Warsaw University of Technology

Electrical Faculty
Institute of Electrical Power Engineering

Energy Conversions - laboratory

Exercise instruction
Research of lead acid battery

Exercise should be performed in accordance with the instructions

NOTE: Do not short circuit of battery !!!

Danger of explosion and burns acid

Nominal voltage of battery is 6 V!!! (3 cells serial connected)

First steps:

Put the battery in plastic box like in figure below

Pour the water to the plastic box (1-2 cm high)

Keep the tube for discharging gas (hydrogen) from the battery under water surface

The purpose of exercise is to define characteristics of charging and discharging for lead acid batteries
and the calculation of the efficiency of processes.

The exercise consists of the following stages:

- Test of the discharge process,

- Test of the charging process,

- Calculations.
Discharge process

1. Prior to testing, connect the system according to Scheme 1 (below).

2. Measure the current and voltage in the system. The measurements we note in Table 1.
Do measure with the greatest possible accurancy (set the correct range in the meters)!

Table 1
Discharge process

Time from Amperemeter Voltmeter

I [A] V [V]
the beginning range range
1
2
3
……

First, we determine the operating point of the open-circuit battery (work at idle - this is the
first data point). Then, set and keep const discharge current equal 1,2 A. Observe and note in Table 1
the time, voltage and current parameters every 30 seconds. Do discharge process up to 1,6 V/cell (4,8
V on the output of battery) or 30 minutes. Finally, disconnect circuit.

Charge process

1. Prior to testing, connect the system according to Scheme 2 (below).

2. Measure the current and voltage in the system. The measurements we note in Table 2.
Do measure with the greatest possible accurancy (set the correct range in the meters)!
 Table 2
Discharge process

Time from Amperemeter Voltmeter

I [A] V [V]
the beginning range range
1
2
3
……

Constant current charging process

First, we determine the operating point of the open-circuit battery (work at idle - this is the
first data point). Then, use the laboratory adapter and set charge current equal 1,2 A. Try to keep const
this value. Observe and note in Table 2 the time, voltage and current parameters every 30 seconds. Do
charge process up to 2,4 V/cell (7,2 V on the output of battery) or 35 minutes. Still observe tube for
discharging gas. Note gassing voltage.

Constant voltage charging process

After finish constant current charging process, use the laboratory adapter and set charge voltage equal
2,3 V/cell (6,69 V on the output of battery). Try to keep const this value, observe charge current.
Observe and note in Table 2 the time, voltage and current parameters. Finally, disconnect circuit.

How to prepare the report?

1. Use and fill the following table (Do not fill cells with Italics and underlines):

Warsaw University of Technology

Electrical Faculty
Institute of Electrical Power Engineering
Subject (full course name from iSod); academic year:
1DA2103:A – Energy Conversions, Laboratory; 2013
Students: Exercise topic:
1. …………………………………………
2. …………………………………………
3. …………………………………………
4. …………………………………………
5. …………………………………………
6. …………………………………………
Date of report Date of report Teacher’s comments:
execution: acceptance:

Teacher: Grade and teacher’s

signature:

2. Based on the parameters from tables calculate charging energy, discharging energy, cycle
efficiency (find appropriate formulas)
3. Remove the characteristic I, U, E = f (Time) using the results obtained (from table 1 and 2).
For each process, characteristics present in one graph. Mark the gassing voltage.
4. Write the conclusions. Describe the gassing process for lead acid battery.