Strip insulation from terminals of sub-C battery cells
#1
08-17-20, 11:54 AM
Member
Thread Starter
Strip insulation from terminals of sub-C battery cells
Hi All.
I've bought 12 sub-C cells to rebuild the battery pack of a home appliance, a Roomba floor vacuum cleaner robot. It should be fairly straightforward to solder the cells end-to-end in series, then to the battery pack's internal terminal leads. But I've hit a small snag.
Is there a smart, quick way to remove the insulation on the terminals? I can see it's there for a good reason: some users might want to remove only part of it, depending on the kind of connection that want to make. For me though, I might as well remove it all, since the shell of the battery pack will provide adequate insulation and there'll be nothing else in contact with which to make a 'random' connection / short circuit. The black rubber / plastic insulation covering the terminals seems to be on tight, and it's fixed to the cell body where the terminal attaches: it won't just pull off – see photo.
Any ideas gratefully received. Thanks!
I've bought 12 sub-C cells to rebuild the battery pack of a home appliance, a Roomba floor vacuum cleaner robot. It should be fairly straightforward to solder the cells end-to-end in series, then to the battery pack's internal terminal leads. But I've hit a small snag.
Is there a smart, quick way to remove the insulation on the terminals? I can see it's there for a good reason: some users might want to remove only part of it, depending on the kind of connection that want to make. For me though, I might as well remove it all, since the shell of the battery pack will provide adequate insulation and there'll be nothing else in contact with which to make a 'random' connection / short circuit. The black rubber / plastic insulation covering the terminals seems to be on tight, and it's fixed to the cell body where the terminal attaches: it won't just pull off – see photo.
Any ideas gratefully received. Thanks!
#2
08-17-20, 12:38 PM
Looks like heat shrink tubing. try a razor knife to slit and remove. Note that these tabs tend to be made of stainless steel; takes a special flux to get solder to flow and stick.
Low Altitude voted this post useful.
#3
08-17-20, 12:39 PM
Most battery cells end caps are plated steel so solder doesn't stick well. You spot weld to them or use them in a battery holder with spring loaded contacts.
It looks like heat shrink tubing on your cells. I'd just cut it off with a box cutter knife. Run the sharp knife firmly down the length and peel the shrink tubing off.
It looks like heat shrink tubing on your cells. I'd just cut it off with a box cutter knife. Run the sharp knife firmly down the length and peel the shrink tubing off.
Low Altitude voted this post useful.
#4
08-17-20, 01:17 PM
Member
Thread Starter
Great thanks! Spot welding is a bit beyond my toolbox and ability, but I'll investigate the special flux for s/steel suggested by _telecoms guy_ Much appreciate your info, thanks.
#6
08-17-20, 09:39 PM
Group Moderator
The black shrink tubing is only on the leads for shipping purposes so they can't short.
The leads should be tin plated steel and standard resin core solder will be ok.
The leads should be tin plated steel and standard resin core solder will be ok.
Low Altitude voted this post useful.
#7
08-18-20, 09:29 AM
Member
Thread Starter
Oh, that's interesting. Bth points make perfect sense. I had wondered whether the shrink tubing was so firmly attached because some users might want to remove it only partly, for example to retain it on the outside and solder on the inside.
I'll have a go later today with my ordinary solder flux and see how I get on. I'll tin the contacts with a knife – it's pretty hard going, which is why I wondered earlier whether there was an easier way. Perhaps I just need a fresh blade!
Thanks again v much.
I'll have a go later today with my ordinary solder flux and see how I get on. I'll tin the contacts with a knife – it's pretty hard going, which is why I wondered earlier whether there was an easier way. Perhaps I just need a fresh blade!
Thanks again v much.
#8
08-18-20, 10:20 PM
Group Moderator
I'll tin the contacts with a knife
You can heat the shrink with a lighter. It will get soft and peel/slide right off.
