Battery strap too close to terminals?

cjensen · #1 11-25-2009, 08:36 AM

Now that I've moved the airplane to the big heated hangar at work for the winter, I have all the mechanics giving me tips and pointers...some are great, and others are just uneducated (on RV's) on what they are looking at. One of our A&P's mentioned to me this morning that he is concerned about the battery strap being too close to the terminals, more so on one side than the other (second pic), but he suggested that I take it off and either remake it, or at least shave the strap back or move the bolt hole. The strap is elevated, as you know, so it's not as close as it looks in these pics, but I wanted to get some opinions on it none-the-less...

Thoughts?

Steve Sampson · #2 11-25-2009, 08:45 AM

Chad, it looks in the picture that the bolt hole by the +ve is off centre. If that is correct, and you inverted it and perhaps shaved it, you would probably have lots more clearance. At the -ve end there is not a problem, just make sure it is basically clear.

nucleus · #3 11-25-2009, 08:57 AM

That is too close to the positive terminal!

H

Brantel · #4 11-25-2009, 09:10 AM

Looks to me like 95% of the installs out there that put that battery on the firewall.

MontanaMike · #5 11-25-2009, 09:21 AM

Another suggestion...I used a heavy duty red big-rig shrink wrap on mine and used a razor to cut out the lightening holes, that just for appearances. Now when I drop tools into that area it is less exciting.

I found it at a parts store that stocks truck stuff, in the RV section, don't know what they use it for.

Montanamike
RV-6 N918MB
Registered, Finishing for Feb 2010 Inspection

dhall_polo · #6 11-25-2009, 09:21 AM

I did mine per spec. I agree it's too close.

I put some protective tape (UHMV) on the metal strap on the positive half. I also use a taped up wrench on the lugs.

My dar was also against any exposed terminals and buses, like the copper bus from vans' fwf design. You cannot put a boot on every area, so I bought some electrical insulation paint for the other terminals. Made the DAR happy.

Don

JonJay · #7 11-25-2009, 09:35 AM

I am a big fan of Self Fusing Silicon Tape. I put a protective wrap around the strap to protect it. I also use it to wrap other exposed terminals. It is amazing stuff.

N941WR · #8 11-25-2009, 09:43 AM

I saw one builder make that strap out of a thick piece of Delrin. He has not reported any issues since.

Funny but none of you mentioned the proximity of the Positive lead to the firewall. That is actually closer than the positive lead to the brace.

JonJay · #9 11-25-2009, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N941WR

I saw one builder make that strap out of a thick piece of Delrin. He has not reported any issues since.

Funny but none of you mentioned the proximity of the Positive lead to the firewall. That is actually closer than the positive lead to the brace.

They are about the same, but your point is well taken. I layer electrical tape on the firewall when I am putting my charger on it.

cjensen · #10 11-25-2009, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N941WR

I saw one builder make that strap out of a thick piece of Delrin. He has not reported any issues since.

I decided to do something similar...I'm going to use a piece of phenolic board, .125 thick just like the AL strap, in the place of what I have. Too bad...those lightening holes look great! But I'd rather be safe I guess...