From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Instructions for preparing battery electrolyte and charging procedures.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 26\2\ Scan089 | |
| Date | 6th August 1919 | |
| -3- Contd. If it be necessary to prepare the electrolyte or solution of acid, take sulphuric acid made from best Silicon brimstone, free from contamination of iron or arsenic having a sp.{Mr Spinney} gr.{George Ratcliffe} of 1.835, and pour it slowly into distilled water, stirring meanwhile with a glass rod, until a sp.{Mr Spinney} gr.{George Ratcliffe} of 1.250 is secured when the mixture is quite cold. Never put water into the acid, but always the acid into water, and do this very slowly, in order to avoid an excessive and dangerous rise of temperature. Allow this solution to cool thoroughly before filling the accumulators with it. Leave the battery to stand over night to allow the plates to soak. Charge battery at an ampere value equivalent to 1/16 of the rated ampere hour capacity on the 10 hour rate (i.e. 3½ amperes, the capacity of the battery being 55 ampere hours) for 40 hours at least, but in any case until all plates, both positives and negatives, gas freely. The charge should be as continuous as possible (amperes may be reduced over night but time extended accordingly). If the above rate of the charge be exceeded, the temperature of the battery may rise above 100°F.{Mr Friese} (Never during the life of a battery, allow this temperature to be exceeded. If it is, reduce rate of charge or discharge as the case may be). Contd. | ||