Progress in the development of a silver-iron communications battery

Tests were completed on a 8 Ah, 12 V silver-iron experimental battery designed for the performance requirements of a radio pack. Common operating constraints for communications batteries, such as maintenance-free operation, were considered in the design. The need for high capacity, rechargeability, and cyclic stability was assumed. Results show that the silver-iron battery can be operated maintenance-free for over 20 cycles with negligible degradation in capacity or voltage. During operation the battery was tilted and inverted but no free electrolyte was observed. Any decline in capacity past 20 cycles of operation was immediately recovered with the addition of water at cycle 25. The data indicate that careful control of the charge and discharge procedures could extend maintenance-free operation beyond 20 cycles. The discussion concludes with a review of several design modifications which are underway to eliminate the need for maintenance entirely