Assembling a DC system
Hey all,
Helping a friend with a project and need your advise. He is redoing his battery system (12VDC) using mix of old and new cables, bus bars etc...While disassembling a neg bus bar which held several separate ground wires on one post (I know, not ideal but it is what we have to work with) I noticed what appear to be stainless washers.
Is stainless really a good idea in DC power? My impression was that it is not an ideal conductor. They were however corrosion free where the copper lugs were covered with vertegris and corrosion.
Second part is reassembly of same... what is everybodys favorite chemical for battery and lug posts to both prevent corrosion and perhaps improve electrical conductivity.
Joel and Vicki Wilkins
m/s Miss Magoo
Columbia 45
Treasure Island, FL
Joel wrote:
Helping a friend with a project and need your advise. He is redoing his
battery system (12VDC) using mix of old and new cables, bus bars etc...While
disassembling a neg bus bar which held several separate ground wires on one
post (I know, not ideal but it is what we have to work with) I noticed what
appear to be stainless washers.
Is stainless really a good idea in DC power? My impression was that it is
not an ideal conductor. They were however corrosion free where the copper
lugs were covered with vertegris and corrosion.
Second part is reassembly of same... what is everybodys favorite chemical
for battery and lug posts to both prevent corrosion and perhaps improve
electrical conductivity.
Reply:
I have wondered about the stainless washers but they are used frequently.
Note this photo of a Blue Sea Fuse Block:
http://bluesea.com/category/81/21/productline/128
My favorite battery terminal protector is Permatex Battery Protector. See:
http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1378723&cagpspn=pla
It is a little messy but does the job. It works by covering the wires and
terminals with a blue goo. If for some (strange) reason you need to
disconnect your batteries frequently it may be too messy for you. When I
took my last battery bank in to Dyno to recycle they were impressed at how
clean the terminals were. Like new.
Eric Thoman
Abyssinia
Joseph C. Pica
411 Walnut Street, #8227
Green Cove Springs, Florida 32043
Ph 301-904-9122
M/V "Carolyn Ann" GH N-37
MTOA# 3813
AGLCA# 5485 (Platinum Looper)
http://carolynann-n37.blogspot.com/
Joseph.pica@gmail.com
Snip:"...Is stainless really a good idea in DC power? My impression was that
it is not an ideal conductor. They were however corrosion free where the
copper lugs were covered with vertegris and corrosion...."
Stainless should not be used between the connection point e.g/ only on top
to tighten down against the contactors. For a post type connection the ring
terminal goes on the post first then the atainless steel washer and nut.
Stainless steel has more resistance then tinned coppers so should not be use
between the conductors.
Joe
Carolyn Ann GHN-37
Blue Sea does supply stainless washers with their power bars, but I
believe that they should be placed between the nut and the top cable
lug, so that they are not part of the main current path.
A while back, someone mentioned melting battery terminals because he had
used a stainless bolt,and had put a stainless washer between the cable
lug and the battery post, so all current had to flow through the
stainless washer.
On 2013-01-26 2:27 PM, Joel Wilkins wrote:
Hey all, Helping a friend with a project and need your advise. He is
redoing his battery system (12VDC) using mix of old and new cables,
bus bars etc...While disassembling a neg bus bar which held several
separate ground wires on one post (I know, not ideal but it is what
we have to work with) I noticed what appear to be stainless washers.
Is stainless really a good idea in DC power? My impression was that
it is not an ideal conductor. They were however corrosion free where
the copper lugs were covered with vertegris and corrosion.
Second part is reassembly of same... what is everybodys favorite
chemical for battery and lug posts to both prevent corrosion and
perhaps improve electrical conductivity.
Joel and Vicki Wilkins m/s Miss Magoo Columbia 45 Treasure Island,
FL _______________________________________________
--
Peter Bennett, VE7CEI Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Vancouver Power Squadron: http://vpsboat.com
J & V, you are right, stainless has less than 100% perfect conductivity,
although it's rarely a problem with the voltages and wire runs we commonly
use. But do remember that if the live conductors are placed on the lug
first, and the stainless washer added last, no current needs to flow through
the washer
Bob Peterson
"Lopaka Nane"
47' Lien Hwa Cruiser
San Francisco, CA
-----Original Message-----
From: Trawlers-and-Trawlering [mailto:trawlers-bounces@lists.trawlering.com]
On Behalf Of Joel Wilkins
Sent: Saturday, January 26, 2013 2:28 PM
To: Trawlers
Subject: T&T: Assembling a DC system
Hey all,
Helping a friend with a project and need your advise. He is redoing his
battery system (12VDC) using mix of old and new cables, bus bars etc...While
disassembling a neg bus bar which held several separate ground wires on one
post (I know, not ideal but it is what we have to work with) I noticed what
appear to be stainless washers.
Is stainless really a good idea in DC power? My impression was that it is
not an ideal conductor. They were however corrosion free where the copper
lugs were covered with vertegris and corrosion.
Second part is reassembly of same... what is everybodys favorite chemical
for battery and lug posts to both prevent corrosion and perhaps improve
electrical conductivity.
Joel and Vicki Wilkins
m/s Miss Magoo
Columbia 45
Treasure Island, FL
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Ok, as so noted: SS lock washers are a great thing to use, but only on TOP
of the lug where it can provide pressure and the locking function - not
between the lug and the bus bar where it will cause excessive resistance and
also be compromised in its ability to provide a 'locking' function.
On your 2nd question: Go to an auto store and get a tube of "Dielectric
Grease" for under $10 (or a much smaller tube for around $20 at a marine
store). Apply it liberally on all connections. Will do nothing for
increasing conductivity (materials and pressure of the lug will do that) but
will inhibit corrosion tremendously. Good for use on lugs as well as
battery terminals :-)
-al-
Viking Star
45' Monk Sr. / McQueen
mvVikingStar.blogspot.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Trawlers-and-Trawlering [mailto:trawlers-bounces@lists.trawlering.com]
On Behalf Of Joel Wilkins
Sent: Saturday, January 26, 2013 2:28 PM
To: Trawlers
Subject: T&T: Assembling a DC system
Hey all,
Helping a friend with a project and need your advise. He is redoing his
battery system (12VDC) using mix of old and new cables, bus bars etc...While
disassembling a neg bus bar which held several separate ground wires on one
post (I know, not ideal but it is what we have to work with) I noticed what
appear to be stainless washers.
Is stainless really a good idea in DC power? My impression was that it is
not an ideal conductor. They were however corrosion free where the copper
lugs were covered with vertegris and corrosion.
Second part is reassembly of same... what is everybodys favorite chemical
for battery and lug posts to both prevent corrosion and perhaps improve
electrical conductivity.
Joel and Vicki Wilkins
m/s Miss Magoo
Columbia 45
Treasure Island, FL