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melt the lug to be burned and the adjoining material until they tend to run together. Using a piece of burning strip, melt the end thereof and fill in around the lug until the whole is a molten mass. Allow the joint to cool and cut off the protruding end of the lug with a pair of end-cutting pliers. pair of end-cutting pliers. Melt the remaining end of the lug till it flows into the strap. Repeat until all plates are burned to the strap.

Burning Plates to Old Straps: The storage battery company

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Fig. 36.-Gould Burning-Rack for Supporting Plates When Burning Plate Lugs to Busbars.

furnishes connector straps for nearly all the modern types of batteries. Sometimes it happens, however, that a battery of an old model or of a manufacture seldom used will be set up with straps that cannot be duplicated. Under these circumstances the old straps should be utilized. With the hacksaw cut off the plates.

Cut slots in the strap, using the old lugs as a guide. Cleanse the strap thoroughly in ammoniated water and scrape clean. Using the proper spacer, proceed as described above.

To Burn Terminal Connector to Pillar Post: Scrape the parts clean. Fit the terminal connector to the pillar post. If the terminal connector does not set low enough, ream the terminal with the triangular scraper until the fit is exact. Heat with flame until the inside of terminal connector and outside of pillar post are one molten mass-throughout. Fill in with molten, burning material and allow to cool. To burn connecting link to pillar posts, proceed as above.

AUTOMOBILE LIGHTING AND STARTING. BATTERY DEFECTS AND RESTORATION SUMMARIZED.

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Generator not charging prop- Battery needs frequent boost-Overhaul generator.

erly.

ing charges.

Regulate for proper charging

rate.

CHAPTER IV

Battery-Charging Methods-Currents and Voltages-Electrolytic Rectifiers -Vibrator Rectifiers-Mercury Arc Rectifiers-Rotary ConvertersRheostats-Lamp-Bank Resistance Charging Precautions—Charging Vehicle Batteries-Winter Care of Automobile Storage Batteries.

THE equipment to be used in charging storage batteries depends entirely upon the type and size of batteries to be charged, the current voltage and character available for charging, and the individual characteristics of the batteries themselves. Storage batteries can be charged only with direct current, i. e., that which flows always from the same direction. It is evident that the use of alternating current, if the mains were attached directly to the battery, would result in rapid changes in the interior of the cells,. and as the flow in one direction would tend to neutralize that in the other, the plates would depreciate very rapidly. If alternating current is the only kind available, this must be transformed or rectified into direct current. All cells cannot be charged at the same rate. The greater the capacity of the battery and the higher its discharge rate, the greater the amperage of the current that can be used in charging. While the voltage of a storage battery made of certain materials will not vary with the size, the amperage or current output increases with the plate size and number. A leadplate storage battery no longer than a thimble will have just as high voltage as one as big as a barrel. It will be evident, however, that if too much current is passed through a small cell it will be injured, whereas too little current passed through a large cell will have but little effect on changing the character of the plates.

There are two general methods in use for charging either the sulphuric-acid-lead batteries or the alkali-nickel-iron batteries used in the various commercial applications. The first method, and the

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one most widely followed, is called the constant-current system. The other system, which has only received attention lately, is called the constant-potential method. Two other schemes are used also which are modifications of the two previously named general

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Fig. 37.-Battery-Charging Outfit, Having Field-Coil Rheostat.

methods, one known as the multiple voltage system, the other as a fixed resistance method. The constant potential method is said to offer a number of advantages. There is less evaporation of electrolyte and less shifting of rheostats is needed. Any form of battery may be charged by means of a fixed resistance connected in series. When the battery counter electromotive force is nearly

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