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connectors

Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2010 12:17 am
by Tom Thomson
Has anyone pulled apart an Anderson connector under load?
tommyt

Re: connectors

Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2010 6:34 am
by retepsnikrep
Why?

Depending on the current/voltage/ac/dc I would expect a spark/arc of varying size which may damage the connectors.

They are no load plug in/out IMO but can handle very high currents without heating once connected.

Re: connectors

Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2010 10:41 am
by arsharpe
Ah - as we are on the subject.

I am currently working with a local mechanic (trained on servicing PSA vehicles) to put Lithiums into our 106. I want to be able to add additional cells in the boot (for long runs) with a simple connector. He suggests Anderson connectors.

What do people think of using Anderson connectors for no-load connections, etc in a PSA vehicle ?

Re: connectors

Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2010 11:01 pm
by timpootle
PSA or anywhere, Anderson connectors are very good at what they do. And quite good at what they don't do, too.

Re: connectors

Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 11:40 am
by ChrisB
They have been in use for years on Forklifts 8)

I would suggest to always look for ones above the max current you likely to use as I have seen them burn out in the past where they have been rated or just on their rating with the load.

ChrisB

Re: connectors

Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 9:53 pm
by Night Train
major, on diyelectriccar gave a reasonable answer already.

I reckon it depends on the load. What sort of current and voltage would you intend breaking with it?

If the load was a few amps at 12v it would be very different to 500A at 144v.
It would arc. It would arc more if you pulled apart slowly. It may arc less it was pulled apart quickly. If the connector was used a a loop for an emergency disconnect then there is always the risk that the arc may move from the extracted plug to just bridge the live side of the connector.

May be you could try it and see? Then let us know.
I've managed to stretch arcs from my welder to best part of an inch or so long, that is only around 50v I think.

I've seen some EVs with an Anderson connector in the cabin as an emergency disconnect. I think the last thing I would want when the car is running away is arc eye.

Re: connectors

Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 12:07 am
by Tom Thomson
night train
I guess I won't try it to see; I had hoped that someone already had. After my controller exploded (literally) I thought it a good idea to add an emergency disconnect so I installed an Anderson. I wonder now if that's the proper solution. In an emergency situation one might be breaking full voltage and amperage (96V and who knows how many amps). Is there a better choice?
tommyt
ps ok I give---what is "arc eye"

Re: connectors

Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 12:17 am
by retepsnikrep
A suitably rated DC fuse would be a start. High voltage/current DC fuses are not that cheap though.

Then you can have one of those big red knobs in the car made by allbright. They have been around for years and used to break fault currents at levels considerably higher than their ratings suggest :shock:

Anderson connectors are pretty tough to get apart, you don't want to be struggling to pull the connector apart whilst your batteries are melting around you.

A decent fuse and a readily accesible big red knob ;) would be my choice for an average roadgoing EV.

Re: connectors

Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 2:31 pm
by Night Train
Tom Thomson wrote:night train
I guess I won't try it to see; I had hoped that someone already had. After my controller exploded (literally) I thought it a good idea to add an emergency disconnect so I installed an Anderson. I wonder now if that's the proper solution. In an emergency situation one might be breaking full voltage and amperage (96V and who knows how many amps). Is there a better choice?
tommyt
ps ok I give---what is "arc eye"


I think given all my concerns I would probably still have one as a last resort.

I would probably use a single pole connector so that there is no second pole to arc across to.

Arc eye is the temporary blindness that welders suffer from when they accidently strike an arc without their face shield on. You would be automatically looking at what you are doing and then 'Flash!' you are blind. All you can see is the big green and purple blob (that's what colour it is for me) that totally obscures vision.

The arc is not only very bright but also very high in UV radiation. I once did a quick bit of welding wearing short sleeves. Only 5 minutes at 120 amps. I had peeling skin on my forearms like spending a week on the beach without sunblock.

Re: connectors

Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 8:01 pm
by GregsGarage
My 144 volt setup will have 3 48 volt packs, one under the bonnet, one under the rear seats and one in the boot. I am going to attach a fuse to a Anderson connector fitted between the middle and rear battery pack. The fuse and Anderson connector will be enclosed in a polycarbonate enclosure, probably with a big handle on it. I will also use a big red button for emergency disconnecting, between the front and middle pack. I also use 2 contactors to isolate the controller from the pack. With the fuse removed and the big red button pressed I have split my pack into 3 48 volt packs, much safer for maintenance.