OK, done wiring up 2 packs. I can't start the third pack yet because I underestimated the number of all-threads I needed. I'll grab some more tomorrow. I did an electrical insulation test and found unexpected results. The two all-threads build up a potential of about 6 volts across them. Odd, I thought. I took a small strand of wire (to act as a fuse if needed) and shorted them out. The voltage across the two dropped to 0 (as it should), and the fuse didn't blow. Next, I took an ammeter and shorted the two to measure the current, first in the 10A range, which showed 0A. I then dropped down and down until finally I was in the 200uA range and read 20uA. This is an incredibly small amount of power and would take 370 years to deplete a single cell, so I let it slide. My guess as to what's happening is the rods are runnning between the lower and upper voltage cells, so they're picking up the charge from the batteries they're near, thus creating a capacitor. I used rubber washers between each pack of 8 cells, so there isn't any risk of shorting......unless there's user error. I accidentally crossed my Leatherman across the terminals and it put two nice pits in it.
...I also accidently shorted a ground to a test lead and it instantly incinerated. 14 gauge wire, glowing red hot, gone like it never existed in the first place. Man these things drive a lot of current!
