Page 61 - Electromechanical Devices and Components Illustrated Sourcebook

Chapter 3 Power Sources 23

−
6 volts Lifting Eyes
+
+ − + − + − + −

Interconnection Cables
6-Volt Batteries

1.5-volt Batteries
Figure 3-16 Series Connected Batteries 536 Lbs.

Positive Terminal
1.5-volt Cell
Negative Terminal 8 Places Pack
Weight
Interconnect Strap
Battery Box
Shrink
Connector
Wrap
Figure 3-19 36-Volt Industrial Fork Truck Battery Pack
12-volt
Output
Figure 3-17 Shrink Wrap Battery Pack

Figure 3-19 shows a 36-volt industrial fork truck battery pack.
It is made from six 6-volt lead/acid batteries that are placed
bundle. Interconnections are accomplished by soldering cop-
into a steel battery box. The batteries are interconnected with
per strips to the cell’s terminals. The output is a standard mod-
short cables carrying a terminal clamp on each end. The out-
ular connector that is soldered to the battery terminals as
put of the pack is a high current industrial connector. Battery
shown. Figure 3-18 shows an exploded view of the pack.
packs like the one shown can be very heavy and usually incor-
Battery bundles like this are commonly found in larger motor-
porate two lifting eyes on either end of the box. During oper-
ized toys, uninterruptible power supplies, and test equipment.
ation, the pack is plugged into the electrical system of the
Industrial automotive applications require very large bat-
truck. At the end of the shift the truck is parked in close prox-
tery packs that are capable of delivering high currents for
imity to a battery charger. The battery pack is unplugged from
extended periods of time. Fork trucks and floor cleaning
the fork truck and plugged into the charger for the night. In
equipment are the most common use for these battery packs.
the morning, the battery is fully charged and the truck is
placed back into service for the next shift.
For fixed applications, arrays of batteries are generally
Interconnect installed into some sort of framework, as shown in Figure 3-20.
Straps An array like this might be used as a back-up system for tele-
Positive phone or radio communications equipment. Take note of the
Negative Terminals
Terminals continuous interconnect buss bar. These bars are generally not
insulated and great care should be exercised when working
1.5-volt
Cells around these arrangements. Even though most battery arrays
are set up in a parallel arrangement and do not produce lethal
voltages, their current capabilities can be extremely high. If
an ordinary wrench is inadvertently dropped onto the top of
the buss bars, these arrays can deliver enough current to literally
vaporize the wrench and, probably, a sizable chunk of the
Output
Connector buss bar. For arrays that are set up in series, great care should
Shrink Wrap be exercised when working with these systems. Most people
see a battery and don’t consider it to be particularly dangerous.
However, if two hundred 1.5-volt dry cells are set up in series,
the array will produce 300 volts! This is more than enough
Figure 3-18 Shrink Wrap Battery Pack Exploded View voltage to be lethal.