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Album: German Submarines
Image: 189 / 473
Date: 2010-04-15 15:35:38
Tags: Bremerhaven, Germany, Submarines, Type XXI, U 2540

Accumulator cell

The battery system for the propulsion of this submarine under water consisted of 6 x 62 = 372 cells positioned in two decks below the floor in the accumulator rooms. Each cell weighed 620 kg, i.e. the battery system had a weight of 230 tons.

Structure of an accumulator cell

The cell box was made of ebonite and so robust that the filled cel could be transported. Each cell housing contained 2 plate structures made of lead which were either positive (+) or negative (-). For current output the plate structures were connected through a terminal with 3 lead poles which went through the housing cover. Cast in each lead pole was a threated fitting made of brass in order to connect the individual cells with each other. The cells were numbered continuously from 1 to 372. The displayed cell bears the number 356.

Performance

With the battery system the submarine proceeded at top speed with 5,000 hp 1 hour 8 minutes under water with a speed of 17.5 kn = 32 km/h, Output 6267 Ah (ampere hours);
at reduced speed the boat was able to proceed under wataer for up to 50 hours, i.e. more than 2 days, Output 12150 Ah.

Manufacturer
Varta Batterie AG, Hagen.