Playa dust eats golf cart batteries?

Ideas, advice, tips, and tricks regarding the building and creation of mutant vehicles in Black Rock City
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SirSlackworthy
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Playa dust eats golf cart batteries?

Post by SirSlackworthy » Thu Jul 10, 2008 7:44 am

Some friends want to bring a golf cart / mutant vehicle but the person who could lend it to them refused because he is convinced that the alkali dust will neutralize the acid in the batteries and it won't work.

Doesn't make sense to me. I assume the batteries are sealed, and people seem to be using batteries to good effect for various purposes. But they feel they need to present some "expert advice" before getting an OK on the cart.

They are very experienced with photovoltaics, the vehicle will have PV panels attached for continuous daytime charging, so that's not much of a concern.

The batteries will work OK, won't they?
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RegRad
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Wrap it with cling wrap!

Post by RegRad » Thu Jul 10, 2008 7:50 am

Yes the battery is sealed... his concern is unfounded....
If you really wanted to be sure, you could wrap the battery in cling wrap several times over and that would surely keep playa dust out! :D
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bdeywoo
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Post by bdeywoo » Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:20 am

Batteries will work fine, but your going to be charging that thing a whole bunch and you will run out of juice somewhere.

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Post by mdmf007 » Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:32 am

This guy is just looking for an excuse to NOT loan out his beloved golf cart.

Batteries are sealed with caps at a minimum on lead acid, and closed completely on gel and other styles.

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gyre
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Post by gyre » Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:37 am

they make devices that convert standard caps to sealed and recycle the fluid.
They are on the expensive side, but are supposed to be effective.

It is too dangerous to seal the battery area airtight, but extra filtering is okay if that would ease the concerns.
I think the concern is nil.

They could contact Exide or Optima if they want confirmation.
They could also bring their own batteries.
They may want a spare set anyway, depending on use.

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theCryptofishist
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Post by theCryptofishist » Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:39 am

The alkalai dust is hard on electronics, but that's in the corrusion of the wires long time after off playa sense. They are right about the golf cart needing a lot of charging and that it will run out of juice at some inconvenient time. Also, golf carts all have the same key, meaning that unauthorized borrowing may occur.
Putting together an artcar/mutant vehicle takes a lot of time and money. Most ac/mv creators aren't going to be happy about loaning out their baby.
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gyre
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Post by gyre » Thu Jul 10, 2008 11:38 am

You definitely need to secure any vehicle.

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Post by Barbie » Thu Jul 10, 2008 11:50 am

Don't borrow anything from people who are to to to worried about IT-or that you can't replace...
(what ever IT is)

I saw on Craig's List in Seattle Golf Carts going for 500 dollars said they ran great-(maybe check list for your area) If you get a group of people to go in on IT no worries at ALL...
You may want to refer to the starting a MV with a GOLF cart Thread...
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capjbadger
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Post by capjbadger » Thu Jul 10, 2008 12:14 pm

First off, the time to apply to bring a mutant vehicle is past.

Second, no, the dust will not kill the battery. Abuse (over heating, over/under charging, etc) will, but not the dust.
People have been bringing battery powered vehicles out there for years. The batteries will be fine.

He's just looking for an excuse to not loan it out.

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Marscrumbs
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Batteries on the playa.

Post by Marscrumbs » Thu Jul 10, 2008 12:22 pm

You could tell him that you will be borrowing somebody else's alkaii batteries for the week.

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Post by SirSlackworthy » Fri Jul 11, 2008 6:08 am

capjbadger wrote:First off, the time to apply to bring a mutant vehicle is past.

He's just looking for an excuse to not loan it out.

Badger
They did already apply to the DMV and was approved, reportedly.

I suspect that you may be right about the excuse idea, though.

My friends who made the request are in AZ so WTF. I think due to their live / work situation their net access is a bit limited. I'll pass along all your excellent ideas and advice.

What a kind and helpful bunch. Thanx guys!

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