<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 12 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Tahoma;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Consolas;
panose-1:2 11 6 9 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Century Gothic";
panose-1:2 11 5 2 2 2 2 2 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
color:black;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;}
pre
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"HTML Preformatted Char";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Courier New";
color:black;}
span.HTMLPreformattedChar
{mso-style-name:"HTML Preformatted Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"HTML Preformatted";
font-family:Consolas;
color:black;}
span.il
{mso-style-name:il;}
span.EmailStyle20
{mso-style-type:personal;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D;}
span.EmailStyle21
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D;
font-weight:normal;
font-style:normal;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-size:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body bgcolor=white lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>We have used several products over the years and Vaseline has worked as well as any other product. Probably slightly less toxic than other options though not by much. I have seen it affected by a ‘hot ‘ battery bank and seen it run to a thinner coating. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Normally a bank should not get this hot but with the old relay style charge controllers stuff used to happen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Dana Orzel<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Great Solar works, Inc.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>E - dana@solarwork.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>V - 970.626.5253<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>F - 970.626.414<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>C - 970.209.4076<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>"Responsible Technologies for Responsible People since 1988"<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:windowtext'> re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Dave Palumbo<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, February 22, 2011 6:16 PM<br><b>To:</b> 'RE-wrenches'<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [RE-wrenches] Quick Cote troubles<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Years ago on this list we had a good discussion on the subject of battery terminal protection. The favorite at that time (by a geographically diverse group of installers) was to use a light coating of petroleum jelly (Vaseline or generic versions). We continue to use it after 25 years of good results. We use an old toothbrush to apply it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>I did try Quick Cote about 12 years ago and was not impressed. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>David Palumbo<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Independent Power LLC <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>462 Solar Way Drive<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Hyde Park, VT 05655<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><i><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>www.independentpowerllc.com <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>NABCEP Certified PV Installer<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Vermont Solar Partner<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>23 Years Experience, (802) 888-7194 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:windowtext'> re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Roy Butler<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, February 22, 2011 7:29 PM<br><b>To:</b> Allan@positiveenergysolar.com; RE-wrenches<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [RE-wrenches] Quick Cote troubles<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Allan,<br><br>I used Quick Cote for years until my local supplier had problems getting it in a timely manner.<br>I never had a problem with it but then again, I never put it on the lug/ terminal mating surfaces<br>prior to making the connections. Then I carefully coated the terminals, making sure to not<br>miss any spots.<br><br>I've had several opportunities to have a look at the mating surfaces years later and never found<br>any corrosion. I would imagine that grit would indeed create a connection problem. But you say<br>you've never seen this yourself?<br><br>I wonder if the formulation has been changed recently?</span><o:p></o:p></p><pre>Roy Butler<o:p></o:p></pre><pre>NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer®<o:p></o:p></pre><pre>NYSERDA eligible PV & wind installer<o:p></o:p></pre><pre>PA Sunshine Program Approved PV Installer<o:p></o:p></pre><pre>Four Winds Renewable Energy, LLC<o:p></o:p></pre><pre>8902 Route 46<o:p></o:p></pre><pre>Arkport, NY 14807<o:p></o:p></pre><pre>607-324-9747<o:p></o:p></pre><pre><o:p> </o:p></pre><pre><a href="http://www.four-winds-energy.com">www.four-winds-energy.com</a><o:p></o:p></pre><pre><o:p> </o:p></pre><pre>Although no trees were killed in the sending of this message, <o:p></o:p></pre><pre>a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.<o:p></o:p></pre><pre><o:p> </o:p></pre><pre> <o:p></o:p></pre><p class=MsoNormal><br>On 2/22/2011 7:12 PM, Allan Sindelar wrote: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>Wrenches,<br>Russ in our Taos office sent me the following query. I haven't seen this problem before and told him so, but others among you may know more. <br><br>What problems if any have you had with Quick-Cote battery terminal coating? What else works really well and lasts the life of the batteries?<br><br>From Russ:<br>We just had a situation involving Quick Cote on battery terminals that has made us question its use for coating battery terminals and cable lugs. We just installed a bank of HUPs on Monday using Quick Cote. First we lost power with just the Trimetric and MX60 powered up -- using an ohmmeter I found the problem to be a single jumper -- I got 7 megohms across two battery terminals connected by a jumper -- so I replaced the jumper and got the Trimet and MX60 powered up again. Then, when I powered up the OutBack inverters, there were sparks on the battery terminals, and the power cut out again. At that point I guessed that the problem must lie with the Quick Cote, since ours has tiny crystals in it (it feels gritty), and I thought those crystals must be holding the cable lugs off the battery terminals a tiny bit. Sure enough, Mark and I took the cables off, wiped off the Quick Cote from the contact surfaces and applied vaseline, and when we powered up the system, no sparks. (So, the jumper I removed probably wasn't to blame for the first loss of power.)<br><br>Our container of Quick Cote stayed on the truck (which stays parked outside) during the seriously cold weather we got this winter, so it probably froze. I'm guessing that's when the crystals formed. Nowhere on the Quick Cote label does it say to keep it from freezing though.<br><br>We're going to go back out to another job to wipe off the Quick Cote from the contact surfaces of the battery terminals and cable lugs, since we just installed four new batteries there and used Quick Cote, and I remember it being gritty at that time as well.<br><br>Is your Quick Cote gritty?<br><br>Russ<br clear=all><br><br>I told Russ that it always has been gritty. When it's dried out in the can (they often leak), I have added an oil-based carrier to thin it - usually WD40, as it's on the truck - and it's always mixed easily. So it's definitely solvent-based and shouldn't be affected by freezing.<br><br>I haven't had this problem before. I have found terminal bolts too loose and that has caused failures, but never the coating.<br><br>Thank you,<br>Allan<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span class=il><b>Allan</b></span><b> Sindelar</b><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><br><a href="mailto:Allan@positiveenergysolar.com" target="_blank"><span class=il>Allan</span>@positiveenergysolar.com</a><br>NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installer<br>EE98J Journeyman Electrician<br><b>Positive Energy, Inc.</b><br>3201 Calle Marie<br>Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507<br><b>505 424-1112</b><br><a href="http://www.positiveenergysolar.com/" target="_blank">www.positiveenergysolar.com</a></span><o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></p><pre><o:p> </o:p></pre><pre><o:p> </o:p></pre><pre>_______________________________________________<o:p></o:p></pre><pre>List sponsored by Home Power magazine<o:p></o:p></pre><pre><o:p> </o:p></pre><pre>List Address: <a href="mailto:RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org">RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org</a><o:p></o:p></pre><pre><o:p> </o:p></pre><pre>Options & settings:<o:p></o:p></pre><pre><a href="http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org">http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org</a><o:p></o:p></pre><pre><o:p> </o:p></pre><pre>List-Archive: <a href="http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org">http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org</a><o:p></o:p></pre><pre><o:p> </o:p></pre><pre>List rules & etiquette:<o:p></o:p></pre><pre><a href="http://www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm">www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm</a><o:p></o:p></pre><pre><o:p> </o:p></pre><pre>Check out participant bios:<o:p></o:p></pre><pre><a href="http://www.members.re-wrenches.org">www.members.re-wrenches.org</a><o:p></o:p></pre><pre><o:p> </o:p></pre></div></body></html>