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FOR OFFICIAL USE ONL~

File D 52.41/Liberty/225

AIR SERVICE INFORMATION CIRCULAR

(AVIATION)

PUBLISHED BY THE CHIEF OF AIR SERVICE, WASHINGTON, D. C.

Vol. IV February 15, 1922 No. 301

LIBERTY STORAGE BATTERY

ENDURANCE TEST
( POWER PLANT SECTION REPORT )

v'

Prepared by Engineering Division, Air Service

McCook Field, Day.ton, Ohio
August 19, 1921

Ralph Brown Draughon

LIBRMW

APR 2 3 2013
Non-Cepc;t;; ·y
Auburn University

WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1922

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CERTIFICATE.
J
By direction of the Secretary of War th e matter contained h erein is published as administrat ive information and
is required for the proper transaction of th e public business.
(2) J

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LIBERTY STORAGE BATTERY ENDURANCE - sT.

OBJECT. were used , wired so that the engine could be operated

The object of this test was to determine the endurance either on a regular battery or 9n the test battery. During
of the Standard Liberty engine storage battery on initial all the runs the generator was cut out of the circuit, the
charge and on recharge, operating both distributors and current for ignition being furnish ed by. the batteries alone.
operating one distributor, new, properly charged "Exide" Ammeters and voltmeters were placed in the circuit so
batteries being used. that the condition of the batter y could be observed.
After warming up the engine on the regular battery, the
RESULTS. full throttle engine speed with distributors operating
The results of the tests are given in condensed form in separately and together, was taken at the beginning of the
the following table: runs, first using a regular Liberty battery in ·good condi-
tion and then the test battery. The throttle was then set
to give an engine-propeller speed of 1,500 re volutions per
Time. Voltage. Amperes.
minute (corresponding to the usual cruising engine speed )
and the run continued on the test battery until it was
To endTo
Battery. first
necessary to stop the engine due to irregular running, the
miss of Start. First End First End
of Start. miss. of time of the firnt miss being carefully noted. Readings of
test
hr./ hr./ miss. test. test.
1nin. min. the current and voltage supplied by the test battery or
batteries, in addition to the regular readings of brake
-------- ---- -- -
load, revolutions per minute, water temperaturns, oil
A. First charge,
operating both temperatures, and oil pressure, were taken every 15
distributor heads. 3.39 4.07 8.2 5.12 4.4 . 1.3
r B. First charge,
operating both
distributor heads. 2.00 3.26 8.1 6.30 4.85 1.5
1. 7

2.1
1. 45 minutes. By switching to the regular Liberty battery,

1. 6
it could be determined whether or not irregularities in the
A. Recharge, oper- running were due to the condition of the test battery.
ating both dis- Before each run the spark plug and breaker gaps were
tributor heads.... 3.14 3.36 8. 15 5. 20 4. 25 1. 2 · 1.6 1. 3
B. Recharge, oper- checked and set to 0.015 inches and 0.020 inches, respec-
ating both dis-
tributor beads. . .. 3.54 4.00 8.25 ' 5.80 4.50 1. 3 1. 8 1. 4 tively.
C. First charge, RESULTS OF TESTS .
operating left
head .... . .....• .. 9.36 10. 35 8. 25 5.40 4. 75 1. 35 . 76 . 75
D. First char~, The results of the test are shown in condensed form in
operating rig t the preceding table, and the readings taken are shown
head .. ... ..... ... 9.36 10.35 8.25
4.ss \ 3.20 . 76 1. 55
.50
on pages 4 and 5. There seems to be little difference
as regards endurance between the first charge and the
Tests stopped when operation became so irregular as recharge of the batteries tested. When operating 1: oth
to endanger the engine. distributors with one battery, the missing started when
CONCLUSip NS. the voltage had dropped to an average value of 5.6 volts,
and the operation became too irregular to continue when
The test shows little difference in endurance between the voltage had dropped to an average value of 4.5
the first charge and the recharge of the Liberty battery. volts. With separate batteries operating eac h distributor,
Operating a single distributor, the endurance of the battery the first missing occurred when the voltage had dropped
is about 170 per cent greater than when operating both to 5.15 volts and it was necessary to stop the engine
distributors. when the voltage had dropped to an average of 4 volts.
METHOD OF TEST. When operating a single distributor the battery lasted
The batteries tested were new "Exide" Standard about 170 per cent longer than when operating two
Liberty storage batteries, made by the United Storage distributors and functioned when the voltage had dropp ed
Battery Co., P hiladelphia. The batteries were taken considerably lower. ·
from storage and properly charged to full capacity before These results apply only to batteries in first-class con-
test. dition and fully charged. The endurance of the average
A Standard Liberty 12-cylinder engine mounted on a battery in service will be much less than that obtained
torque stand was used for this test. Double throw switches during this test.
87666-22 (3)
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Battery endurance test. RUN No. 2.-TEST BATTERY "B" (FIRST CHARGE).

