Re: [EVDL] To Noalox, or Not to Noalox

2014-08-08 Thread brucedp5 via EV
I had some experience using Noalox, I hope the following is useful ...

Way back in my early EV years, when heard the snoWhite Electric race car 
http://web.stanford.edu/dept/SUL/library/extra4/sloan/EVonline/evaosc/9404/page8.htm
http://www.cafeelectric.com/images/Snowhite1.jpg
was using Noalox on its battery connectors to improve conductivity / reduce
resistive loss on the power connections, I wanted to try it.

On my a PbSO4 battery change I tried using Noalox to help offset the losses
I was having driving a heavy wind-pusher S-10 Blazer EV conversion. I
cleaned my battery connections using rubbing alcohol (the connectors and
battery posts did not have any severe corrosion). The small bottle of Noalox
I bought was not cheap, but I applied it as I was instructed (I used the
correct amount) on all metal to metal surfaces (the battery posts/terminals,
and the inside of the battery connectors).

After all of that, did I see a difference in using Noalox on my metal to
metal power connections? Yes. Not much difference, but slightly less wasted
power from connector resistance (after a long run or mountain climbing, my
connectors and posts/terminals were cooler when using Noalox, added 3 to 5
miles on a 60+ mile 132VDC T145 pack).

Later, I used up what Noalox I had left on the next battery changes. But
after I ran out of Noalox, I was not doing long distance driving with my EV
any longer, so I just use regular connections on a battery change. The
performance and range was a little less, but IMO for regular city driving,
it is not worth the Noalox cost. But, if I wanted to slightly push the
performance and or range of an EV conversion again, I would consider using
Noalox again.


{brucedp.150m.com}
...
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=Noalox+conductive




-
On Thu, Aug 7, 2014, at 08:22 PM, Rick Beebe via EV wrote:
 REAP Systems in England did test that in a lab last year. You can see a
 video presentation they did on the EVTV web site. Go to video archives,
 August 16, 2013. A direct link is
 http://media3.ev-tv.me/news081613-iPhone.m4v. The presentation starts at
 23 minutes and the results are around 36 minutes.
 
 Instead of sanding they used a steel bristle brush to remove the tarnish
 from the terminals and busbars. They discharged the cells at 300 amps in
 60 second bursts 30 times. The BMS was monitoring individual cell
 temperatures and if they exceeded 45C it would reduce the current. They
 strapped 7 100Ah cells together.
 
 With uncleaned terminals they got one cycle before having to reduce the
 current because of temperature. The warmest cell got up to 55C after 10
 cycles.
 
 With cleaned terminals there was no reduction in current until after 11
 cycles when the warmest cell got up to 45C. The warmest cell eventually
 got just above 50C but after those 11 cycles they'd already drawn half
 the capacity of the cells.
 
 Interestingly there was virtually no difference when they added the
 grease. So if you think the grease will help prevent corrosion that's
 fine. But it doesn't seem to do anything to help the connection.
 
 --Rick
 
 On 7/31/2014 12:43 PM, Michael Ross via EV wrote:
  With aluminum, you just cannot expose bare un-oxidixed metal, it is not
  possible to do this, so I am not happy with the sanding idea.  The
 sanding
  has to be helpful on some other basis if it is indeed helpful.
 
  Be interesting if someone has compared greased un-sanded to greased and
  sanded.
-




--
View this message in context: 
http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/Re-To-Noalox-or-Not-to-Noalox-tp4670881p4670885.html
Sent from the Electric Vehicle Discussion List mailing list archive at 
Nabble.com.
___
UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub
http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org
For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA 
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)



Re: [EVDL] To Noalox, or Not to Noalox

2014-08-08 Thread Martin WINLOW via EV
I think REAP's results speak for themselves.  Brushing is quite a bit easier 
than sanding but just watch you dont short a pair of terminals if you are using 
a long steel-wired brush!

