A customer called me yesterday to order more battery cells for another battery after building a 16s LiFePO4 battery with cells that we had sold him.
We got chatting and he told me about the fantastic discovery he had made by using some 25mm Deta PVC trunking from Bunnings!
A Clever Use for PVC Trunking
When he first told me that he was using this trunking I imagined a fairly standard wall mount with his cables running on the inside, but no, that’s not what he used it for. He made the discovery that if he put a little bit of heatshrink around his busbars (which is always a good idea) this trunking would snap in place quite firmly on the bus bars, so much so that it could not be pushed without unclipping it first.
Practical Benefits for DIY Batteries
Further, given that it was sitting on the plastic surface surrounding the terminals of the cells, there’s just enough room for the balance wires underneath the trunking meaning that you don’t need to cut it for those.
But even when you do have to cut it, for bus bars that are at right 90 degrees, this can easily be done with a Stanley knife.
It really does seem like the trunking was custom-made for this purpose, just waiting for our customer to stumble upon it, and the other function that it could be used as trunking as well was just a positive coincidence! 😉
It’s always great to see ingenuity like this, especially if it’s safety related, given that I recently had to post about a fire caused by another customer dropping a metal spanner onto the terminals. This $14.19 solution would have almost certainly prevented the ensuing fire!
Practical Benefits for DIY Batteries
The customer noted several advantages of this DIY approach for improving the safety and functionality of DIY batteries:
-
Protecting Balance Wires:
The trunking sits snugly on the plastic surface surrounding the terminals of the cells, leaving just enough space for the balance wires underneath without needing additional modifications. -
Easy Adjustments:
For busbars at 90-degree angles, small cuts in the trunking can be made easily with a Stanley knife. -
Dual Functionality:
Not only does the trunking secure the busbars, but it also retains its original functionality as a cable trunking system—a happy coincidence!
Upgrade Your DIY Battery Setup with Muller Energy
At Muller Energy, we’re passionate about helping you build safer and more reliable DIY battery systems. Whether you need high-quality battery cells, safety accessories, or expert advice, we’ve got you covered.
Take advantage of our Outdoor Adventure Sale and find top-quality products at unbeatable prices!
Visit us at 38/3 Cal Cl, Somersby NSW 2250, Australia, or give us a call at +61 493 274 334 to learn more about our products and services. Let Muller Energy power your next DIY project with confidence and safety!
