Re: battery boxes (was - Re: Quick Curtis question)

[Mason Convey <opossum@asu.edu>]

+ The batteries should have there tops cleaned then rinsed with some 
+ distilled water. {...} Also the box should be provided with some
+ drains so water won't collect down there.


Forgive me if I seem the Devil's Advocate, but I would recommend NOT
puting holes in a battery box, especially with flooded batteries.
Enivronmentally and sanitarily speaking, it would be wise to prevent
electrolyte from leaving the battery box as best as possible. In the
event of a damaged or exploded battery, it would be nice to have the
electrolyte, lead, etc. contained within the battery box and not
dripping down the street or into the river. Even with general battery
gassing, you will essentially be washing that electrolyte out the
bottom of your battery box!

Though maybe a bit more tedious, I would recommend getting down and
dirty and actually cleaning the batteries by hand with paper towels
and a spray bottle of water (then appropriately disposing of the
acidic paper towels). The "proper" charging routine will also help
minimize/prevent excessive gassing, thus also minimizing your 
cleaning!

As for metal battery boxes, it's always nice if you can insulate them
from the batteries. Thin strips of styrofoam... plastic... spray-in
truck bed liner... they can all help insulate the batteries from the
chassis/battery box. Just make sure your insulating material doesn't
chemically react with whatever battery type you're using! And keeping
the batteries clean in also a must.

Mason.


     "Sometimes I think the world has gone completely mad.
     And then I think, "Aw, who cares?" And then I think,
     "Hey, what's for supper?"" --- Jack Handey (SNL)

     ----- mason s. convey -----
     * electrical engineering student
     * Phoenix Coyotes fan
     * electric vehicle nut
     http://www.public.asu.edu/~opossum