But as Michael suggests, in a damp environment, such as a marine application 
for example, the Noalox might prevent moisture from penetrating the joint and 
increasing its resistance over time.  On the other hand, just using some 
petroleum grease (or similar) would probably work just as well.  MW


On 8 Aug 2014, at 04:38, Michael Ross via EV wrote:

 The theory that is being proposed is that the noalox or grease will provide
 better results over some time in service - particularly where there are
 dissimilar metals in contact. That makes sense to me.  I like the idea of
 brushing much better than sanding.  But, fine grit polishing sounds OK to
 me.
 
 I guess you have to buy the idea that the zinc particles in noalox do bind
 up free oxygen, providing anodic protection within the joint.  If the joint
 was dry, and the grease does not deteriorate, then I I think it might be
 speculative marketeering, and product differentiation that touts the zinc.
 
 It would be interesting to see this tested somehow.
 
 
 On Thu, Aug 7, 2014 at 11:22 PM, Rick Beebe via EV ev@lists.evdl.org
 wrote:
 
 REAP Systems in England did test that in a lab last year. You can see a
 video presentation they did on the EVTV web site. Go to video archives,
 August 16, 2013. A direct link is
 http://media3.ev-tv.me/news081613-iPhone.m4v. The presentation starts at
 23 minutes and the results are around 36 minutes.
 
 Instead of sanding they used a steel bristle brush to remove the tarnish
 from the terminals and busbars. They discharged the cells at 300 amps in
 60 second bursts 30 times. The BMS was monitoring individual cell
 temperatures and if they exceeded 45C it would reduce the current. They
 strapped 7 100Ah cells together.
 
 With uncleaned terminals they got one cycle before having to reduce the
 current because of temperature. The warmest cell got up to 55C after 10
 cycles.
 
 With cleaned terminals there was no reduction in current until after 11
 cycles when the warmest cell got up to 45C. The warmest cell eventually
 got just above 50C but after those 11 cycles they'd already drawn half
 the capacity of the cells.
 
 Interestingly there was virtually no difference when they added the
 grease. So if you think the grease will help prevent corrosion that's
 fine. But it doesn't seem to do anything to help the connection.
 
 --Rick
 
 On 7/31/2014 12:43 PM, Michael Ross via EV wrote:
 
 With aluminum, you just cannot expose bare un-oxidixed metal, it is not
 possible to do this, so I am not happy with the sanding idea.  The sanding
 has to be helpful on some other basis if it is indeed helpful.
 
 Be interesting if someone has compared greased un-sanded to greased and
 sanded.
 
 
 
 
 
 ___
 UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub
 http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org
 For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/
 group/NEDRA)
 
 
 
 
 -- 
 Put this question to yourself: should I use everyone else to attain
 happiness, or should I help others gain happiness?
 *Dalai Lama *
 
 Tell me what it is you plan to do
 With your one wild and precious life?
 Mary Oliver, The summer day.
 
 To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.
 Thomas A. Edison
 http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/t/thomasaed125362.html
 
 A public-opinion poll is no substitute for thought.
 *Warren Buffet*
 
 Michael E. Ross
 (919) 550-2430 Land
 (919) 576-0824 https://www.google.com/voice/b/0?pli=1#phones Google Phone
 (919) 631-1451 Cell
 (919) 513-0418 Desk
 
 michael.e.r...@gmail.com
 michael.e.r...@gmail.com
 -- next part --
 An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
 URL: 
 http://lists.evdl.org/private.cgi/ev-evdl.org/attachments/20140807/6140844a/attachment.htm
 ___
 UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub
 http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org
 For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA 
 (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)
 

___
UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub
http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org
For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA 
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)



Re: [EVDL] To Noalox, or Not to Noalox

2014-08-07 Thread Rick Beebe via EV

REAP Systems in England did test that in a lab last year. You can see a
video presentation they did on the EVTV web site. Go to video archives,
August 16, 2013. A direct link is
http://media3.ev-tv.me/news081613-iPhone.m4v. The presentation starts at
23 minutes and the results are around 36 minutes.

