Yes, all 4 battery modules, weighing 17.2 kg each, sit inside an enclosure made of clear polycarbonate. The front and rear panels are 4.5 mm while the left and right sides are 3 mm. There's a selt tapping stainless steel screw every 40 mm or so, so it's pretty rigid.I apologize if you've answered this earlier in the thread. But can you confirm, is the final draft of the battery case going to remain polycarbonate? If so, is that strong enough? And how is it mounted/secured to the frame?
I'm considering polycarbonate box in some sort of steel "cage" for a future build, looking for insight.
Oh, so the way you've joined the PC panel corners together is with fasteners? I was reading about solvent welding polycarbonate, but if you think the joints are tight enough if you use self tappers, I'll certainly take that under consideration. I usually prefer mechanical methods over chemical.There's a selt tapping stainless steel screw every 40 mm or so, so it's pretty rigid.
From this description, it sounds like the polycarbontate case is resting within a steel frame, rather than being fastened to it. Which is probably the best way if you're using plastic structurally. It's what I had imagined, nice to hear you confirming it.It is also held in position by mounts made of angle aluminium, within the chassis.
3M is going to stop making Novec in 2025 so prices have been going up.I have looked into it - Novec looks to be the most viable fluid, but it ain't cheap. It also leaks through gaps and seals like crazy, in part to its very low viscosity. I'd never use water - way too risky. I'm not sure if the polycarb enclosure would satisfactorily constrain the fluid, or would it cause any stress points to continue to grow.