Art car advice

Egopogo · Post by **Egopogo** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 7:21 am

Howdy,

Just putting the finishing touches on our art car that is built on an electric golf cart when it occurred to us that the playa dust might be a problem.
Can you give some us some advice as to the effect of the playa dust on the battery terminal contacts, well all electrical contacts really; will it be a significant problem? And will it have any effect on the drive belt? Would a skid plate be advisable? And if there are any unforeseen issues that we have not listed, could you please fill us in?

Thank you for your kind attention,
See you at the burn!

oneeyeddick · Post by **oneeyeddick** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 9:10 am

The corrosion won't happen instantly on Playa, but you will notice it within a few weeks after bringing it home if you don't take care of it.

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 9:58 am

Certain doom is your lot.

plumblove · Post by **plumblove** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 10:25 pm

You won't need a skidplate. And the belt drive from my experience is not a problem either. Remember to bring a spare tire.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri Jun 04, 2010 7:20 am

You can use silicone dielectric grease on contacts.

There are lesser approaches that work too, though that is best.
Even vaseline has been used on battery terminals.

Silicone grease is available in small tubes to larger jars, which is more reasonable.
This has no relation to silicone caulk.
It is the same thing as heat sink compound, I think.

Electronics supply houses for the best price.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri Jun 04, 2010 7:30 am

If you want to get serious about it, silicone conformal coating can be used on motor windings, etc, if they aren't well enough protected as built.
It's the clear coat on better circuit boards.

Heat shrink can be really useful and is made in everything up to teflon.
I like irradiated pvc myself.
It is only available in black though.

Look at what is done to bring electrics to marine standards.
Most companies have car stereos in marine grades now too.

There are even connectors in marine grade.

Does anyone know if nickel and chrome react to the playa or withstand it?
I have some that are plated even internally for salt, but some materials are worse on nickel than other things.
Hubbell makes the good ones, but doesn't even label them.
There are plastic versions too.

Elliot · Post by **Elliot** » Sat Jun 05, 2010 8:43 pm

Egopogo.... Something makes me want to ask if you have received your invitation from the Burning Man Department Of Mutant Vehicles to bring this thing to the Playa?