[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> >
> > I will be receiving in less than 10 days a powerful nicad battery pack
> >for the current eliminator,An wish Eric to also receive these same batteries
> >for his record breaking jounior dragster driven by his wife Tracy.So Eric
> >please call before 7pm, early to bed early to rise Dennis Kilowatt Berube
>
> I would strongly advise against putting flooded NiCads in a Jr
> Dragster. While it is not prudent to run them in an adult dragster, there
> is no reason to expose a child to the hazards of spraying potassium
> hydroxide from flooded NiCads when much safer AGM batteries can be used
> instead. It is a performance limited class, after all. Flooded batteries of
> any type are specifically prohibited in the electric powered Jr Dragster
> draft rules.
>
> For safety reasons, NEDRA has never allowed flooded electrolyte
> batteries in dragsters, Jr dragsters, or motorcycles. This is because the
> liquid electrolyte poses a hazard in the case of an accident or in the
> all-to-common case of a burst battery. The electrolyte sprays out of the
> battery and can injure the driver. That is why NEDRA requires "absorbed
> glass mat" (AGM), starved electrolyte, or gelled electrolyte batteries in
> these type vehicles
>
> While it is technically possible to safely run flooded NiCads in
> a dragster, unless proper precautions are taken, this could present a major
> safety hazard. Flooded batteries must be housed in a box that will safely
> contain the electrolyte in the case of a burst battery (or batteries) or an
> accident. This is not easy to accomplish.
>
> Flooded NiCad batteries use potassium hydroxide as an electrolyte.
> It is not dissimilar to liquid Drano. The safety hazards are about the
> same. A key hazard that is not readily apparent is that the potassium
> hydroxide electrolyte produces hydrogen gas when it comes in contact with
> aluminum. (This reaction also produces quite a bit of heat.) Thus, battery
> boxes for flooded NiCad batteries must NOT be made of aluminum. They must
> be made from stainless steel, nickel, Lexan, or some other material that
> does not react chemically with potassium hydroxide, but is mechanically
> suitable to contain the batteries and electrolyte in a wreck. Also, parts
> of the vehicle that are adjacent to the battery box must not be made of
> aluminum as they might come in contact with battery electrolyte dripping or
> spraying from a damaged battery box after an accident.
>
> _ /| Bill "Wisenheimer" Dube'
> \'o.O' <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> =(___)=
> U
> Check out the bike -> http://www.KillaCycle.com
Two points:
The amount of free KOH in a HIGH power NIcad battery is quite minimal
compared to a Flooded PbA. In fact once discharged most of the liquid
dissapears, and is not available to leak. It's a solid of some form.
Eric's Jr dragster, is being engineered to Look like a Jr Dragster, but
have all the nifty go fast parts that a full on NEDRA record hunter
wants. IT Aint some kids toy.
With a lack of clear power and chemistry limits... the sky's the limit.
JCs, Boulders, and NIcads. Under 96 volts... and the rest is Free???
It appears that the HIGH power Mil Spec and Comercial Chopper NIcads,
are rated to 1200 and 1500 amps. This is What they are made for. All but
the nastiest Zilla won't even stress them. So these batteries have a
rather slim chance of exploding at these power levels.
These would be used within thier specs. Not like the SVR where we are
killing them on every run. We take these to the Short circuit ratings,
and beyond. AS you well know Bill.
The Stainless box vented to the Atmophere, and NOT into the drivers
compartment Should be a NEDRA inspection point on KOH baatteries. This
also meets NHRA's rules to the letter. NHRA really doesn't get picky
about Battery chemistry, as long as the battery compartment is Sealed
and vented outside the drivers area.
NEDRA needs to have a clear and fair guide rules on how to deal with
advanced Battery chemistry, and What the basic concepts are. WE should
be leading this not NHRA.
It's clear to me that a 5 Kw bike with Lion, is in a different class of
safety issues that a 500 Kw record hunter with 1000 lbs of some kinda
battery that may not be Sealed Lead acid. Restricting the fast guys to
lead acid is a Death knel. It's what keeps the spirt of new bold
experiments alive. Restricting the Ev Hydros to 144 basicly killed the
sport. Lets not let this happen again.
Since Dennis Kilowatt Berube is NON NEDRA, We don't have much to talk
about. Let him Battle NHRA for Nicads.
The Jr. Dragster is a issue that is getting rather clouded. Wife driving
in a under 18 Class? What??? That is not Jr. in my mind. A 8 inch being
fed by a 1200 amp controller. ??? This is a comp Bike drive train in
sheep's clothing. JCs and now Military NiCads in the Jr. class.???
Wasn't this supposed to be THE safe entry level class for the kids????
In my not so humble opion let the full on record hunters go for the
NiCads, but Stainless battery boxes, NHRA spec cages, and battery boxes,
and top of the line swtich gear. AND you bring your own Clean up crew,
and gear.
But the Jr Dragsters need to be regulated for your 12 year old
Daughter. Not Ma in a Nomex suit.
That means to me Sealed lead acid, 96 volts. AND a controller of some
kind. NOT contactor controlled, and NO bypass. Boring and safe, like
it's supposed to be. The speeds need to be right in the same league as
the Gas powered Brigs engines give. Any more and it's somthing Else Not
Jr.
--
Rich Rudman
Manzanita Micro
www.manzanitamicro.com
1-360-297-7383,Cell 1-360-620-6266
