89.0!Jack.Barker
From: Jack.Barker@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Jack Barker)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Angry as Hell!
Message-ID: <16642@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 8 Jan 91 18:52:13 GMT
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Index Number: 12710

[This is from the Advocacy Conference]

 
     While eating lunch yesterday with a friend at the Golden Arches 
(McDonalds), he mentioned that the batteries in his wheelchair were going 
bad.  Jim had called a company to check on prices and was told he would 
have to pay for the batteries plus a 50 dollar installation charge up 
front and they would send the paper work to Medicade.  He had decided to 
buy the batteries elsewhere and get one of his friends to install them, 
but didn't know what model number to ask for on the phone.  I was going 
to check for him, but got distracted when we returned to his home and 
forgot. 
 
     Today, while returning from an appointment, I remembered Jim's 
batteries and dropped in.  After getting the battery number, I popped the 
caps to check the water level.  All 12 cells (2 batteries) were completely 
dry in these MAINTENANCE FREE batteries.  I put in between 2 1/2 and 3 qts. 
of water into these MAINTENANCE FREE batteries.  MAINTENANCE FREE, my 
patunia! 
 
     Jim was told by his dealer that he NEVER had to check the water in 
his MAINTENANCE FREE batteries.  Maintenance Free batteries are nothing but 
a SCAM by the manufactuers and those who sell them.  If batteries are not 
maintained properly, they will go bad prematurely and more batteries can 
be sold.  When Jim's dealer told him that he didn't have to check his 
water, he was being taken advantage of.  This situation makes me ANGRY AS 
HELL!  ***** CHECK YOUR BATTERY WATER *****  irregardless of what anybody 
may tell you otherwise! 
 
          ***** WARNING ***** CAUTION ***** WARNING ***** 
 
     When your battery is being checked or recharged, keep it away from 
flames and sparks and don't smoke!  Lead acid batteries produce hydrogen 
gas while being charged and there might be some lingering around between 
rechargings.  Also, if you use a rag to wipe up any spilled water on top 
of the battery, use one that can be thrown away and wash your hands. 
Sulfuric acid (in an invisible form) collects over time on and around 
lead acid batteries.  Use ONLY distilled water in your battery. 

--
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