Summary for nickel plated aluminum foil tabs Discussion
Nickel plated aluminum foil tabs for battery connections are the focus keyphrase here, and Eric Taada asked how to join 30 lithium polymer batteries for an electric bicycle without damaging the thin foil or exceeding the battery’s 70 °C brief temperature limit. He was concerned about vibration, the lack of inert gas or pulse welding, and whether soldering nickel would be practical. In the only answer shown, the responder says the job does not necessarily require exotic equipment, but it does require the right flux. The answer also notes that if the foil were tin plated, soldering would be easier. No detailed procedure is given, and no one recommends a specific soldering method beyond that general guidance.
Q. I am about to connect 30 8-AmpHour Lithium Polymer batteries together for an electric bicycle. The 5 mm wide nickel plated Aluminum foil tabs used for connection have me worried. This will be a high vibration environment. I have no experience soldering nickel. The solder and flux should not compromise the few thou of Aluminum foil beneath. The decision to connect to harness or PC board has yet to be made. As these batteries go for $50 each any experience shared will be appreciated. The vendors spec only allows for 70 °C briefly at the battery. I will not expect to have access to an inert gas or pulse welding facilities.
Thank you,
Eric Taada
Just a lazy peddler – St Petersburg, Florida, US
2004
A. Hi Eric. I don’t think it requires exotic equipment, just the right flux. But if the foil were tin plated the soldering would be easier.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
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May 2018