T-Pain Is On A Boat: Re: [Electric Boats] PAKTRAKER CURRENT PROBE DILEMMA

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Re: [Electric Boats] PAKTRAKER CURRENT PROBE DILEMMA

Hook it up and use dielectric grease on all connections. Without a space for an electrolyte (salt water), the different metals will remain corrosion free. Once connected and tested, a light coat of battery spray coating will prevent surface corrosion. Copper buss bars, lead terminals and stainless screws have been used for many years together, don't worry.

Be Well,

Arby

On Feb 6, 2010, at 10:36 AM, Mike <biankablog@verizon.net> wrote:

Last year when the display on my Zantrex XBM battery meter display died. I purchased a Paktrakr battery monitor with the optional current probe as a replacement. But, thanks to a tip from Mathew Geier here on the Electric Boats list I was able to get a replacement part and fix the XBM:

http://biankablog.blogspot.com/2009/12/going-electric-repairing-zantrex-xbm.html

I still hooked up the Paktrakr which works great for measuring the individual battery voltages but, I never did hook up the current probe.The Paktrakr current probe requires I use a copper bus bar attached to the most negative battery negative terminal. The Paktrakr current probe slips over this copper bus bar and measures the induced current. I have been debating about whether or not I should install the current probe for the following reasons:

1) It adds another connection point in the system and a possible failure point.

2) I am concerned about corrosion issues. The bus bar which is copper will be connected to the battery terminal (lead) with a stainless steel bolt. My boat lives in a saltwater environment and worry that galvanic corrosion might be a problem.

So I am turning to those on the list for advice to this dilemma. It would be nice to have a backup current meter via the Paktrakr. Am I worrying to much about the corrosion/connection issues? I welcome comments on this issue.

Capt. Mike

http;//biankablog.blogspot.com

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