Return-Path: Received: (qmail 23092 invoked from network); 4 Nov 2002 23:17:55 -0000 Received: from marstons.services.quay.plus.net (212.159.14.223) by mailstore with SMTP; 4 Nov 2002 23:17:55 -0000 Received: (qmail 14943 invoked by uid 10001); 5 Nov 2002 00:24:26 -0000 Received: from post.thorcom.com (193.82.116.70) by marstons.services.quay.plus.net with SMTP; 5 Nov 2002 00:24:26 -0000 Received: from majordom by post.thorcom.com with local (Exim 4.10) id 188qVA-0006OL-00 for rsgb_lf_group-outgoing@blacksheep.org; Mon, 04 Nov 2002 23:19:24 +0000 Received: from [194.73.73.92] (helo=carbon.btinternet.com) by post.thorcom.com with esmtp (Exim 4.10) id 188qV9-0006OC-00 for rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org; Mon, 04 Nov 2002 23:19:24 +0000 Received: from host213-122-186-56.in-addr.btopenworld.com ([213.122.186.56] helo=main) by carbon.btinternet.com with smtp (Exim 3.22 #8) id 188qV9-0007PN-00 for rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org; Mon, 04 Nov 2002 23:19:23 +0000 Message-ID: <001201c28458$91f164e0$38ba7ad5@main> From: "Alan Melia" To: "LF-Group" Date: Mon, 4 Nov 2002 23:18:56 -0000 MIME-Version: 1.0 X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72.3110.5 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1106 Subject: LF: UPS batteries Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit X-Spam-Status: No, hits=1.0 required=5.0tests=SPAM_PHRASE_00_01,USER_AGENT_OEversion=2.42 X-Spam-Level: * Sender: Precedence: bulk Reply-To: rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org X-Listname: rsgb_lf_group Hi Peter I note your replacement of the sealed batteries in the UPS with old car batteries. The UPS will charge them correctly but the car batteries will produce hydrogen, I believe, even on a maintenance charge. The sealed batteries are designed not to produce hydrogen (by careful design of the electrode sizes) unless maltreated ( then they bulge alarmingly ). I know your shack is in an extension and hope it is well ventilated. A Radio Club member at MRS was involved in a nasty accident with professional battery back up rack, when a techician walking across a carpet to test a battery (backing a professional link circuit) drew a static spark as he reached for the vent caps and and was drenched in battery acid, by the resultant explosion. The amateur present was able to sluice him with water immediately, and use eye wash bottle. He suffered no lasting effects other than the need for a new pair of shoes and trousers, and an healthy caution when approaching lead-acid batteries. If the batteries can be located outside in a ventilated cover box it would be safer, particularly with the voltages and possibility of sparks involved in LF transmitters. At least do keep an eye wash bottle nearby. It is better to be safe........ Cheers de Alan G3NYK alan.melia@btinternet.com