Instead of sanding they used a steel bristle brush to remove the tarnish
from the terminals and busbars. They discharged the cells at 300 amps in
60 second bursts 30 times. The BMS was monitoring individual cell
temperatures and if they exceeded 45C it would reduce the current. They
strapped 7 100Ah cells together.

With uncleaned terminals they got one cycle before having to reduce the
current because of temperature. The warmest cell got up to 55C after 10
cycles.

With cleaned terminals there was no reduction in current until after 11
cycles when the warmest cell got up to 45C. The warmest cell eventually
got just above 50C but after those 11 cycles they'd already drawn half
the capacity of the cells.

Interestingly there was virtually no difference when they added the
grease. So if you think the grease will help prevent corrosion that's
fine. But it doesn't seem to do anything to help the connection.

--Rick

On 7/31/2014 12:43 PM, Michael Ross via EV wrote:

With aluminum, you just cannot expose bare un-oxidixed metal, it is not
possible to do this, so I am not happy with the sanding idea.  The sanding
has to be helpful on some other basis if it is indeed helpful.

Be interesting if someone has compared greased un-sanded to greased and
sanded.





___
UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub
http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org
For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA 
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)



Re: [EVDL] To Noalox, or Not to Noalox

2014-08-07 Thread Michael Ross via EV
The theory that is being proposed is that the noalox or grease will provide
better results over some time in service - particularly where there are
dissimilar metals in contact. That makes sense to me.  I like the idea of
brushing much better than sanding.  But, fine grit polishing sounds OK to
me.

I guess you have to buy the idea that the zinc particles in noalox do bind
up free oxygen, providing anodic protection within the joint.  If the joint
was dry, and the grease does not deteriorate, then I I think it might be
speculative marketeering, and product differentiation that touts the zinc.

It would be interesting to see this tested somehow.


On Thu, Aug 7, 2014 at 11:22 PM, Rick Beebe via EV ev@lists.evdl.org
wrote:

 REAP Systems in England did test that in a lab last year. You can see a
 video presentation they did on the EVTV web site. Go to video archives,
 August 16, 2013. A direct link is
 http://media3.ev-tv.me/news081613-iPhone.m4v. The presentation starts at
 23 minutes and the results are around 36 minutes.

 Instead of sanding they used a steel bristle brush to remove the tarnish
 from the terminals and busbars. They discharged the cells at 300 amps in
 60 second bursts 30 times. The BMS was monitoring individual cell
 temperatures and if they exceeded 45C it would reduce the current. They
 strapped 7 100Ah cells together.

 With uncleaned terminals they got one cycle before having to reduce the
 current because of temperature. The warmest cell got up to 55C after 10
 cycles.

 With cleaned terminals there was no reduction in current until after 11
 cycles when the warmest cell got up to 45C. The warmest cell eventually
 got just above 50C but after those 11 cycles they'd already drawn half
 the capacity of the cells.

 Interestingly there was virtually no difference when they added the
 grease. So if you think the grease will help prevent corrosion that's
 fine. But it doesn't seem to do anything to help the connection.

 --Rick

 On 7/31/2014 12:43 PM, Michael Ross via EV wrote:

 With aluminum, you just cannot expose bare un-oxidixed metal, it is not
 possible to do this, so I am not happy with the sanding idea.  The sanding
 has to be helpful on some other basis if it is indeed helpful.

 Be interesting if someone has compared greased un-sanded to greased and
 sanded.





 ___
 UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub
 http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org
 For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/
 group/NEDRA)




-- 
Put this question to yourself: should I use everyone else to attain
happiness, or should I help others gain happiness?
*Dalai Lama *

Tell me what it is you plan to do
With your one wild and precious life?
Mary Oliver, The summer day.

To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.
Thomas A. Edison
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/t/thomasaed125362.html

A public-opinion poll is no substitute for thought.
*Warren Buffet*

Michael E. Ross
(919) 550-2430 Land
(919) 576-0824 https://www.google.com/voice/b/0?pli=1#phones Google Phone
(919) 631-1451 Cell
(919) 513-0418 Desk

michael.e.r...@gmail.com
michael.e.r...@gmail.com
-- next part --
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: 
http://lists.evdl.org/private.cgi/ev-evdl.org/attachments/20140807/6140844a/attachment.htm
___
UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub
http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org
For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA 
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)



Re: [EVDL] To Noalox, or Not to Noalox (was: Lithium battery setpoints...)

