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I think it also had something to do with age - newer vessels (submarines, at least) use a large lead acid battery array for emergency power when needed... and b
by cobrausn 13y ago
I think it also had something to do with age - newer vessels (submarines, at least) use a large lead acid battery array for emergency power when needed... and by emergency power, I mean enough power to start the emergency diesel generator.
- mpyne 13y agoSubmarines do have a large lead-acid battery for emergency power. In fact, the WWII-era boats had bigger and better batteries. However the battery isn't there to start the Emergency Diesel Generator. Submarine EDGs are air started, for many very good reasons. We still need the batteries since it's possible to suffer a loss of all AC power while the boat is submerged far beyond feasible snorkel depth, and have to recover from it without broaching.