Sealed Battery Charging

[fe-ambo]

The battery in the ambo is flat and I want to charge it with a 240 volt battery charger. The question I have as it is a sealed battery and cant remove the plugs (?) for ventilation, is it safe to charge by a 240 volt battery charger? I would hate to have the battery explode on me.

Cheers
Paul

[KFH]

I assume it is a wet cell battery.  You should be able to charge it with a 240 volt charger however it may be wise to try to limit the current to it to prevent excess gassing. They do have vents in the top of the battery to let excess gas out. Having said that with the battery being flat it may only accept a low charge if any at all.  If the battery has been let go flat and recharged they generally loose there capacity.  Ideally a lead acid wet cell battery should be charged every 3 - 4 weeks.

A question. Where did the term "flat" come from to describe a flat battery.  Isn't a flat battery one that has been squashed flat?

Keith

[EffCee]

Keith,

I onced asked a mechanic the same thing when I started my apprenticeship. The answer I got was as follows:

The battery when charged gives off gas. Beer when ready to drink gives off gas. A battery that does not give off gas is "Flat". Beer that does not give of gas is "Flat".

Probably not the right answer, but as a 15 year old apprentice I wasn't going to argue! It seemed logical though.

Keith

[FCwagon]

Can't help with where "flat" came from and who knows why they're "dead"
Correct terminology I guess is charged or discharged but why do you get discharged from the army?

[RET]

but why do you get discharged from the army?

or for that matter, charged by the police? ;D

Seriously though, maybe its etymology is related to that of a "flat tyre".

RET