On 8/14/11 3:18 PM, Anthony Monteiro wrote:
I think the explanation is that the battery experienced a significant event on Aug 11 where it lost the electrolyte in one or more cells. If this is true, the bad news is that it will no longer hold a charge and will not operate in eclipse any more.
I agree with your analysis in that one or more cells seems to have gone open-circuit, or at least greatly reduced in capacity. If you know these batteries and their specific failure mechanisms, then I'd say your lost electrolyte theory is a pretty good one.
I never have understood why the dendrites would not be melted by high current as soon as they crossed the gap between the two plates. I assume they grow on the zinc plates as the battery is charged?
-Phil