.RUN No. 1.-TEST BATTERY "A" (FIRST CHARGE). Battery operating both distributors •

Battery operating both distributors.

Revolu-
Time. tlon per Corr. H.P. Volts. Amperes.
Revolu- minute,
Time . tion per both heads.
minute, Corr.H.P. Volts. Amperes.
both heads. -
- - - - -- - · 8.45 11,625 400.6 8. 1 1. 50
8.47 2 1.630 403.2 8. 1 1. 45
8.30 1 1,630 4ll. 2 8.2 1. 3 8.49 3 1;650 421. 6 8.0 2. 75
8.32
8. 34
8.36
:1;}·~28
4 551
408.6
419.1
317. 4
8. 1
8.0
7.9
1. 5
2.6
2. 7
8.51 1,483 299.8 7.9 2. 7 8. 51 stopped to install champion plugs.
9.06 1,480 299. 2 7. 9 2. 7

I
9.21 ····- -- --- 7. 8 2. 7

Stopped 9.22; motor missing: plugs fouled, No. 6 left ; r e placed all A.C.
9.10 [
i:~g I ~·.:~
'1,500 298. 21
~ -~
8.00
7.90
7.85
I 2. 75
2. 70
2. 70
plugs with champion plugs.

9. 48 stopped, fouled plug in No. 6 R. cylinder . .

9.50 1, 493 304. 2 7.8 2. 70
10.05 1,492 301. 6 7.8 2. 70
10.20 1,490 29S.8 7.8 2. 70
10. 35 1,495 302.1 7. 7 2.65 9.55 1, 508 301.1 7. 80 2. 70
10.50 1,498 299.1 7.65 2.65 10.10 1,506 299.4 7. 70 2. 70
10. 25 1, 511 298.0 7. 55 2.60
11.05
11. 20
11.35
11. 50
1, 504
1,500
1,502
1,501
304. 0
302.0
301.1
299. 8
7.60
7.50
7.45
7.25
2.60
2. 60
2. 55
2.50
10. 40
10. 55
11.10
. 1 506
1;498
1,490
302. 0
294.1
291.3
7.25
6. 70
6.30
2.45
2. 25
2.10
12. 05 1,504 301. 5 7.20 2.45
12. 20 1,494 293.3 6.60 2. 30
12.35 1,453 277.0 5.12 1. 70 First missing at 11. 11, No. 6 R .

First missing a t 12.37. 11. 25 1,482 277.6 5.95 1. 80

11. 40 1,484 275.4 5.65 1. 80

12.50
1.05
I 4.80
4.40
1. 60
1. 45
11. 55
12.10
12. 25
1,476
1,468
··---
274. 1
265.3
---- ·
5.45
5. 20
4. 8.;
1.80
1. 75
1. 60

Stopped 1.05, operation became too irregula r. Stopped 12. 37.