2014-07-31 Thread Michael Ross via EV
Thanks for the level-headed reply Bill.

You described three functions - grease excluding moisture, zinc as a
sacrificial anode, and somehow removing aluminum oxide by sanding.

Here on this list I have been persuaded that the grease excluding moisture
is likely a good idea.  Pick one that won't dry or bake out.  I can't for
the life of me figure out why a highly resistive dielectric grease
(mentioned by others) is a better choice than a conductive grease...noalox
is essentially a conductive grease given the Zn content.

If you really do exclude the moisture then the zinc would be redundant,
seems like.

With aluminum, you just cannot expose bare un-oxidixed metal, it is not
possible to do this, so I am not happy with the sanding idea.  The sanding
has to be helpful on some other basis if it is indeed helpful.

Be interesting if someone has compared greased un-sanded to greased and
sanded.

I suppose if you used really fine grit paper you might actually improve
intimate mechanical contact, but I have my doubts.

I admit I have not yet used any cells with aluminum terminals.  One pack
has all the cells welded to stainless steel strips, the other are what look
like stainless or nickel plated something, stamped and formed with a tapped
holes (38120 size cells).  I have a group of used Thundersky cells, but I
have not used them yet.


On Thu, Jul 31, 2014 at 11:17 AM, Bill Dube via EV ev@lists.evdl.org
wrote:

 Here is an article describing how to make aluminum to copper connections,
 and when to use (and when not to use) oxide inhibiting paste:
 http://www.stabiloy.com/NR/rdonlyres/AD9F20D3-FA28-4662-
 A013-A154C569435C/0/AluminumBuildingWireInstallationandTerminations.pdf

 The cell manufacturer gives no guidance as to the use of oxide inhibiting
 paste, so one must try it both ways. I tried it without Noalox, and then
 with Noalox.

 I have installed cells without the light sanding and paste, and the
 connections were unsatisfactory. They got quite hot. The car performed
 poorly and had limited range. The cells would not balance well. I then
 performed the lightly sand and apply Noalox procedure, and did nothing
 else, and all those issues vanished. No additional torque. No added or
 removed components. No change whatsoever than to lightly sand and to add
 Noalox.

 Some time later, a friend had identical issues with his conversion, and I
 recommended the same treatment. He performed the lightly sand and Noalox
 procedure, and it cured his issues in the identical manner as it had cured
 mine.

 I now routinely use Noalox and I have not had any high resistance
 connections.

 The Noalox prevents galvanic corrosion between the dissimilar metals in
 the terminal by excluding moisture. Additionally, it has zinc particles
 that provide a sacrificial anode, further guarding against corrosion
 between the copper, aluminum, and the stainless steel bolt. In theory, this
 is what one does to prevent galvanic corrosion. It also appears to work in
 practice as well.

 I have actually done the experiment, and the results agree with theory. If
 anyone else has performed a similar experiment and had contradictory
 results, then I would enjoy hearing about it.

 Bill D.

 ___
 UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub
 http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org
 For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/
 group/NEDRA)




-- 
Put this question to yourself: should I use everyone else to attain
happiness, or should I help others gain happiness?
*Dalai Lama *

Tell me what it is you plan to do
With your one wild and precious life?
Mary Oliver, The summer day.

To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.
Thomas A. Edison
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/t/thomasaed125362.html

A public-opinion poll is no substitute for thought.
*Warren Buffet*

Michael E. Ross
(919) 550-2430 Land
(919) 576-0824 https://www.google.com/voice/b/0?pli=1#phones Google Phone
(919) 631-1451 Cell
(919) 513-0418 Desk

michael.e.r...@gmail.com
michael.e.r...@gmail.com
-- next part --
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: 
http://lists.evdl.org/private.cgi/ev-evdl.org/attachments/20140731/dc0ba8a0/attachment.htm
___
UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub
http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org
For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA 
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)



Re: [EVDL] To Noalox, or Not to Noalox (was: Lithium battery setpoints...)

