[RE-wrenches] Strings and series of batteries

[Chris Worcester]

This is similar to what I've been doing for a long time, I use high temp
lithium based wheel baring grease, cover all surfaces and assemble. After
18+ years my own set of IBE 2v cells looks like the day I greased them, no
corrosion. We keep a tub of this grease on the truck, and rubber gloves to
apply it with.

Sincerely,

Chris Worcester
Solar Wind Works
NABCEP Certified PV Installer
Phone: 530-582-4503
Fax: 530-582-4603
www.solarwindworks.com
chris at solarwindworks.com
"Proven Energy Solutions"

-----Original Message-----
From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of North Texas
Renewable Energy Inc
Sent: Wednesday, December 02, 2009 7:03 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Strings and series of batteries

Petroleum jelly does work as you say to keep oxygen away from the metal 
surfaces but its melting temperature is relatively low making it not a 
long-term solution.
A device I saw used on an industrial battery bank years ago used a solid 
brass alloy device. A small oblong plate fits over the battery post, lies 
flush on the battery case, then the battery cable is attached. A machined 
brass dome-shaped cover fits snugly over the plate and is attached with 
small set screws. A grease fitting on the top is where you squirt in special

non-corrosive 'grease' until it leaks out around the battery cable opening.
If the cable/terminal connection is good & tight the connection should not 
corrode or loosen for a decade or more. The device is no doubt pricey but 
should last for the life of the bank on a quality installation.
I have not ever seen this device advertised, or even thought about it until 
I read Dicks posting. It sounds like it's worth the investment for an 
enclosed flooded battery enclosure where fumes will accumulate.
Jim Duncan
North Texas Renewable Energy Inc
817.917.0527
ntrei at earthlink.net
www.ntrei.com
********************************

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Richard L Ratico" <Richard.L.Ratico at VALLEY.NET>
To: <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 5:00 PM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Strings and series of batteries


> Perhaps off topic, it's been said here previously by others, but is worth
> repeating, good old Vaseline, coating all exposed metal surfaces at 
> battery
> terminals, totally eliminates the corrosion issue. It's benign, 
> inexpensive and
> available everywhere.
>
> Dick
> Solarwind Electric
>
>
>
> --- You wrote:
> Yes, especially with flooded batteries where the posts are much more 
> subject to
> corrosion. I am getting too old and decrepit to get out in the field much
> anymore, but in the past I have seen complete strings basically isolated 
> by bad
> cross connections, usually (but not always) due to corrosion at the 
> terminals.
> In extreme instances I have seen cross connect cables totally gone at the
> cable/lug connection point - nothing but green powder.
>
> With multiple batteries and banks, correct cabling and connections become 
> much
> more important, because they may not show up until too late. With a single
> series string it is usually obvious if something goes bad, but with 
> multiples
> not so much. Sometimes you have no choice but to use large strings, but I 
> have
> seen installations where 60+ 42 amp-hour batteries were strung together, 
> because
> they were "cheap".
> --- end of quote ---
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