[RE-wrenches] Strings and series of batteries

[Hugh]

Just for a contrasting opinion:

I rarely use grease or vaseline unless it proves necessary.  I have 
changed out battery banks after seven years and the connectors are 
still pristine whilst dry.  I agree that sometimes there will be 
localised corrosion on battery terminals.  I find it rarely, and I 
deal with it as and when.  I might use vaseline then.  Or spray on 
some oil.  Not a big deal to be honest.  The contact resistance is 
not affected by corrosion on the outside.  Probably due to some 
moisture arriving on the terminal?  But vaseline/grease attracts 
dust, makes a big mess and mess is not nice around batteries.

Bus bars sound great, but what a hassle.  If you connect links 
between all of the positives, and links between all of the negatives, 
to parallel the battery, then the only issue is where you connect the 
charge source and/or inverter.  I have learned to connect them at 
opposite ends of the parallel links.  'Diagonally opposite' you could 
call it.  In this way the resistance is identical to each string. 
One string has a direct connection to plus.  One has a direct 
connection to minus.  All have equal number of links between them and 
the inverter.  If there is a wind turbine then I will often connect 
this to two corners and the inverter to the opposite two corners, 
making it very difficult to (both) disconnect the battery and (also) 
leave the wind turbine connected to the inverter.  This probably has 
saved a few inverters from instant death due to carelessness.
-- 
Hugh Piggott

Scoraig Wind Electric
Scotland
http://www.scoraigwind.co.uk