Image

Battery Test

October 22, 2013

In the Alvin High Bay, the yellow-knobbed battery cells that power the human-occupied submersible, Alvin, undergo testing. Drew McCabe, a biology major at Roger Williams University and son of WHOI mechanic shop supervisor Bob McCabe, volunteers during his school breaks. He recorded each battery cell’s voltage over a service charge and discharge cycle during Phase 1 of the submersible’s upgrade. In the second phase of the upgrade, the batteries will be replaced with newer, lighter cells that will extend the submersible’s dive duration from 6-10 hours to 8-12 hours.(Photo by Tom Kleindinst, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)