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Album: German Submarines
Image: 199 / 473
Date: 2010-04-15 15:39:26
Tags: Bremerhaven, Germany, Submarines, Type XXI, U 2540

Battery rooms

Through the cut open deck you can see one of the 3 battery rooms. Each contains 2 x 62 accumulator cells with a weight of 620 kg each which are installed on two decks and connected with each other. These cells enabled the submarine to remain submerged for 1 hour and 8 minutes at a speed of 17.2 kn. The cruising duration at silent speed under water was 50 hours. The battery has a voltage of 149 volts with an output of 6267 to 12150 Ah depending on current. The battery has to be recharged directly after being completely discharged, after partial discharge within on week. An ordinary charge starts with 2040 ampere up to 2.4 volts per accumulator cell = 149 volt per partial battery. With a constant current voltage the current is gradually reduced to 510 ampere. When a current intensity of 510 ampere and 149 volts is reached, recharging is concluded and the battery charged to capacity. Recharging takes approximately 15 to 20 hours.

Manufacturer: Varta, Hagen in Westphalia
3 partial batteries 2 x 62 cells each = 372 cells
total weight: 230 tons