For all those interested, especially in response to Matthew Caulfield,
yes, I and my MIDI-controlled hybrid Fairground Organ will be at the
North Tonawanda Band Organ Rally next week.  I will be anxious to meet
all of you who attend.

I will be leaving Saturday, first to visit family in NJ, NY, and Conn.
Then I will make my way north to the wilds of New York.

Storage Battery problem(?)

I just did something very stupid last night that might have an effect
on the operation of my organ.  As some of you know, there will be no
electricity available at the rally.  That did not concern me because I
use a 800 amp marine battery and a 600 watt inverter to power the organ
during parades and such.  But last night, just to be sure my battery
was in top shape, I added distilled water to the cells. I did this
because I felt the liquid level was alwaysl low from the first.
Although the plates were not showing, the level was quite a bit below
the fill holes.  The battery has been on a Sears deep cycle charger all
winter and spring.  The specific gravity was up to 'full charge'.On
full charge, I can usually get 3-4 hours or running time on the organ.
In order to have the organ run over that time, I was hoping some Band
Organ owner with a portable generator would be kind unought to let me
use some of his electricity to charge the battery as the organ played.
(The organ takes about 500 watts at 120v). I wouldn't want to run the
computer-type components on an unregulated gasoline generator, right?

The first cell I added the water to took 8 ounces and then another 8
ounces.  When I checked the SG it was down to 1/2 charge.  I knew
that!  I then added 4 ounces to each of the other cells, bringing down
the SG to 3/4 charge. WHAT A DUMB THING TO DO!  I should have known
better.  What to do now?

Do I drain some out and add battery acid?  I'll have to buy a full
container of acid even if I only use a few ounces.  Anyone in the group
have experience with storage batteries?

Andy LaTorre
Orgue Mecanique