31-03-2005 19:52

Gentry

Re: pic: 5 batteries?!

In retrospect we should have used black wire.

31-03-2005 19:59

Ahearn

Re: pic: 5 batteries?!

Everyone knows green wire is the new thing. Where have you been?

Lasts forever, but takes forever to charge...

31-03-2005 21:33

davelu

Re: pic: 5 batteries?!

Well, our team have tried with three batterys! and once we shortciruted a batter and the end of the battery connector melted. It scared that crap out of me and i was blind of a sec.... oh, ever tried this having 3 batterys red to red to red and black to black to black? ha i bet not cuz someone suggested that if you do it like that it is gonna be a parallel connection... ya, we did that and you can just imagine what happend afterwards

31-03-2005 21:45

Gentry

Re: pic: 5 batteries?!

Thats how we did our five, red to red to red to red to red and the same on black but as I learned dont touch the last red the same aluminum plate as the last black.......The more batteries the more possible current draw on a short..... Lots of sparks and small welding action. FUN. wait not so safe Oh well works great and lasts seemingly forever. Just take the last red and last black (or green in our case) and put them in a quick connect deal for the robot and works just like one super 12V battery that can supply in our case up to 5x more current

31-03-2005 22:47

Al Skierkiewicz

Re: pic: 5 batteries?!

To clear up a few misconceptions...
Although one would think that connecting batteries this way should be possible, it is not. No battery has exactly the same terminal voltage as another battery, even fully charged batteries of the same type and manufacture. When two batteries are connected in parallel the slightly higher voltage battery will try to supply current to the lower voltage battery until it becomes the lower voltage and the the second battery will try to supply current to the first. Around and around the current goes until both batteries are dead and you haven't even connected it to anything yet. (It takes a while but it does happen)
Add a third battery and a fourth and the same thing occurs with more permutations.
The correct way to connect batteries (in parallel) for greater current is to use power diodes in series with the positive lead. If you can't stand the voltage drop of a power diode you can use a power Schottky diode which has a lower junction voltage. Connect the anode of each diode to the positive battery lead and then connect the cathodes of all the diodes in parallel.
As you have noticed, the more current capability the more dangerous shorts become. Have you ever seen a 1/4" open end wrench go incandescent?
For safety, the terminals of all batteries need to be insulated at all times and the output of the diode connection needs to be protected with a circuit breaker or fuse.
These batteries, even in single quantity, are capable of very high current, and if mishandled can result in fire, damage to battery and possible explosion hazard. It is essential to know the dangers of battery misuse. If you have a question just ask, I will get back to you.

02-04-2005 18:36

Chriszuma

Re: pic: 5 batteries?!

We used green to wire our operator interface. Not because it's better though, more because we didn't have any black wire. We also wrote in large paint pen letters on the back: "GREEN IS GROUND" to clear up any confusion that may result.

02-04-2005 22:06

Gentry

Re: pic: 5 batteries?!

Yeah we learned that our Lowes does not carry black 6 gauge wire. was either red or green