Re: [IDEA] Poor man's UPS

["Jeff V. Merkey" <jmerkey@wolfmountaingroup.com>]

Christian Trefzer wrote:

>On Mon, May 22, 2006 at 04:40:58PM +0100, Alan Cox wrote:
>  
>
>>Lead acid batteries should be kept well charged to avoid sulphation and
>>always full charged when recharging, preferably using a charger that
>>will do proper three step charging. "Cycling" a lead acid battery is a
>>great way to destroy it.
>>
>>    
>>
>
>So it is better to use only one battery (or an array thereof) which is
>sort of charged and discharged at the same time, or is this idea just as
>screwed..? I don't have a degree in electronics, mind you : )
>
>Might be easier to build something that keeps a battery well maintained
>and switches in case of power outage. With large enough condensors to
>bridge the gap, which would also iron out any peaks and stuff, this
>should work pretty well.
>
>Kind regards,
>Chris
>  
>
You know, these old lead acid batteries are a fire hazard, not to 
mention they produce free hydrogen gas when discharging to charging.

Guys, stick to nicads or a fuel cell to avoid burning down your house or 
the neighborhood.  Ever see a lead acid battery explode?  I have.  It 
throws sulphuric acid all over the place.

Jeff