Paul's how NOT to convert a Metro

[watt-a-mezz]

Good job with the foam rubber. They should stay warm after charging
for quite some time. Have a bunch from redoing cushions for a camper,
I think I wil try that. Watt

[MetroMPG]

Any news, Paul?

I'm wondering how much of a difference it made without them being fully mummified.

[vpoppv]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Any news, Paul?

I'm wondering how much of a difference it made without them being fully mummified.

LOL! Mummified! Well, to be honest, I can't tell any difference because I think I killed one of my batteries.
I have been having some horrible, dirty, nasty thoughts of replacing it with a NEW one! I quickly snap out of it though, and realize that only ONE new battery is a bad idea- but it's Christmas break now and the car is getting some well deserved rest for 2 weeks. What happened before the break though is that I was beginning to sense that I wasn't getting quite the performance I used to get- like my max speed was closer to 24 mph instead of 25mph; also, accelleration seemed to be a little worse. I finally got around to checking my batteries AFTER a charge and one of the batteries was at 10 volts I know, I know, I'm a murderer of the most leaded kind,and I have no one to blame but myself for not having an ammeter hooked up, or having any kind of BMS.....But in my defense, I have more important things to do: I am re-reading Paul's controller thread, and I am at page 65.....
And in closing this long, meandering, useless post (hey, I've been home sick for 5 days...), I really DO think that the remaining live batteries appreciate the winter clothing, as they tend to show a higher resting voltage "cold", but with that dead battery in the pack, it's hard to tell overall, as I think the live ones give a little of their juice to keep the dead one on life support- or something like that.....

[MetroMPG]

You're making me think I should mummify my batteries... But it's the same kind of feeling I get when I read testimonials about K&N air filters... I know rationally it probably won't help my situation (don't cycle the batteries enough to keep them warm), but part of me wants to try it anyway because I'm a sucker for a magic bullet or a quick fix, just like countless others.

Thanks for the update. Get well!

[vpoppv]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

You're making me think I should mummify my batteries... But it's the same kind of feeling I get when I read testimonials about K&N air filters... I know rationally it probably won't help my situation (don't cycle the batteries enough to keep them warm), but part of me wants to try it anyway because I'm a sucker for a magic bullet or a quick fix, just like countless others.

Thanks for the update. Get well!

Hey wait a minute! YOU were the one telling ME I should do this, and you haven't done yours??
The way I see it, the foam was free, and my time is cheap. I will say this: my batteries won't be hurt by it, and the foam isn't taking up room in my garage.....
And thanks for wishing me getting better I've had some stupid stomach bug going on 5 days, and what do I do? Yup, went to an all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet. That's ok though because I made up for it by spending the evening ice skating. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right? Oh, that reminds me! The Zamboni was an electric EZGO golf cart!!!! Man, I see electric vehicles everywhere I go now.....

[vpoppv]

Oh, and I forgot to mention that I got a couple of those LED bulb replacements for the parking lights (those two corner marker lights next to the headlights) for 99c from China (that's including shipping!?) and I have to say I am very happy with them. That's ~10 watts more energy anyway; every bit helps when your batteries cost less than a fill up for an Excursion.....Whoa, I never thought about it that way! cool!

[TheSGC]

It sounds like that battery has wondered into the world of sulfation. Have you replaced it yet? And are you charging it with 12 AMPs(?) or at another setting?
Or for that matter, checked the water levels of the cells?

I am curious on how it failed, or how it was killed.

[vpoppv]

Originally Posted by TheSGC

It sounds like that battery has wondered into the world of sulfation. Have you replaced it yet? And are you charging it with 12 AMPs(?) or at another setting?
Or for that matter, checked the water levels of the cells?

I am curious on how it failed, or how it was killed.

I haven't replaced it. It always showed good voltage, and the hygrometer (sp??) showed "fully charged" equally on all cells when I first got it (after it's first charge), but volume was low in 2 cells. Here's where I think I killed it: I topped off the two cells with some battery acid from another battery instead of using good ole' distilled H2O. What was I thinking? I have no idea. I suppose I was teaching myself yet one more way one can murder a battery: I'm getting quite skilled at that. But anyway, it never finished charging after I did that; so I would just stop charging that battery when all the others in the pack were done charging. It was fine that way for a while until it got cold. I am guessing it was doing ok but that the extra recharging time the OTHER batteries needed because of the cold made me overcharge it. I really have no way of knowing as I am SOOOO bad at checking things and logging stuff. I just get in my car and go, and say "screw the batteries". Now that we are on break, I took the desulfator off of the lowest battery and put it on this one, and I have the trickle charger on it (I gave it a regular 12 amp charge with the other batteries last week, and a 12 amp top-off about 4 days later). I have my doubts this will work, but I won't know until I try. I think I'm being so lazy with my battery cruelty because of the fact that I can turn them in for scrap, but I bet if I paid good money for them I would be more careful. At least I can tell myself that....

[vpoppv]

E-Sandra wants to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!!!

[MetroMPG]

Thanks Paul - ForkenSwift returns the sentiment!

I used it to go buy a last minute present this morning. (And... good thing I had a perky fresh charge when I did - I had to put the boots to it more than normal so as not to enrage the busier than normal traffic.)