Time to first miss, 3 hours. 39 minutes: time to end of test 4 hours 7
minutes; revolutions per minute at start on standard cells, fud throttle--
left distributor, 1,640; right distributor, 1,030; both distributors, 1,645.
1 Operating on left distributor only, full throttle.
, Operating on right distributor only, full throttle.
, Operating on both distributors, lull throttle.
• From this point on engine ran with throttle set to give approximately
1,500 revolutions per minute.
Time to first miss, 2 hours; time to end of test, 3 hours 26 minutes;
revolutions per minute at start on standa rd cells, full throttle-le.ft dis-
tributor, 1,640; right distributor, 1,635; both distributors, 1,650.
1 Operating on left distributor only, lull thrott;e .
2 Ope.rating on right distributor only, full throttle.
' Operating on both distributors, full throttle.
• From this point on engine ran with throttle set to give approximately
1,500 rev olutions per 1ninute.
 5
RUN No. 3.-TEST BATTERY "A" (RECHARGED). RUN No. 5.-TEST BATTERIES "C" AND "D'' (FIRS'!'
Batter y operating b oth distributors. CHARGE).
Batteries operating separate distributors.
Revolu-
Time. tions per Cor r.H.P. Volts. Amperes. Test battery Test battery.
minute,
both h eads Revolu- "D," right "C/' left
tions rer distributor. distributor.
Time. minu e, Corr.
8.45 both H.P.
11 660 413.0 8. 15 1. 2
8.47 ' 1;650 413.3 8. 15 1. 2 heads.
Volts. Am- Volts. Am-
8. 49 3 1,675 430.5 8.00 2.2 peres. peres.
- - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - -- - - -
8.51 st opped to inst a ll champion plugs. 8.30 1 1, 655 401.0 ·· 8.
··-- --- -·
-- ---1.55 8.25 1.35
8.32
8.34
' 1,665
a 1,685
404.8
423.5 8.20
25
1.45
·· ··- · ------·
·· 8.20 I. 35
-
9. 10 • 1,506 298.0 8. 0 2.40
9. 25 1, 504 296.0 8. 0 2.40
9.40 1,504 296.0 7. 95 2.40
9.55 1, 506 300.2 8.36 stopped to install champion spark plugs.
7. 90 2.35
10.10 1,503 300. 9 7.85 2.30
10. 25 1, 503 296.0 7. 80 2.30
10.40 1,498 296. 3 7. 75 2.30 8.55 • 1, 505 277. 8 8.25 1. 50 8. 20 1.40
10. 55 1,505 296.4 7. 70 2.30 9.10 1,506 280.4 8.20 1.45 8.20 1. 35
11.10 1, ,511 29() . 4 7.65 2. 30 9.25 1,503 282.4 8.20 1.45 8.15 1.35
11. 25 1,506 300.4 7. 5.5 2.30 9.40 1,506 280.3 8. 20 1.45 8.15 1. 35
11. 40 1, 505 297.6 7. 45 2. 30 9.55 1, 506 283.1 8. 20 1.45 8.15 1.35
11. 55 1, 502 295. 8 7.25 2.25 10.10 1,506 283.1 8.20 1.45 8. 15 1.35
12. 10 1,495 293. 4 6. 25 1. 80 10.25 1,507 280.8 8.20 1.40 8. 10 1.30
12. 25. 1,398 264. 9 5. 20 1. 60 10.40 1,506 283. 1 8. 15 1. 40 8.10 1.30
10.55 1,498 278. 9 8. 15 1.40 8. 10 1.30
11.10 1,504 278.8 8.10 1. 40 8.05 1.30
F irst missing at 12.18 number 6L . 11.25 1,501 279.6 8. 10 1.40 8. 05 1. 30
11.40 1,502 282. 1 8.05 1.40 8.00 1. 30
11.55 1, 506 281. 8 8. 05 1.40 8.00 1.30
1 12. 40 !··········+·.......··I 4. 25 1. 30 12.10
12.25
12.40
1,499
1,500
1,510
282.8
281.8
281.2
8.00
8.00
8.00
1. 40
1. 40
1.35
8.00
7.95
7.90
1.30
1.30
1.25
Stopped at 12.40. 12.55 1, 512 283. 3 7. 95 1.35 7.90 1.25
1.10 1,506 283.5 7. 90 1. 35 7.85 1.25
Time to first miss, 3 hours 14 minutes; time to end of test, 3 hours 1.25 I 502 280.2 7. 90 1.35 7.85 1.25
3S minutes; revolution s per minute at sta rt on standard cells, full 1.40 1; 502 282.6 7.85 1.35 7.80 1.25
throttle-left distributor, 1,665; right distributor, 1,655; both distribu- 1.55 1,499 283.3 7.85 1.35 7. 75 1.25
tors 1670. 2.10 1, 494 278.6 7.80 1.35 7.65 1.25
1 Operating on left distributor only , full throttle.
2.25 1,498 282. 0 7.80 1.35 7. 65 1. 25
' Operating on ri ght distributor only , full throttle. 2.40 1,496 284. 0 7.75 I. 35 7.50 1.25
' Operating on both distribu tors, full throttle. 2.55 1, 495 287.5 7.65 1.35 6.50 1. 10
• From t his point on engine ran wit h throttle set to give approximately 3.10 1,496 292.8 7.65 1.35 6.30 1.00
1,500 re volutions per minu te. 3.25 1,498 294.3 7.65 1. 30 6.10 .95

