Thanks Tom and Ron for the comments,
Tom, I'll have to try to measure the resistance on the whole assembly and see what it is.
Interesting thing about that formula, it doesn't hurt you as much at higher voltages.
For 12v:
- amps - loose 10 watts out of 120 or 12%.
- amps - loose 40 watts out of 240 or 16%.
- amps - loose 90 watts out of 360 or 25%.
For 24v:
- amps - loose 10 watts out of 240 or 4%.
- amps - loose 40 watts out of 480 or 8%.
- amps - loose 90 watts out of 720 or 12.5%.
For 48v:
- amps - loose 10 watts out of 480 or 2%.
- amps - loose 40 watts out of 960 or 4%.
- amps - loose 90 watts out of 1440 or 6%
It makes one seriously consider higher voltage systems.
Ron, Yes, the copper pipe is a better solution in some ways. I originally did build a prototype that used copper pipe, but I found that I couldn't get it in the size I needed for this setup from local sources. Even 2" was difficult to come by and I needed an odd size above that.
Winchargers relied on rings that weren't appreciably thicker than the copper sheeting I used, and that was for a 6 volt system. The only real difference is the joint, which I don't like. But sometimes you compromise to get something done.
chuck