2014-07-31 Thread Bill Dube via EV

That is the theory and it seems to be confirmed by two experiments.

When the cells arrive, the terminals are often noticeably covered 
with corrosion. Perhaps this corrosion is due to prolonged exposure 
to the sea environment during shipment, or to corrosive chemicals 
used during manufacture. It seems only prudent to remove it. Light 
sanding seems to be a simple and effective method to remove the bulk 
of that obvious corrosion.


Since that initial experiment and subsequent success with Noalox, I 
have built a number of packs and I have not had any more trouble with 
high resistance connections whatsoever. It may not be necessary in 
every case, but it is not much trouble to lightly sand and apply 
Noalox, and it does not appear to be any detriment.


Bill D.

At 11:11 AM 7/31/2014, Lawrence Harris wrote:
Remember that in almost any connection there is always an oxide 
layer.  The purpose of the sanding is to remove enough of this so 
that a reasonable pressure between the wire/strap and the connection 
can break through this layer and form a gas tight connection.  The 
grease is just there to keep moisture out, fill any small gaps and 
prevent surface corrosion.  The the added zinc will likely take up 
any remaining oxygen and further prevent corrosion for a time, as 
far as I know it does not contribute to the conductivity of the connection.


Lawrence Harris


___
UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub
http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org
For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA 
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)



Re: [EVDL] To Noalox, or Not to Noalox (was: Lithium battery setpoints...)

2014-07-31 Thread Chris Tromley via EV
My take on this is that the zinc is redundant.  I use petroleum jelly.
Certainly not a conductor.  At a microscopic level each metal surface in
the joint has pronounced peaks and valleys.  Only the peaks touch.  The
grease, being a fluid, displaces to fill the voids and the many localized
pressure points ensure good metal-to-metal contact.

I've been doing this for years and never had even a warm contact.

Chris
On Jul 31, 2014 11:20 AM, Bill Dube via EV ev@lists.evdl.org wrote:

 Here is an article describing how to make aluminum to copper connections,
 and when to use (and when not to use) oxide inhibiting paste:
 http://www.stabiloy.com/NR/rdonlyres/AD9F20D3-FA28-4662-
 A013-A154C569435C/0/AluminumBuildingWireInstallationandTerminations.pdf

 The cell manufacturer gives no guidance as to the use of oxide inhibiting
 paste, so one must try it both ways. I tried it without Noalox, and then
 with Noalox.

 I have installed cells without the light sanding and paste, and the
 connections were unsatisfactory. They got quite hot. The car performed
 poorly and had limited range. The cells would not balance well. I then
 performed the lightly sand and apply Noalox procedure, and did nothing
 else, and all those issues vanished. No additional torque. No added or
 removed components. No change whatsoever than to lightly sand and to add
 Noalox.

 Some time later, a friend had identical issues with his conversion, and I
 recommended the same treatment. He performed the lightly sand and Noalox
 procedure, and it cured his issues in the identical manner as it had cured
 mine.

 I now routinely use Noalox and I have not had any high resistance
 connections.

 The Noalox prevents galvanic corrosion between the dissimilar metals in
 the terminal by excluding moisture. Additionally, it has zinc particles
 that provide a sacrificial anode, further guarding against corrosion
 between the copper, aluminum, and the stainless steel bolt. In theory, this
 is what one does to prevent galvanic corrosion. It also appears to work in
 practice as well.

 I have actually done the experiment, and the results agree with theory. If
 anyone else has performed a similar experiment and had contradictory
 results, then I would enjoy hearing about it.

 Bill D.

 ___
 UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub
 http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org
 For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/
 group/NEDRA)


-- next part --
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: 
http://lists.evdl.org/private.cgi/ev-evdl.org/attachments/20140731/93f581ec/attachment.htm
___
UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub
http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org
For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA 
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)



Re: [EVDL] To Noalox, or Not to Noalox

2014-07-31 Thread Lee Hart via EV

Michael Ross via EV wrote:

I can't for the life of me figure out why a highly resistive dielectric
grease (mentioned by others) is a better choice than a conductive grease...


