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- From: mikeb@nowaksg.chem.nd.edu (Michael George Buening)
- Newsgroups: rec.autos.tech
- Subject: Re: Battery Technology for EVs
- Keywords: EDTA battery
- Message-ID: <1992Sep4.191036.26241@news.nd.edu>
- Date: 4 Sep 92 19:10:36 GMT
- References: <715158073.F00003@blkcat.UUCP> <c+hnrma@dixie.com> <1992Aug31.104957.8281@en.ecn.purdue.edu>
- Sender: news@news.nd.edu (USENET News System)
- Organization: University of Notre Dame
- Lines: 50
-
- In article <1992Aug31.104957.8281@en.ecn.purdue.edu> ghg@en.ecn.purdue.edu (George Goble) writes:
- >In article <c+hnrma@dixie.com> jgd@dixie.com (John De Armond) writes:
- >>Frank.Mallory@f417.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Frank Mallory) writes:
- >>
- >>
- >>>The same thing occurred to me. I've been trying to get some EDTA for some time
- >>>now.
- >>
- >>Assuming EDTA is Ethylene Diamine Tetraacetic Acid, it's as easy as a
- >>call to a couple of sources. Fisher Scientific has Reagent grade EDTA
- >>for $22 per 500g. Minimum order is $100 and they're pricks to deal with
- >>unless you're Fortune 500, Big Governemnt or Big Education. The second
- >>source is Strem Chemicals. This is a delightful little company to deal
- >>wtih and they have EVERYTHING. Their price is $39 per 500g or $10.50
- >>per 100g. (These guys have BuckyBalls and a variety of high temperature
- >>superconductor materials.) Tel 508 462 3191.
- >>
- >>Before ordering, you should know that there are alkali metal compounds
- >>of EDTA. You really need to know whether the magic battery goop is
- >>pure EDT acid or one of these compounds. The compounds are lots cheaper
- >>so there is financial incentive too.
- >>
- >>If you're really serious and figure out which compound you need and cannot
- >>order any other way, contact me. I have accounts with both companies.
- >>
- >>John
- >
- >EDTA won't fix dead or shorted cells, but it can sometimes help badly
- >sulfated cells. Home Power magazine reports no ill effects anyhow.
- >They reccommend using about 1 tablespoon per 1 qt of electrolyte.
- >First dissolve it in a small amount of distilled H2O, then add that to the
- >battery. It doen't dissolve in acid very well.
- >
- >You can credit card order EDTA from Trailhead supply, 801-225-3931.
- >It is 10/lb, postpaid. It is a white powder, also called tetrasodium salt.
- >I haven't used any, but got some and gave it to a friend with an electric
- >tractor (7-year old battery).. It greatly improved the weak cells for him
- >--ghg
-
- You *must* make sure what form you want. First you say you buy EDTA and
- then you say it is also called tetrasodium salt. Although I am not sure
- what function the EDTA is performing in a "badly sulfated" cell but if you
- need the tetrasodium salt then you had better ask for it specifically. The
- Free acid will most likely not like the acid of the battery at all. The
- sodium salt will ionize in water and then can be added to the battery in
- small amounts without the risk of precipitation. Can anyone out there tell
- me what the EDTA(Na4) is actually doing in the battery?
-
- --Michael Buening
- internet:mikeb@nowaksg.chem.nd.edu
-