Sparks

[BrianG]

Yes; sparks, hot batts, and no power are all very good signs of shorted batteries. If you don't want to heat-shrink the pack, then at least use some type of insulating material between the pack and any part of the chassis where the batteries contact (and may contact) - like plastic, rubber, etc.

What is probably happening is the short-circuit is momentary, which is why the power comes and goes and would also explain the occasional sparks. Also check the cell casings. The shell of each cell is the same point at the negative lead so if the vibrations abraded a part of that on two or more cells, you are effectively shorting them out.

[vette1]

I do want to shrink wrap them that is what the goal is. I just want to make sure that is what is causing the problems before doing all that work.

[BrianG]

Before you do that then, take a piece of cloth or something and put it under and on the sides of the pack as a temporary insulator try it. If there aren't any more sparks, then that's what it was.

[vette1]

Now that makes a lot of sense, thats. Not cloth though, I was thinking about electrical tape around the contacts of the batteries. Also I think electrical tape will be a good insulator.

Any other suggestions or does that seem to be the problem.

Thanks

Mark :027: