resistance of brass strip

I want to make a battery tester. I am in the UK.

I'll use a fixed metal sheet which I will press the positive stud of a cell on. (A meter probe will go to the other end.)

(1) I tried an aluminium sheet for the metal but it didn't make good contact possibly on account of repeated re-tarnishing.

(2) I'm considering a metal strip like the contacts on a 1289 (3LR12) battery:

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However I think the strips are and when I look at the electrical conductivity of brass it seems quite poor compared to copper. If brass is really a poor conductor then why is it used on a battery?

(3) What alternative material could I use? Perhaps a plated metal sheet of some sort?

Reply to
Parl
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Proably mechanical properties - it is nicer to machine than copper

Brass would be OK until it tarnishes, at which point you would need to clean it with sandpaper. Brass is a very poor conductor compared to copper, but for a few amps it is OK, e.g. the pins of 13 Amp plugs are brass. Nickel-plated brass or copper, or bare stainless steel (which is impractical to soft-solder under normal circumstances) may be more resistant to corrosion and tarnishing, or gold would be ideal - either as a plating or solid depending on budget.

Chris

Reply to
Chris Jones

Alloys are going to have lower conductivity than pure metals. Electrons scatter from defects (crystal disorder). But usually alloys are good enough. Even a thick nichrome is likely to be good enough for your purpose. Tin/lead solder is a poor conductor, but because it melts at a low temperature, it is used to provide good connections in electronic equipment,

Bill

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Reply to
Salmon Egg

Use might try brass with a blob (pad) of soft solder where you want to touch the battery - it will be soft enough to break any tarnish each time you use it. In your application the higher resistance of the brass compared to copper will be completely negligable. Cheers, Roger

Reply to
Engineer

Tin plated copper strip is also available out there in various gauges.

Tinning the attachment hole will kill any tarnish problems.

Silver Plated Copper wire works real good as a conductor too. ;-)

Reply to
Bart!

Put a blob of high silver content silver solder on your brass or copper

Reply to
F Murtz

The amount of brass involved isn't going to make much difference from copper contacts. It is a very small part of the total circuit resistance. The advantage of brass is that it is harder and wont deform when you slot a battery between the contacts. In addition, it is going to allow a higher contact pressure and wiping of the surface each time you put the battery in place. This wiping is the important factor as it cleans the contact surface.

Where a brass contact is iffy is in the mv or lower range. As an example, consider a modern AC 120V 15A switch (which is rather poor in wiping compared to a DC rated switch). In an application for a gas fireplace using a millivolt source, it works well- for a while - then contact problems occur (this doesn't happen with a 12V automotive switch) which has good wiping action) - and, my personal experience is that a nickel plated 120V AC switch (a bit more expensive and also non-wiping) works well for a much longer time- how long- I don't know as after about 10 years, there have been no problems where 6 months with a brass non wiping contact gave problems. Note: nickel has roughly twice the resistivity of brass so the advantage is due to less of a surface film. So you don't want to simply press the battery contact to the brass plate but put it on with a rubbing action as in most chargers or battery holders.

Don Kelly snipped-for-privacy@shawcross.ca remove X to reply

Reply to
Don Kelly

s.

HMPH! SOUNDS ALL TOO DUBIOUS

I AM PROTEUS

Reply to
proteusiiv

What an idiot like you knows about metallurgy would fit on the tip of a molecular probe.

Reply to
Archimedes' Lever

What an idiot like you knows about metallurgy would fit on the tip of a molecular probe.

Reply to
Archimedes' Lever

You mean, as a troll you know about anything????

Reply to
Sjouke Burry

a

BY YOUR TRACK RECORD WITH OTHERS HERE I HAVE DETERMINDED THAT THAT IS ABOUT THE SIZE OF YOUR HEART TOO

I AM PROTEUS

Reply to
proteusiiv

Sure you have.

Reply to
Archimedes' Lever

I HAVE ALSO SPECIFIED THE ELEMENTS AND THEIR PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS INTO DESIGN PARAMETERS WITH FUNCTIONAL EXPANSIONS AND EXPECTATIONS

THIS BRASS STRIP CONUNDRUM IS PETTY TO ME AND HAS LONG RESOLVED

I AM PROTEUS

Reply to
proteusiiv

Quote and post the proof of this claim. Roy never corrected any person in this group.

Also, you have no clue who I am as many hate you here, and you have pooled them al together, thinking they are all one person. You are a complete idiot.

What happened to your WebTardTV account, boy?

Oh... that's right... they did not like the horseshit you post either!

If google did not have so many like you being abusive, your account with them would already be gone as well.

It isn't that hard, considering the stupid crap you post.

Reply to
Archimedes' Lever

Ignore the idiot.

Reply to
Archimedes' Lever

A troll calling somebody an idiot???? How curious....

Reply to
Sjouke Burry

All he ever heard from his parents was the word idiot.

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Reply to
Michael A. Terrell

Mike the ditz thinks he is educating folks that are smart enough to have broadband and be here to see his posts.

That logic is so stupid. You have outdone yourself yet again, Ditzoid.

Reply to
Bart!

hide

ytime

or

YOU ASSIST TROLLS YOU ARE A TROLLS ASS

I AM PROTEUS

Reply to
proteusiiv

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