DISCUSSION 



Although minor fluctuations may be noted in the voltages of 

 the cells, there is no consistent decrease in capacity and it 

 is believed that these voltage fluctuations can be accounted 

 for in the normal fluctuation found in any lead-acid cell from 

 one charge to the next. It should be noted that in some cases 

 the apparent capacity under high pressure and low temperature 

 conditions is actually greater than that found in the control 

 discharges and that in every case except one, the discharge 

 curve, under pressure, is actually flatter than the control 

 curve. It is also interesting to note that during the time 

 that the pressure is being applied, there is an initial voltage 

 rise significantly higher than normally encountered. This 

 is probably due to the compression and virtual elimination 

 of the gas bubbles or film on the face of the battery plates. 



Based on the results of these tests, construction of battery 

 boxes (fig. 13) was begun and sufficient 12 -volt automobile 

 batteries for two complete operational sets (1400 ampere- 

 hours at 24 volts per set) were obtained. These batteries 

 were coated with epoxy resin and fitted with the polyethylene 

 reservoir previously mentioned (fig. 14). They have now 

 been placed in service and presently are providing a satis- 

 factory primary power supply for the TRIESTE. 



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