THE PROBLEM 



Determine the practicability and effectiveness of using lead- 

 acid storage batteries as a power supply under high hydro- 

 static pressures and low temperatures such as are encoun- 

 tered in the deep sea. Also, determine the magnitude of any 

 loss of capacity or decrease in discharge rate attributable to 

 high pressures or low temperatures within the range found 

 in the deep sea. 



RESULTS 



Lead-acid storage batteries were found to provide an effective 

 and practical power source under pressures up to 16, 000 psi 

 and temperatures down to 35° F. The lead-acid batteries 

 are cheaper than the silver-zinc cells used and may be mounted 

 externally to save cabin space. 



RECOMMENDATIONS 



1. Use externally carried lead-acid storage batteries as the 

 primary power supply for the TRIESTE. 



2. Extend the investigations reported herein to include other 

 types of "wet" batteries for similar uses. 



3. Initiate investigation to determine other areas of use for 

 this type of power supply, such as unmanned buoys or ocean- 

 bottom instruments. 



ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION 



Work was performed under SR004 03 01 (NEL L4-1) by mem- 

 bers of the Services Department and Signal Propagation 



MBL/WHOI 



03Q1 Q0M055E fi 