The grease is only filling the gaps (asperities) between the two metals. 
There is no grease at the contact points -- it's squeezed out by the 
high pressure.



noalox is essentially a conductive grease given the Zn content.


Marketeers make a big deal about how conductive their grease is 
(sticking the probes of a multimeter into it, etc.) That just marketing 
BS. The conductive grease is still many orders of magnitude less 
conductive than the metals. Its conductivity is meanigless compared to 
the metal-to-metal contact.



If you really do exclude the moisture then the zinc would be redundant,
seems like.


Like Bill says, the zinc particles are supposed to act as a sacrificial 
anode (corrode first) in case water does manage to get into the joint.



With aluminum, you just cannot expose bare un-oxidixed metal, it is not
possible to do this


I agree. But you can reduce the thickness of this coating so it is 
effectively gone.



Be interesting if someone has compared greased un-sanded to greased and
sanded.


I've done so, and so has Bill Dube' -- probably others. I agree 
completely with Bill; sanding and noalox (or just about any grease) works.



I suppose if you used really fine grit paper you might actually improve
intimate mechanical contact, but I have my doubts.


Well, I'm not talking about heavy sanding that removes any noticeable 
amount of metal. I'm just polishing the surface, to remove the dull 
finish and make it look shiny.



I admit I have not yet used any cells with aluminum terminals...
I have a group of used Thundersky cells, but I have not used them yet.


That will be a good test case.

I find it depressing to see how badly designed the terminals are on 
these cells. My first reaction was what idiot would use aluminum for 
high-current connections in a high harsh automotive environment?


Besides the aluminum itself, the other issue to address is the screw or 
both. Threads in aluminum tend to stick, gall, or seize. You get 
erroneous torque readings, and can even tear out the threads without 
ever achieving enough contact pressure. The grease helps here, too.


And, they tend to use any old thing for the interconnects between cells. 
You wind up with a mish-mash of incompatible metals. Aluminum terminal 
with a steel screw, holding a copper strap that may or may not be tin 
plated, etc. The cells themselves provide the voltage to enhance 
corrosion. Put them in a car where they get wet or dirty, and you have a 
wonderful environment for corrosion!


--
The definition of research: Shoot the arrow first, and paint the target
around where it lands. -- David Van Baak
--
Lee Hart's EV projects are at http://www.sunrise-ev.com/LeesEVs.htm
___
UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub
http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org
For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA 
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)



Re: [EVDL] To Noalox, or Not to Noalox

2014-07-31 Thread Bill Dube via EV

At 01:41 PM 7/31/2014, Lee Hart via EV wrote:
I find it depressing to see how badly designed the terminals are on 
these cells. My first reaction was what idiot would use aluminum 
for high-current connections in a high harsh automotive environment?


I agree totally.

However, you get what you pay for. They are _astoundingly_ cheap for 
the capacity you get. If they put some nifty corrosion-resistant 
plating on them, or made them from a better material, they would cost 
slightly more and folks would buy a different brand.


Bill D.



___
UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub
http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org
For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA 
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)



Re: [EVDL] To Noalox, or Not to Noalox (was: Lithium battery setpoints...)

2014-07-31 Thread Lawrence Harris via EV
Remember that in almost any connection there is always an oxide layer.  The 
purpose of the sanding is to remove enough of this so that a reasonable 
pressure between the wire/strap and the connection can break through this layer 
and form a gas tight connection.  The grease is just there to keep moisture 
out, fill any small gaps and prevent surface corrosion.  The the added zinc 
will likely take up any remaining oxygen and further prevent corrosion for a 
time, as far as I know it does not contribute to the conductivity of the 
connection.

Lawrence Harris
On Jul 31, 2014, at 9:43 AM, Michael Ross via EV ev@lists.evdl.org wrote:

 Thanks for the level-headed reply Bill.
 
