Cut the bar to the proper length, and drill slightly-oversized holes at the correct distance for your batteries.
Optionally place heat-shrink tubing over the bare middle section, but ensure that it will not interfere with the
electrical connection.
Appendix G: Glossary
AC: Alternating current. In the context of this document, this means wall power (or shore power, in the
marine / RV parlance).
Balancing: The process of equalizing the voltages between series cells within a battery pack. This process
can be passive (as is the case with our BMS), or active.
BMS: Battery management system.
Bus bar: Short, thick pieces of metal that connect individual cells together within a battery pack. Ideally made
out of copper. Bus bars should be sized to the maximum expected current in the circuit, and should
always be fully tightened, and checked periodically.
CC/CV: Constant-current, constant-voltage. This is a topology of power supply with the ability to regulate
both current and voltage (though only one of these modes would be activated at a time). The supply
will have controls for both, usually knobs, that define the maximum voltage and current. When on, the
power supply will be in one of two modes: constant-current, or constant-voltage. Usually the mode
will be indicated by LEDs. When in constant-voltage mode, the voltage will be regulated, and the
current will vary depending on the load’s needs. When in constant-current mode, the current will be
regulated, and the voltage may vary depending on the load’s needs. These power supplies are
typically advertised as lab power supplies, and are typically used during the electronics prototyping
process. They’re great to have around, and have many uses. Every DIYer should consider having at
least one.
Cutoff: A feature of the BMS, which will disconnect the battery from the charger and/or load when an error
condition occurs.
Charge: When electric current is flowing into the batteries.
DC: Direct current. Batteries operate on direct current.
Discharge: When electric current is flowing out of the batteries, into the load.
Load: The portion of a circuit which consumes electric power. In this context of this document, a load is
typically the items that are being powered by the battery and/or solar panels (e.g. lights, cooking
equipment, computers, and phones).
Parallel: In the context of batteries, a parallel circuit is when multiple battery cells are connected with their
positive terminals connected together, and their negative terminals connected together. This increases
the current capacity of the battery, but not the voltage.
Self discharge: A battery’s natural tendency to lose charge over time, even when no load is applied. It is
caused by chemical reactions within the positive electrode, negative electrode, and/or the electrolyte.
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