For example, a mobile X-ray machine carries ten 12V-28AH sealed
lead-acid batteries, each of which is about the size of a small automobile
battery, and each battery consists of six non-replaceable 2-volt cells.
Over time and/or use, cells lose their ability to hold a charge,
and after enough cells have deteriorated such that the total voltage won't
operate the X-ray machine, the hospital replaces the ENTIRE BANK!
Furthermore, to try to ensure they will never fail in use, batteries
which power IV pumps and UPS's (Uninterruptible Power Supplies) are
replaced on a time-in-use basis even if they haven't yet failed.
For 25 years, Mercy Hospital in Manhattan, Kansas, has given me their
"old" "bad" batteries. Those whose voltage remains "nominal" while
supplying a current of an ampere or so (I use an automobile headlamp
as a visual load) are listed below and are given (free of charge,
of course) to amateur-radio/HAM operators all over the nation (I once
sent, via a HAM who was going that way, ten 12V, 28AH batteries to
southern Florida for use in their hurricane season!), while those which
fail go to the recycling center.
Over the years, I've received all sorts of batteries, from monster 110-pound
12V-100AH batteries to 50-pound 120V-4AH batteries to ounce-size cells.
Most batteries are LEAD-ACID, but shrink-wrapped packs generally
contain NiCd, NiMH, or Li-Ion cells, and some are so
well encased that I don't know what they are! Once, long ago, I
received some "wet" NiCd's (think potassium hydroxide instead of sulfuric
acid), and once I was given two humongous-big/heavy 5 KVA UPS's (the
entire uninterruptible power supply INcluding the batteries);
these went to Kansas City and Nebraska for emergency repeater power!
Many of these batteries last for YEARS beyond their replacement
date. In 2007, for example, I finally recycled a 12V-17AH battery
which HAMs used to provide emergency communication for the 1996
International Horse Race!
As of 21 March, 2012, the following batteries are available
How Amp
Many Volts Hrs Other Comments
---- ----- ---- ----------------------------------------------------------
2 12 24 About the size of a small automobile battery
0 12 17 About the size of a motorcycle battery
44 12 7 UPS batteries replaced every two years
1 12 5.8
11 12 3.4
1 12 2.9 Actually two glued-together 6-volt batteries in series
2 12 1.2
2 8 3.8
6 8 2.7 IV-pump batteries rated for a fairly-low discharge rate
and replaced on a time-in-use basis. I've used
one with appropriate cabling in place of a 9-volt
"transistor" battery and it has lasted a LONG time!
3 6 5 Three Gates lead-acid cells in triangular packages
5 6 4.5
2 6 2.4
The following SHRINK-WRAPPED PACKS can be disassembled and rebuilt
by a ( choose one or more: true cheap thrifty desperate ) HAM:
==========================================================================
How Amp
Many Volts Hrs Other Comments
---- ---- ---- ----------------------------------------------------------
1 16? ? 14 AA-size cells of unknown chemistry.
1 14.8 3.8 unknown number of Li-Ion cells; pack is totally dead,
but it's on a charger right now.
2 12 4 10 NiMH cells, each a little longer than AA-size.
1 12 3 unknown number of NiMH cells; pack reads 7 volts right now,
so it probably contains some bad cells.
1 12 ? unknown number of NiMH (?) cells; pack reads 12 volts
right now, so they may all be "good".
1 12? ? 8 cells of unknown chemistry; each cell is longer
and thicker than AA-size.
1 10.8 5.2 unknown number of cells of unknown chemistry, and pack
has "funny" terminals I've never deciphered;
need to disassemble it first!
If you have a use for one (or more) of the above, and if you'll promise to
dispose of it (them) properly when it (they) finally expire, then contact me
by email (W0PBV@ARRL.net) or phone (785-539-4448; Manhattan, KS).
First come, first served, and you must come to my place to get them.
Some miscellaneous hardware and/or connectors are also occasionally available.
Five boxes preserve our freedoms: soap, ballot,
witness, jury, and cartridge. PhD EE - Barbershop Tenor - CDL(PTXS) - Amateur Radio Operator (W0PBV)
NRA "Lifer" & Certified Rifle, Pistol, and Home-Firearm-Safety
Instructor
Certified Instructor for Kansas CCH (Concealed-Carry Handgun) license
This page was last modified on Wednesday, 20 March, 2013.