THE CARE OF SELENIUM CELLS
A selenium cell will give much better service and have a longer life
if a little care is taken with it. These suggestions if followed will
prevent to a great extent irreparable damage to the cells.
Keep them cool. Do not allow them to become heated to any extent or the
gold foil will combine with the selenium to form a gold selenide and
destroy the sensitiveness of the cell. This condition will be indicated
by dark brown splotches on the face of the cell.
Use as small current values as possible to accomplish a desired result.
This demands the use of high resistance relays. Resistances may be
employed in the circuit to limit the current but a high resistant relay
is the proper solution.
Use the proper voltage as determined by the testing set.
Do not expose light sensitive cells to bright light for excessively
long periods of time. It fatigues the cell and causes it to become
insensitive temporarily.
When using generator cells do not pass a current from an outside source
thru them while lighted. This destroys temporarily the generating
powers of the cell.
Keep the cells dry. If not of the sealed type keep them in a box having
a few lumps of calcium chloride in the bottom to absorb moisture.
When not in use they should be kept in a light tight box but should be
exposed to light each day or so regardless of whether they are used or
not. This aids maturing and retains the sensitiveness of the cells.
Should their resistance drop to any great extent after continued use
it can again be raised by treating with an alternating or pulsating
current as described under treating and testing cells.
THE END