 You described three functions - grease excluding moisture, zinc as a
 sacrificial anode, and somehow removing aluminum oxide by sanding.
 
 Here on this list I have been persuaded that the grease excluding moisture
 is likely a good idea.  Pick one that won't dry or bake out.  I can't for
 the life of me figure out why a highly resistive dielectric grease
 (mentioned by others) is a better choice than a conductive grease...noalox
 is essentially a conductive grease given the Zn content.
 
 If you really do exclude the moisture then the zinc would be redundant,
 seems like.
 
 With aluminum, you just cannot expose bare un-oxidixed metal, it is not
 possible to do this, so I am not happy with the sanding idea.  The sanding
 has to be helpful on some other basis if it is indeed helpful.
 
 Be interesting if someone has compared greased un-sanded to greased and
 sanded.
 
 I suppose if you used really fine grit paper you might actually improve
 intimate mechanical contact, but I have my doubts.
 
 I admit I have not yet used any cells with aluminum terminals.  One pack
 has all the cells welded to stainless steel strips, the other are what look
 like stainless or nickel plated something, stamped and formed with a tapped
 holes (38120 size cells).  I have a group of used Thundersky cells, but I
 have not used them yet.
 
 
 On Thu, Jul 31, 2014 at 11:17 AM, Bill Dube via EV ev@lists.evdl.org
 wrote:
 
 Here is an article describing how to make aluminum to copper connections,
 and when to use (and when not to use) oxide inhibiting paste:
 http://www.stabiloy.com/NR/rdonlyres/AD9F20D3-FA28-4662-
 A013-A154C569435C/0/AluminumBuildingWireInstallationandTerminations.pdf
 
 The cell manufacturer gives no guidance as to the use of oxide inhibiting
 paste, so one must try it both ways. I tried it without Noalox, and then
 with Noalox.
 
 I have installed cells without the light sanding and paste, and the
 connections were unsatisfactory. They got quite hot. The car performed
 poorly and had limited range. The cells would not balance well. I then
 performed the lightly sand and apply Noalox procedure, and did nothing
 else, and all those issues vanished. No additional torque. No added or
 removed components. No change whatsoever than to lightly sand and to add
 Noalox.
 
 Some time later, a friend had identical issues with his conversion, and I
 recommended the same treatment. He performed the lightly sand and Noalox
 procedure, and it cured his issues in the identical manner as it had cured
 mine.
 
 I now routinely use Noalox and I have not had any high resistance
 connections.
 
 The Noalox prevents galvanic corrosion between the dissimilar metals in
 the terminal by excluding moisture. Additionally, it has zinc particles
 that provide a sacrificial anode, further guarding against corrosion
 between the copper, aluminum, and the stainless steel bolt. In theory, this
 is what one does to prevent galvanic corrosion. It also appears to work in
 practice as well.
 
 I have actually done the experiment, and the results agree with theory. If
 anyone else has performed a similar experiment and had contradictory
 results, then I would enjoy hearing about it.
 
 Bill D.
 
 ___
 UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub
 http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org
 For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/
 group/NEDRA)
 
 
 
 
 -- 
 Put this question to yourself: should I use everyone else to attain
 happiness, or should I help others gain happiness?
 *Dalai Lama *
 
 Tell me what it is you plan to do
 With your one wild and precious life?
 Mary Oliver, The summer day.
 
 To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.
 Thomas A. Edison
 http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/t/thomasaed125362.html
 
 A public-opinion poll is no substitute for thought.
 *Warren Buffet*
 
 Michael E. Ross
 (919) 550-2430 Land
 (919) 576-0824 https://www.google.com/voice/b/0?pli=1#phones Google Phone
 (919) 631-1451 Cell
 (919) 513-0418 Desk
 
 michael.e.r...@gmail.com
 michael.e.r...@gmail.com
 -- next part --
 An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
 URL: 
 http://lists.evdl.org/private.cgi/ev-evdl.org/attachments/20140731/dc0ba8a0/attachment.htm