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Re: (ET) battery drainage question

      As far as the ET is concerned.................it is essential a traction 'engine' much the same as the diesel / electric locomotives it is often compared too.The higher energy densities that new chemistries and technologies may offer will still be severely offset, if not by cost, but by the simple fact that "Mass prevails".Unless someone has access to depleted uranium the folks that really use their ETs to their full potential will still be doing it with technology unchanged for over a century. :) Being the Luddite that I am, that really warms my heart .  <G>

RJ

Christopher Zach wrote: 
George Stoneberg wrote:
  
David,

Good point, all my NiCad experience is with battery packs, not 
individual cells and is from about 20-30 years ago.  When we let our 
packs go all the way dead, sometimes one ore more of the cells would 
fail and need to be replaced.  I defer to your greater experience with 
NiCads.  Personally though, I am happy to move away from NiCads.
    
Actually it has been my experience that flooded BB600 NiCDs really don't 
reverse much. When they hit empty they usually have pretty high 
resistance which drops the tractor below 30 volts. Once you go below 30 
volts the contactors drop out and that's pretty much that.

30 volts is also 1.0vpc with 30 cells. Which is a good bit higher than 
the "empty" voltage of .8vpc.

  
There are certainly places for NiCads, but in an EV lithiums are the 
future.  They are beginning to automate some of the assembly of the new 
packs.  Hopefully prices will drop as they develop better manufacturing 
methods.
    
I would gladly take anyone's unloved ST5-180's or ST5-100's. I'll even 
pick them up.

Chris

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