Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

1. What are HYDROCAPS? HYDROCAPS are a catalyst battery cap designed to replace the conventional vent cap on a lead-acid or alkaline battery.
2. How does a Hydrocap function? By catalytic action it recombines battery evolved hydrogen and oxygen gases. The resultant water vapor is condensed and returned to the battery cell. The catalyst in our CATYLATORS is never consumed.
   
3. How to service? The recombining action eliminates the explosive hydrogen gas threat. The condensing effect returns distilled water to the battery cell.
4. What is battery gassing? Batteries gas continually. The rate is minimal until the charging process has restored the battery to capacity. On overcharge, the gassing rate is a predictable 25.5 to 27 cubic inches of hydrogen-oxygen per cell per hour per ampere of overcharge.
5. Will a large battery gas more than a small one? No. A 60 ampere-hour battery will produce as much hydrogen-oxygen as a 6,000 ampere-hour battery under the same overcharge conditions.
6. Why should I use them?
   1. The water return saves on maintenance. The Return is pure water. The normal watering cycle is extended 4 to 10 times. If you service your batteries once a week, HYDROCAPS will extend this to once a month, bi-monthly, or even longer. An Atomic Energy Facility reports “once a year”.
   2. Normally, Over a period of time, battery water is lost, and too often it is replaced with tap water. The repeated refills result in a build-up of mineral matter which eventually contaminates the battery active materials. The replacement should be distilled water. HYDROCAPS do this automatically.
   3. Batteries under charge, and gassing, exude acid smog. The acid deposits on terminals, connectors, wiring and the top of the cell. In addition to its corrosive effect, it conducts current which bleeds off battery capacity. HYDROCAP traps this smog and the condensing action flushes the acid back into the cell.
   4. Elimination of the hydrogen explosion hazard is mandatory under OSHA regulations. In most applications, the catalyst battery cap is an acceptable alternate to the required ventilation.
   5. They extend your batteries useful life.
7. What warranty is provided for HYDROCAPS? One year on materials and workmanship. Abuse is not covered.
8. How long is a HYDROCAPS life? Operating experience indicates 16,000 to more than 30,000 ampere-hours of battery overcharge. In normal application this should be 5 years. Instances of record show HYDROCAPS operating after more than 10 years.
9. Does catalytic activity deteriorate? Chemical activity after the first 16,000 to 20,000 ampere-hours would normally lose 15% to 20% capacity. To offset a decline and insure proper activity, the reliability factor is 15 to 1. Meaning: The reactive catalyst surface area provided is 15 times the area required for normal activity.
10. Where are HYDROCAPS used?
    1. Primarily in industrial applications. Battery rooms in industry, communications and grid switching stations.
    2. Power plants, nuclear laboratories and AEC operating facilities and battery-powered vehicles.
    3. Undersea equipment such as commercial or private submarines, battery-powered photographic equipment, and remote control devices.
    4. All other types of lead acid batteries applications for Golf Carts, RV’s and Boat batteries.
11. Are HYDROCAPS approved by any governmental agencies?
    1. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) accepts HYDROCAPS as an alternate to controlled ventilation.
    2. The U.S. Navy Bureau of Ordinance has utilized them in underwater missiles.
    3. The U.S. Naval Weapons Center incorporates HYDROCAPS in undersea craft.
    4. The Atomic Energy Commission specifies the catalyst cap for stand-by batteries.
12. What is HYDROCAP rating and capacity? HYDROCAPS are designed to operate in a range of overcharge best suited to battery performance and life. The conventional charger may begin the restoration of battery capacity at a high rate. When full charge is reached, internal resistance reacts to cut charger input to a few amperes. Rarely more than 10. Normally two to eight. At the moment gassing begins, the catalyst reacts to convert the hydrogen-oxygen to a water vapor.
13. Will HYDROCAPS restrict hydrogen-oxygen flow or induce concentration within the cell? Absolutely not. The A8 HYDROCAP has a water seal vent. If internal pressure reaches one pound, the seal releases. The B3 and B6 have an open top vent.
14. How may a HYDROCAP be damaged? Only by physical abuse, by excessive overcharging, or a prolonged equalization process.
    
15. How can I tell if a HYDROCAP is not working? A normally functioning HYDROCAP will be warm to the touch during overcharge, and at high overcharge rates, hot. For example, suppose we check HYDROCAPS on a bank of cells. We find one cold cap. Exchange this cap for one which is obviously operating. If the cap remains cold then the cap may be defective and should be dried out or replaced.
16. What is the HD Model HYDROCAP? Some applications require hydrogen elimination only. The HD Model catalytically recombines gases into a water vapor which is released directly into the atmosphere.
17. What is the L9? The catalyst package. In the A10 HYDROCAP, it reacts to create a water vapor which is condensed. As a separate unit, the L9 may be mounted in a battery compartment or room to enhance the safety factor. It is popular in undersea applications, wherein battery power operates cameras and equipment. To provide a high safety factor the units are supplemented with oxygen tablets to ensure an adequate supply for proper reaction with hydrogen.
18. Is HYDROCAP acceptable to Underwriters Laboratories? Yes. It has been listed by U.L. for more than 30 years as a safety component of end products using storage batteries.
19. Will HYDROCAP prevent explosion of a defective battery? Not if the explosion is triggered by an internal short above the electrolyte level. HYDROCAPS maintain this level above plates for months and tend to draw volatile hydrogen gas into the catalyst chamber, where it is denatured. If a battery has been neglected for months or years, and liquid level is low, an internal short circuit can explode the cell. HYDROCAPS automatically reduce evaporation to maintain liquid level.