Amended General Rule BATTERY SAFETY

bretts · #1 22-11-2007

My appologies if this is a double post (i have done a quick search), but I've just been sent this.

Amended General Rule BATTERY SAFETY

19/11/2007

This amended rule is to be included in the BRCA general rules with immediate effect.

The addition wording to rule 4.

Safety in General Rules to read.

"In the interest of safety, any battery packs(s) carried on a model car, must be able to be disconnected
quickly without the use of tools in an emergency. Direct soldering is not allowed"

The above rule which has been agreed by a postal vote to all Executive Committee Members and is of a
safety issue will take immediate effect

Signed
Mick Hill
BRCA Secretary

http://www.brca.org/BRCA/News/Amende...Y%20SAFETY.htm

glypo · #2 22-11-2007

Certainly seems fair enough, most connectors like Deans, Corally and Power Poles have virtually no resistance so shouldn't affect anyone and will increase safety

ashleyb4 · #3 22-11-2007

thats goodnews all inthe nameof safety

Carl better get soem corrallys.

A

bert digler · #4 22-11-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashleyb4

thats goodnews all inthe nameof safety

Carl better get soem corrallys.

A

it shocks me that this rule was not enforced from day one of the brca or was it an issue never raised before i remember 1200sc,s bursting into flames so its not a recent problem

Doomanic · #5 22-11-2007

That's me not racing at the weekend then.

Seems like a knee-jerk reaction to me.
I have seen cells that exploded when not plugged in so connectors will make little difference.
If the cells are looking like they are about to explode then I'm not going anywhere near them, I certainly wouldn't even entertain the notion of getting my hands close enough to unplug them!

In my experience, connectors are only useful as a safety measure when a speedo goes tits up.

Andrew Simpson · #6 22-11-2007

err i thought everyone used connectors anyway??!!

xx4-nutter · #7 22-11-2007

dom u iant racing cos of that ?

you must have some corallys kicking around ?

Doomanic · #8 22-11-2007

I do, but I doubt I can find the time.
My brushless speedo is at a mate's house and I won't get it back until Sunday morning and I may need to rewire it anyway.
I also need to change my batteries to fit into my X-5.

It was looking decidedly dodgy before, even worse now.

Besides, if it rains I'll be in the van, sulking!

RogerM · #9 22-11-2007

Dom,

I'll do your cells for you mate ...... you can glue my tires ... that way both of us should get to finish a race!!!!

PaulRotheram · #10 22-11-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doomanic

That's me not racing at the weekend then.

Seems like a knee-jerk reaction to me.
I have seen cells that exploded when not plugged in so connectors will make little difference.
If the cells are looking like they are about to explode then I'm not going anywhere near them, I certainly wouldn't even entertain the notion of getting my hands close enough to unplug them!

In my experience, connectors are only useful as a safety measure when a speedo goes tits up.

I think this is for safety reasons, for which you said - when a car is on fire, or a problem with the car occurs.. esc failure, battery failure etc.

I think this is a great move, and i've said many a times.. if a car comes to me which cant be stopped due to soldered wires, it'l be getting chucked away from me.

bert digler · #11 22-11-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulRotheram

I think this is for safety reasons, for which you said - when a car is on fire, or a problem with the car occurs.. esc failure, battery failure etc.

I think this is a great move, and i've said many a times.. if a car comes to me which cant be stopped due to soldered wires, it'l be getting chucked away from me.

ive never soldered direct no point really also yes you can isolate a car with plugs a like wise if it is soldered turn it on its roof and let it burn i like my fingers

ashleyb4 · #12 22-11-2007

but dom it is also good as lots of people will want to buy connectors

A

losixxx · #13 22-11-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doomanic

I also need to change my batteries to fit into my X-5.

thought you'd learnt your lesson first time round!

mind you suppose it was easier than trying to salvage your xx4

MattW · #14 22-11-2007

To be fair, this is more aimed at ESC/Motor failures, as an exploding cell has it's own disconnection method!! Even a fried ESC usually melts the solder off the soldering posts/wires.

It's a little frustrating personally, as i do solder cells in. At the end of the day though, it doesn't make a real difference.

bigred5765 · #15 22-11-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashleyb4

thats goodnews all inthe nameof safety

Carl better get soem corrallys.

A

then i guess we will buy one set of deans add them inline
so it can be unpluged, but still solder to cells,

glypo · #16 23-11-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattW

It's a little frustrating personally, as i do solder cells in. At the end of the day though, it doesn't make a real difference.

It does make a difference. Fair enough I understand that this rule may not protect against batteries exploding, but it protects against anything else. If a car had something smoking from it, safest bet it to unplug the battery and leave it alone to cool down before inspecting. Simply not possible with direct soldered battery. I have had personally some IB4200 problems, where one or two of the cells in the battery started venting very loudly. Fortunately a marshal noticed this (I didn't!) and unplugged the car. If I had no plugs, would have made that impossible.

Also connectors will save everyone time, simple to connect and disconnect battery. Direct soldering really helps so little in terms of resistance advantage, as connectors are so effcient anyway. Not sure what the problem really is? Surely anything in the name of safety is worth while, as if anything is deemed unsafe the hobby will start to disappear.

Doomanic · #17 23-11-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by losixxx

thought you'd learnt your lesson first time round!

mind you suppose it was easier than trying to salvage your xx4

Nope, and yes.

Quote:

Direct soldering really helps so little in terms of resistance advantage, as connectors are so effcient anyway. Not sure what the problem really is?

I direct solder as it removes the risk of cells coming accidently unplugged, which was a real problem for me when using Corally connectors.
It looks like Shrek has hit the nail on the head with a solution though, I will fit a Deans connector inline and still solder to the cells. As an added bonus, it will make it easier to swap the speedo between cars.

Col · #18 23-11-2007

Quote:

then i guess we will buy one set of deans add them inline
so it can be unpluged, but still solder to cells,

Quote:

I will fit a Deans connector inline and still solder to the cells

Never in my life have I heard anything more ridiculous! 2 "respected" members of our hobby are going to cut their speedo wire, solder in some deans-corrallys and then not bother to use the nice shiney new conector, just so you can solder direct onto cells? How pathetic

mark christopher · #19 23-11-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Col

Never in my life have I heard anything more ridiculous! 2 "respected" members of our hobby are going to cut their speedo wire, solder in some deans-corrallys and then not bother to use the nice shiney new conector, just so you can solder direct onto cells? How pathetic

got to agree why put a connecter in and then still not use it

ben · #20 23-11-2007

Just out of interest what is to be gained by soldering your cells in anyway? Because i havent had a corally fall out before.

lil ben