I tried spot welding the cells this morning, (
actually, I tried to setup my DIY spot welder using my car battery, a solenoid, and a momentary push button). I tested the spot welder on two small strips of nickel. At first I couldn't get the solenoid to work, then I couldn't get the DIY spot welder to "weld" the nickel.
I figured out what was wrong with my circuit an got the solenoid working, but still couldn't "weld" the two nickel pieces together. I found out that there is a protective coating on the nickel, so I did what any logical person would do... I went outside and scraped it off on the side of the house (
brick exterior).
I finally got the DIY spot welder to work, but my car battery is supplying WAY too much current. I burned a hole in the nickel. I am going to look into buying/sourcing some smaller 12v sealed lead acid batteries, (
ie. less amperage; less chance of burning a hole through the nickel).
I also picked up a 5mm thick yoga mat from Wal-Mart for $14. I am going to use that to line the inside of the wooden box for cushion against the cells. I also bought Exterior wood primer/sealer for the wood box, and industrial grade adhesive to adhere the yoga mat to the wood (
after the sealer is applied).
I have to go to work soon, so I'll do this wood stuff tomorrow.