[corbin]

Hi all,
I just received my Thundersky batteries. I didn't order the copper bus bars or nuts/washers that come with them.

What kind of bolts and washers do you recommend using? I've heard from some people to use stainless (with NoOx goo), and others say to use steel connectors.

Should I use lock washers?

How long are your bolts that you are using?

thanks!
corbin

 

[corbin]

yes on stainless... with both AL and CU on terminals the stainless with noalox is a very good idea.

people seem to get by fine with the M8 bolts and lock washers usually, but I ordered a box of 30mm long set screws, nuts, and start washers because I kinda want to be sure I am getting full engagement all the way to the bottom of the blind hole.

I'll have a set of regular bolts/washers available in a couple days if you are interested to buy, let me know. I could price match a regular retailer and ship'em to you.

Cool, thanks for the advice! I think I'll definitely use stainless. Where did you get your SS M8 bolts from? All my local sources are pretty lame (i.e.: OSH or Home Depot), so I'll probably have to buy them online.

corbin

 

[corbin]

And another question: I just realized that you probably are using threaded rod as a battery post, and then a nut on top with a lock washer; is that correct?

corbin

 

[corbin]

So, as a follow up, I'll probably buy a box of M8 x 1.25 SS socket set screw bolts, 30mm length. Box of 100 is $30:

http://www.boltdepot.com/product.aspx?cc=25&cs=127&cm=67&cd=1553

A box of 100 SS metric nuts for $10

Either traditional lock-washers, or Nord-Lock. Nord-Lock look awesome, but are really expensive. McMaster-Carr:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#nord-lock-washers/=a6c6z9

$7.41/per 5. For 100 that's $148!

I'm going to see if I can find them cheaper. $148 might be too expensive for me at this time.

I'm also first going to double check the screw length; The cell hole is 14mm, so that leaves at least 16mm exposed -- that should be enough for bus bars + bms + nuts, but I need to check my math.

corbin

 

[corbin]

No need to spend the extra money on socket head set screws. Just get standard stainless steel studs. Install them in the battery terminals by using two nuts tightened against each other. Then once installed in the battery, remove the jam nut and you're done.

The same way you would install a stud in an engine block or motorcycle case...

Cool -- that looks nice too. I already ordered the set screws...so I'm using those. I like the idea of only having to have one nut -- it reduces the top clearance a little bit, which I need for my front pack.

ElectriCar -- the pos terminals are copper and the neg are aluminum.

corbin

 

[corbin]

Other way around, the negative terminals are copper and the positive terminals are aluminum. (the red metal is NOT positive )

Ooops Yeah, I didn't have them in front of me when I wrote that.

corbin