I have a device that runs off SLA batteries that needs to be charged in a dirty environment. There is a possibility that the circuit may be shorted by accident during the charging cycle (this is unavoidable and must be protected against from a safety standpoint). I know that the smart chargers we are using will be able to handle the short but I'm worried about the batteries themselves shorting out.
I thought about a simple diode inline but with a 15A charging current I'm worried about heat buildup on the diode. Also, I don't know how the smart chargers will react to a diode inline when it expects only batteries (i am making the assumption that the smart charger wont see the diode).
What is the best way to protect the batteries from a short circuit in this situation?