![\"IMG_0288.jpg\"](\"http:\/\/www.corbinstreehouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/IMG_0288.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nI didn’t order the hardware to save some money; I figured I could make my own straps and copper bus bars. Plus, the configuration they come strapped in wouldn’t work for what I was previously planning.<\/p>\n
I took some 1\/8″ aluminum to make as end plates for the cells. The cells have to be tightly compressed, as they expand during use.<\/p>\n
I bought on ebay a Mini Polyester Strapping Kit 5\/8″ x .040″+seals + tools for $80 + $20 shipping. 1600 lbs breaking strength. Those should be plenty strong enough. Unfortunately the tensioning mechanism wasn’t working! I took the thing apart and realized it was put together wrong by the manufacturer — I had to flip a little ratcheting mechanism to get it to work right. I then strapped the cells into packs of 5 for the front battery pack (more on that design later):<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nHere’s all three cell groups for the front pack:
\n<\/a>
\nThe right most group has a little handled on top so I can move it around. Aaron gave me an idea on how I can use some climbing webbing and make it look nicer and less obtrusive. I need to have a strong handle that I can use to drop the cells into the battery box, and also use it to lift them out.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"