Semester
Spring
Date of Graduation
2002
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MS
College
Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
Department
Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering
Committee Chair
Roy Nutter, Jr.
Abstract
When lead-acid batteries are improperly charged or discharged, useful power delivered to loads diminishes. One cause for this is a phenomenon generally referred to as sulfation. One possible method that has been proposed by many to reverse the effects of sulfation is to recharge the lead-acid battery using a pulse charger. To gain a better understanding of the possible benefits of this type of charging, a pulse charger/discharger was constructed. Cycle testing was then done on six pairs of batteries to compare the pulse charged batteries to conventional full-wave rectifier charged batteries. The results of the tests showed that pulse charging failed to improve the condition of sulfated batteries. Pulse charging did resulted in substantial improvements if the battery's condition was classified as fair. However, pulse charging had little effect on the condition of batteries in excellent condition.
Recommended Citation
Cooper, Robert B., "Pulse charging lead-acid batteries to improve performance and reverse the effects of sulfation" (2002). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 1223.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/1223