[RE-wrenches] Strings and series of batteries

[R Ray Walters]

I've seen that leakage to ground on almost all flooded cell batteries. A battery expert told me it was a fine mist of battery acid that clanged to the case of the battery and caused this few milliamps of short.
The only systems I've seen that didn't have this were either very new/ clean batteries or sealed.

R. Walters
ray at solarray.com
Solar Engineer




On Dec 2, 2009, at 7:43 PM, Joel Davidson wrote:

> Dust and dirt get stuck to Vaseline, grease and other sticky substances. Some particulates contain metal that can form a conductive path from the battery terminal to the case. Test your "battery bucket" for leaks by putting one of your voltmeter lead on the terminal and the other lead on the case. Dirty car and truck batteries in damp weather often leak current.
> 
> Joel Davidson
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "R Ray Walters" <ray at solarray.com>
> To: "RE-wrenches" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 02, 2009 6:07 PM
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Strings and series of batteries
> 
> 
>> Basically I agree about the low melting point of Vaseline, but I see it as the canary in the coal mine: your batteries and connections shouldn't be getting that hot!
>> Anything over 85 degrees and the cycle life of the battery drops fast.
>> I switch to grease, when I think I might encounter higher temps (like on my car battery)
>> 
>> R. Walters
>> ray at solarray.com
>> Solar Engineer
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On Dec 2, 2009, at 6:07 PM, Windsun at wind-sun.com wrote:
>> 
>>> Yes, I hate Vaseline - it has a melting point of around 105 deg F, so even a moderatly hot day will cause it to drip all over the place - except onto the terminals it is supposed to protect.
>>> 
>>> ..................................................................................................
>>> Northern Arizona Wind & Sun - Electricity From The Sun Since 1979
>>> Solar Discussion Forum: http://www.wind-sun.com/ForumVB/
>>> ..................................................................................................
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Larry Crutcher, Starlight Solar" <larry at starlightsolar.com>
>>> To: "RE-wrenches" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
>>> Sent: Wednesday, December 02, 2009 5:27 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Strings and series of batteries
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> Another YES for silicon. We have used it for years. A very thin coat will last a long time. I have seen the gooey mess for heated vaseline more than once.
>>>> 
>>>> Larry
>>>> 
>>> 
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