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Battery Pack
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All power will be provided using an onboard battery pack. The pack consists of 6 strings of 8 batteries in series. The strings are split into two sections of 4 batteries each, these are then bound together using shrink wrap and a series connection is made across one end of the double set. This will produce a nominal voltage of 12 volts. Each string is then diode isolated and the positive sides are connected in parallel. A fuse is placed on the ground side of the set. The main fuse is a 15 Amp slow-blow fuse and all wiring internal to the battery compartment is 16 AWG wire.
The batteries are held together in a block using 3/8-16 threaded rod and PVC end caps as shown in figure 4. The rods provide a compression force on all the strings and the PVC layers are machined to help ensure proper alignment of the battery strings. All electrical connections are made through the top PVC plate. The diodes and fuses are also bonded to this plate.
The battery block is then protected from accidental contact by a PVC shroud (figure 4). This shroud has a small ½” diameter hole in one side to allow for pressure release in the event of gas evolution from a battery. The hole is stuffed with open cell foam so that any evolved fluids are contained within the PVC enclosure. This shroud is bolted to the base-plate using a PVC flange and 8 stainless steel 1-8 bolts.
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