[kstegath]

I'm new to the group.

I'm in the process of converting my '76 Corvette to electric.
I'm using twenty-four 12volt Odyssey 1500s, Warp11", Curtis controller.

What is the popular emergency disconnect - something other than an Anderson connector?

I haven't figured out how to add a picture to the posting, but here's a link to the website:
http://www.advanced-ev.com

 

[JRP3]

Welcome. Really nice looking project. There are other options besides the Andersons, I used an Airpax DC 200 amp circuit breaker.

 

[dtbaker]

What is the popular emergency disconnect - something other than an Anderson connector?

you can get double coverage if you use a big circuit breaker (GE, Airpax, etc), and drill a little hole in the switch, and run a choke cable thru the firewall so you can pull manually. typical location would be by your left knee and with a red or yellow sticker or cover identifying it as a 'kill'.

I have a series of a couple pix in my gallery starting at:
http://www.envirokarma.org/ev/gallery/090216_cbcable04.connect.htm

 

[JRP3]

My Airpax came with a hole pre-installed Probably for ganging them together.

 

[kstegath]

Thanks for the input. I looked at the Airpax and the largest I found is 250 amps.

I running 144 volts and 500 amps and haven't found any circuit breakers (or switches) that handle that much current at that voltage (DC) that doesn't cost a fortune.

 

[dtbaker]

Thanks for the input. I looked at the Airpax and the largest I found is 250 amps.

I running 144 volts and 500 amps and haven't found any circuit breakers (or switches) that handle that much current at that voltage (DC) that doesn't cost a fortune.

you won't be running 500 amps continuously.... and 'most likely' won't be pulling the circuit breaker while under load anyway. but yes, both the main contacters and circuit breakers get expensive when rated for high voltage and high amp DC.

 

[peggus]

Don't worry about the peak amps, size your protection components for continuous current. For the Curtis that's about 200-250A.
The 160V, 250A breaker on this page has been used successfully in many vehicles:
http://www.solarseller.com/dc_circuit_breakers__dc_circuit_breaker_ul_listed_to_125_volts_dc.htm

Thanks for the input. I looked at the Airpax and the largest I found is 250 amps.

I running 144 volts and 500 amps and haven't found any circuit breakers (or switches) that handle that much current at that voltage (DC) that doesn't cost a fortune.

 

[adamj12b]

Hi Keith,

Nice to see you here.

I believe you can use the Kilovac EV200 series contactors as an emergency disconnect once... There rated to break 3200A 1 time.

The controller will be the major limiting factor with those batteries. They will do 500A for 2 minutes straight till there dead! Actually 4 minutes in your case because you are running 2 strings of 12.

-Adam

 

[JRP3]

I've pulled 550 amps through my Airpax for a few seconds and never tripped it.