r RU N N o. 4.-TEST BAT'f E R Y "B" (RECHARGED).

Ba ttery operating both d istributors.
3.40
3.55
4.10
4.25
1, 500
1, 504
1,498
1, 499
297.1
297.8
294.2
299.4
7.60
7. 55
7.50
7. 45
1. 30
1.30
1. 30
1. 30
5.95
5.80
5.75
5. 70
. 90
.90
.85
. 85
4.40 1,505 306. 9 7. 38 1.30 5.65 .80
4.55 1,509 307.6 6.60 1. 15 5.60 .80
Rev olu- 5.10 1, 519 309.6 6.10 1.10 5.60 . 80
Time. tions per Corr. H.P. 5.25 1,507 302.4 6.00 1.00 5.58 .80
minute, Volts. Amperes.
5.40 1,506 309.6 5. 75 .90 5. 53 .80
both heads 5.55 1,504 301. 7 5.50 .so 5.50 . 80
6.10 1,498 305.4 5. 20 .so 5.42 . 80
6.25 1,500 303.4 4.88 . 76 5.40 • 76
9. 10 1 1,660 401. 0 8. 25 1. 30
9. 12 21,660 401.0 8.25 1. 30
9.14 3 1, 670 418.5 8.10 2.45 First miss at 6.25.

9.lG stopped to install champion plugs.

6.40 1,493 292. 0 4.30 o. 70 5.38 o. 76
6.55 1,487 306.8 3.55 .55 5.31 • 76
9.35 4 1, 495 287.0 8. 10 ' 2.60 7.10 3.40 .50 5.20 .76
9.50 1 500 290.5 8. 00 2.60 7.24 3.20 .50 4. 75 .75
10.05 1; 512 289.1 8.00 2.50
10.20 1,503
10. 35
10. 50
1, 502
1, 500
284.9
285. 9
288.0
7. 95
7.90
7. 85
I 2.45
2.45
2.45
Stopped at 7.24.
11. 05 1,493 283.0 7.80 2.45 Time to first miss, 9 hours 36 minutes; time to end of test, 10 hours 35
11. 20 1, 495 287.4 7. 75 2.45 minutes.
11. 35 1,505 291..5 7. 65 2.40 Revolutions per minute at start on standard cells, full throttle: Left
11. 50 1, 513 295.5 7.60 2.40 distributor, 1,655; right distributor, 1,665; both distributors, 1,690.
12.05 1, 512 292. 8 7.55 2.40 1 Operating on left distributor only! full throttle.
12. 20 1,506 289. 2 7.45 2.35 • Operating on right distributor on y, full throttle.
12. 35 1, 510 288. 7 7. 35 2. 30 a Operating on both distributors, full throttle.
12. 50 1,495 283.3 7. 20 2. 30 • From this point on engine ra n with throttle set to give approximately
1. 05 l, 500 288.0 7.00 2. 25 1,500 revolutions per minute.
......... .. ····-· -- ---
1. 20 5.80
I 1. 80

F irst missing a t 1.23 number BR .

1.
29
I···········/···· ·······I 4, .'iO I 1. 40 I
Stopped 1.29.
Time to first miss, 3 hours 54 minutes; time to end of t est, 4 hours;
revolutions per minute at start on standard cells, full throttle-left
distribu tor, 1,660; right distributor, 1,665; both distributors, 1,675.
1 Operating on left dist ributor only, full throttle.
' Operating on right distributor only, full throttle.
' Opera tin!( on both distributors, full throttle.
• From this point on engine ran with throttle set to give approxi-
mately 1,500 revolutions per minute. ·

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