A source of copper bolts, washers and nuts?

My batteries are currently removed from my solar system. I am rebuilding it in a battery box and trying to keep everything both neat and tidy but I noticed I had used galvanized bolts on my battery terminals. They are L shaped thick lead terminals with a bolt eye in them. I used a 12 mm bolt I think to basically carve out the lead and tap it to that size. Does anyone make tinned copper bolts and nuts? Also is a 2/0 battery interconnect cable thick enough for a system expected to use up to 150 amps? Very short cables. About 5 inches long. Thanks.

Comments

  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,431 admin
    From what I recall, copper on copper bolts and nuts are not really a good material selection.

    Research Silicon Bronze alloy bolts, washers and nuts. This (as I understand) is preferred for copper to copper connections.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • Xizang
    Xizang Registered Users Posts: 50 ✭✭
    Stainless steel seems to resist corrosion well.  Most regular hardware stores have a good selection.
  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Stainless with anti-size lube works well on battery terminals The SS threads will gall on each other, so you need some sort of lube on the threads to keep them from sizing.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

  • Johann
    Johann Solar Expert Posts: 245 ✭✭✭
    http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=copper+bolts
    I would use brass or bronze, copper bolts will stretch with heat and cold and you would need to torque every month.

    If i remember right, stainless steel has 17 times more resistance than copper has.
  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Johann : If i remember right, stainless steel has 17 times more resistance than copper has.
    You put the copper lug next to the terminal, and pinch them together with the SS hardware.   Don't rely on the SS to carry current,
    I use copper loaded grease at high power flat connections   http://www.mcmaster.com/#conductive-grease/=119vamr

    or the silver route:  cool-amp.com


    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,