Insulating fluid for connections?
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Insulating fluid for connections?
What are people using to protect and insulate electrical connections that are too awkward to wrap with tape? An example would be the "Hot" battery post with the side studs. I don't like the rubber covers, but I have seen a red liquid that is meant to be brushed on? And, where to get? Please advise, thanks.
Re: Insulating fluid for connections?
I've used "liquid electrical tape". The one I have is made by Star Brite and you can get it at home despot. I've had no problems with it.
I'm sure you can get a better one at a professional electrical supply. Gardner Bender makes it.
Steve
I'm sure you can get a better one at a professional electrical supply. Gardner Bender makes it.
Steve
- ChuckHackett-844
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Re: Insulating fluid for connections?
I recommend that you use the rubber covers. Any paint on fluid such as "liquid tape" is going to be very thin and not protect from anything except moisture.Kimball McGinley wrote: ↑Wed Mar 28, 2018 11:59 am I don't like the rubber covers, but I have seen a red liquid that is meant to be brushed on? And, where to get? Please advise, thanks.
Getting something that conducts a lot of electricity (like a wrench, screwdriver, etc.) across a battery can get VERY exciting - a.k.a. deadly!
Regards,
Chuck Hackett, UP Northern 844, Mich-Cal Shay #2
Owner, MiniRail Solutions, LLC, RR Signal Systems (http://www.MiniRailSolutions.com)
"By the work, One knows the workman"
Chuck Hackett, UP Northern 844, Mich-Cal Shay #2
Owner, MiniRail Solutions, LLC, RR Signal Systems (http://www.MiniRailSolutions.com)
"By the work, One knows the workman"
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Re: Insulating fluid for connections?
Glyptol. Google will find it for you. It will protect against a bit more than just moisture, but a sharp blow will chip it. Better to use the rubber boots if at all possible. You only need a boot on the ungrounded terminal.
Re: Insulating fluid for connections?
I second Chuck's recommendation. Protecting battery terminals from accidental contact, especially from that wrench you are swinging, is not a place to be taking short cuts. If the battery is outgassing any hydrogen and you generate a spark you are likely to end up wearing the battery's innards, including the acid.ChuckHackett-844 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 28, 2018 1:05 pmI recommend that you use the rubber covers. Any paint on fluid such as "liquid tape" is going to be very thin and not protect from anything except moisture.Kimball McGinley wrote: ↑Wed Mar 28, 2018 11:59 am I don't like the rubber covers, but I have seen a red liquid that is meant to be brushed on? And, where to get? Please advise, thanks.
Getting something that conducts a lot of electricity (like a wrench, screwdriver, etc.) across a battery can get VERY exciting - a.k.a. deadly!
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Music isn’t at all difficult. All you gotta do is play the right notes at the right time!
Music isn’t at all difficult. All you gotta do is play the right notes at the right time!
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Re: Insulating fluid for connections?
Batteries generate so little hydrogen in normal operation that a hydrogen fire around a battery in an open space is quite unlikely. What is likely (and is *worse*) when you short the terminals of a fully-charged lead-acid battery is a steam explosion when all the energy stored in the battery is rapidly turned into heat inside the battery.
Re: Insulating fluid for connections?
True while under load. However, charging causes outgassing in non-sealed batteries, which can produce enough hydrogen to create an explosion hazard.John Hasler wrote: ↑Wed Mar 28, 2018 3:34 pmBatteries generate so little hydrogen in normal operation...
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Music isn’t at all difficult. All you gotta do is play the right notes at the right time!
Music isn’t at all difficult. All you gotta do is play the right notes at the right time!
- ChuckHackett-844
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Re: Insulating fluid for connections?
Here on our lake someone was servicing a boat at the dock and accidentally dropped something across the battery. It exploded sending him to the hospital - hydrogen or steam who cares - it makes for a bad day ...
Regards,
Chuck Hackett, UP Northern 844, Mich-Cal Shay #2
Owner, MiniRail Solutions, LLC, RR Signal Systems (http://www.MiniRailSolutions.com)
"By the work, One knows the workman"
Chuck Hackett, UP Northern 844, Mich-Cal Shay #2
Owner, MiniRail Solutions, LLC, RR Signal Systems (http://www.MiniRailSolutions.com)
"By the work, One knows the workman"
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Re: Insulating fluid for connections?
In an enclosed space in which it is allowed to accumulate, yes. The explosion that happens when you drop a wrench across the terminals is not a hydrogen explosion, however. Detonating the hydrogen/oxygen mixture in the small open spaces above each cell would barely blow the caps off. Shorting a car battery, though, causes it to dissipate all the power it has (on the order of 10 kw) in its internal resistance, turning it into a sulfuric acid boiler made of plastic. Even if the case doesn't split it will produce a geyser of boiling hot acid within seconds.BigDumbDinosaur wrote: ↑Wed Mar 28, 2018 4:18 pmTrue while under load. However, charging causes outgassing in non-sealed batteries, which can produce enough hydrogen to create an explosion hazard.John Hasler wrote: ↑Wed Mar 28, 2018 3:34 pmBatteries generate so little hydrogen in normal operation...
I came close to doing it once. Dropped the wrench and the battery began to make a terrifying hissing sound. I stayed and yanked the wrench off while everyone else ran. Foolish, but I got away with it. That time. I don't intend for there to be another.
Re: Insulating fluid for connections?
For that very reason, a lot of the boats, both commercial and pleasure, around here have a dedicated battery wrench. A half inch wrench with the handle entirely wrapped in electrical tape. And my insurer required that my batteries have covered boxes so no other wrench would drop on them when doing other maintenance on the engine.
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