----- Original Message -----
From: "Cory Papenfuss"
Subject: Re: Power supply
I would like to also add one more thing about lead acid. They're quite
inexpensive and have good power density and reasonable energy density (per
volume anyway... they're plenty heavy). Unlike NiMH and NiCd, however,
you CANNOT leave them dead for any length of time. When they're
completely dead, compounds precipitate out of "solution" and prematurely
kill the battery.... it only takes a day or so to kill one if left dead.
My Metz flash uses a 6 volt gel cell, essentially a lead acid battery that
can be tipped over.
I am not really good about maintenance, but I do make sure I top the
batteries off a few times a year if they are sitting idle.
My oldest battery, bought in Feb, 1986, finally gave up the ghost last year.
I was pretty impressed by the life span of the battery.
William Robb
