The Black Wire Disease - What's the Cause?
The black wire syndrome is an occupance in battery packs (Ni-Cds) where
the negative wire becomes corroded (turns from shinny copper to blue-black).
This is the result of either a shorted cell in the pack, the normal wearout
failure mode of Ni-Cds, or cell reversal when a pack is left under load
for an extended period. The sealing mechanism of a Ni-Cd cell depends to
some degree on maintaining a potential across the seal interface. Once
this potential goes to zero the cell undergoes what is called creep leakage.
With other cells in a pack at some potential above zero the leakage (electrolyte)
is "driven" along the negative lead. It can travel for some distance making
the wire impossible to solder and at the same time greatly reducing its
ability to carry current and even worse, makes the wire somewhat brittle.
A switch left on in a plane or transmitter for several months can cause
this creepage to go all the way to the switch itself, destroying the battery
lead as well as the switch harness. There is no cure. The effected lead,
connector, switch harness must be replaced.
This leakage creep takes time so periodic inspection of the packs, making
sure that there are no shorted cells insures against the problem. The cells
should also be inspected for any evidence of white powder (electrolyte
mixed with carbondioxide in the air to form potassium carbonate). In humid
conditions this can revert back to mobile electrolyte free to creep along
the negative lead. Some "salting" as this white powder is referred to,
does not necessarily mean that the cell has leaked. There may have been
some slight amount of residual electrolyte left on the cell during the
manufacturing process. This can be removed with simple household vinegar
and then washed with water after which it is dried by applying a little
warmth from your heat gun..
C. Scholefield 8/29/96 return to welcome page