Jack.Barker@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Jack Barker) (01/09/91)
Index Number: 12710
[This is from the Advocacy Conference]
While eating lunch yesterday with a friend at the Golden Arches
(McDonalds), he mentioned that the batteries in his wheelchair were going
bad. Jim had called a company to check on prices and was told he would
have to pay for the batteries plus a 50 dollar installation charge up
front and they would send the paper work to Medicade. He had decided to
buy the batteries elsewhere and get one of his friends to install them,
but didn't know what model number to ask for on the phone. I was going
to check for him, but got distracted when we returned to his home and
forgot.
Today, while returning from an appointment, I remembered Jim's
batteries and dropped in. After getting the battery number, I popped the
caps to check the water level. All 12 cells (2 batteries) were completely
dry in these MAINTENANCE FREE batteries. I put in between 2 1/2 and 3 qts.
of water into these MAINTENANCE FREE batteries. MAINTENANCE FREE, my
patunia!
Jim was told by his dealer that he NEVER had to check the water in
his MAINTENANCE FREE batteries. Maintenance Free batteries are nothing but
a SCAM by the manufactuers and those who sell them. If batteries are not
maintained properly, they will go bad prematurely and more batteries can
be sold. When Jim's dealer told him that he didn't have to check his
water, he was being taken advantage of. This situation makes me ANGRY AS
HELL! ***** CHECK YOUR BATTERY WATER ***** irregardless of what anybody
may tell you otherwise!
***** WARNING ***** CAUTION ***** WARNING *****
When your battery is being checked or recharged, keep it away from
flames and sparks and don't smoke! Lead acid batteries produce hydrogen
gas while being charged and there might be some lingering around between
rechargings. Also, if you use a rag to wipe up any spilled water on top
of the battery, use one that can be thrown away and wash your hands.
Sulfuric acid (in an invisible form) collects over time on and around
lead acid batteries. Use ONLY distilled water in your battery.
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!89.0!Jack.Barker
Internet: Jack.Barker@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.orgTom.Rutherford@f176.n2240.z1.fidonet.org (Tom Rutherford) (01/23/91)
Index Number: 13147
JB>
JB> While eating lunch yesterday with a friend at the Golden
JB> Arches (McDonalds), he mentioned that the batteries in his
JB> wheelchair were going bad. Jim had called a company to check on
JB> prices and was told he would have to pay for the batteries plus a
JB> 50 dollar installation charge up front and they would send the
JB> paper work to Medicade. He had decided to buy the batteries
JB> elsewhere and get one of his friends to install them, but didn't
JB> know what model number to ask for on the phone. I was going to
JB> check for him, but got distracted when we returned to his home
JB> and forgot.
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
JB> Today, while returning from an appointment, I remembered Jim's
JB> batteries and dropped in. After getting the battery number, I
JB> popped the caps to check the water level. All 12 cells (2
JB> batteries) were completely dry in these MAINTENANCE FREE
JB> batteries. I put in between 2 1/2 and 3 qts. of water into these
JB> MAINTENANCE FREE batteries. MAINTENANCE FREE, my patunia!
JB>
JB> Jim was told by his dealer that he NEVER had to check the
JB> water in his MAINTENANCE FREE batteries. Maintenance Free
JB> batteries are nothing but a SCAM by the manufactuers and those
JB> who sell them. If batteries are not maintained properly, they
JB> will go bad prematurely and more batteries can be sold. When
JB> Jim's dealer told him that he didn't have to check his water, he
JB> was being taken advantage of. This situation makes me ANGRY AS
JB> HELL! ***** CHECK YOUR BATTERY WATER ***** irregardless of what
JB> anybody may tell you otherwise!
There is such a thing as maintenance-free batteries, but evidently, your
friend didn't get 'em. If they had removable caps, they weren't
maintenance-free, obviously. I'd say that your friend should find the
receipts where he bought those things, any literature on them, etc.,
etc., and take it all to the District Attorney's office in your city.
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