The Trojan T105 batteries as of October 18, 2003 (they've since been removed and replaced). The wet-cell batteries exploded and destroyed spots of the paint on the inside of the trunk. We'll probably be replacing the 9/16" and 1/2" posts in the back (and whatever we encounter in the front) with automotive posts and automotive type connectors, but we're still researching battery options.. The batteries and contacts are labeled with numbers (those white strips) to make replacing the connections easier (an excellent idea). (note: on October 21 I purchased Interstate U2200s to replace the Trojan T105s. About the same power and size, although alittle heavier, but charged.)

An article in the February 4, 2001 Pantagraph (Bloomington, Illinois) (Smedly, Gene, News, page C4) indicated that the larger, less numerous battery array was replaced with "thirty six two-volt batteries (18 under the hood, 18 in the rear where a Dauphine's gas engine usually was housed). Engineers had found that many small batteries were more efficient than the few larger ones tried at first."

The December 2003 Austin EV meeting featured a presentation by Marc Kohler about batteries, and I've got some ideas for the Henney when I win the lottery and can easily and with a clear conscience drop several thousand dollars on one battery. Battery technology is amazing. I'm also psyched to see that the Smart Car may be coming to the states as an electric roadster-coupe (free i-pod with purchase - heheheh).

Batteries specifications

Batteries for the Henney Kilowatt (Exide and Trojan specs from correspondence dated 2 May 1997)

* I now know what "sp. gr." abbreviates. Thank you to Jeff Behlendorf and Keith Richtman. "In the battery specifications, "sp. gr." is an abbreviation for specific gravity. Which our friendly dictionary usefully describes as:
NOUN: The ratio of the mass of a solid or liquid to the mass of an equal volume of distilled water at 4°C (39°F) or of a gas to an equal volume of air or hydrogen under prescribed conditions of temperature and pressure. Also called relative density."
"Specific gravity is the only 100% accurate way of determining the state of charge of a lead-acid cell."

"The on-board charger circuitry suggests that the 72 volt charger has a maximum output of 20 amps and the 12 volt charger has a maximum output of 7.5 aps. The recharge time of the battery is dependent upon the depth of discharge or how many apere-horus of battery capacity were removed during the previous charge."

"We would really choose not to recommend modifications (to) the power or control circuits. Fusing for the porpose of circuit protection is an excellent idea. We do however strongly recommend that the batteries you select be manufactured with automotive posts and that connections are automotive type connectors. This will give the greatest contact surface area and minimize the connection resistance. Proper cable sizing is also important in minimizing connection resistance and preventing performance problems." (Drizos, Jim. "Batteries for Henney Kilowatt EV." Memorandum to James S. Day, 2 May 1997.)

The Exide batteries might have been the original ones used in the KILOWATT (based on 1961 correspondence b/w R. A. McCallum and C.H. Hohenshil and an advertisement) although a U.S. News and World Report article (1967) indicated the batteries were created by the Yardney Electric Corporation.