I built my first Smack and have been thinking of ways to limit current losses.
I posted this on the yahoo forum, please offer any feedback you can:
IF you look at page 16 of Smack's "Background Information" pages, on the bottom it shows that plates connected by ss nuts are not the same charge. It then goes on to explain that "The voltages are relative to each other, so each plate pair thinks it has a negative electrical connection on one plate and a positive connection on the other plate"
But, they are connected by a ss nut, which should equalize the charge between adjacent plates. The stepping down of voltage happens in the nylon seperated pairs (I'm thinking aloud at this point, so please tell me if I'm off base).
So, the ss nut connected plates DO have the same charge in reality.
The picture showing + - + - on page 16 refers to the relative charge across the nylon seperated plates. Right?
OK, so now it makes sense that most leakage would occur between the edges of the plates, NOT the gap between pairs.
SO, in order to keep electrolyte flow between plate pairs, AND to limit current leakage. HOW about insulating the bottom, sides and say 50% of the top edges (to let gas escape).
would this potentially cut down on leakage and therefore heat? without making it too complicated.
I posted this on the yahoo forum, please offer any feedback you can:
IF you look at page 16 of Smack's "Background Information" pages, on the bottom it shows that plates connected by ss nuts are not the same charge. It then goes on to explain that "The voltages are relative to each other, so each plate pair thinks it has a negative electrical connection on one plate and a positive connection on the other plate"
But, they are connected by a ss nut, which should equalize the charge between adjacent plates. The stepping down of voltage happens in the nylon seperated pairs (I'm thinking aloud at this point, so please tell me if I'm off base).
So, the ss nut connected plates DO have the same charge in reality.
The picture showing + - + - on page 16 refers to the relative charge across the nylon seperated plates. Right?
OK, so now it makes sense that most leakage would occur between the edges of the plates, NOT the gap between pairs.
SO, in order to keep electrolyte flow between plate pairs, AND to limit current leakage. HOW about insulating the bottom, sides and say 50% of the top edges (to let gas escape).
would this potentially cut down on leakage and therefore heat? without making it too complicated.
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