Battery Terminals

John M · Feb 28, 2017

First, let me say I'm not a big fan of those cable ends that you basically clamp down to battery cables to connect to the battery, but my son is in a predicament with his truck, and Dad just can function enough to help right now. His positive cable terminal broke in out attempt to get it loose to change the battery last night. We did put one of those cheapo ends on it to get him to and from work, and he doesnt have the money right now, or the time, to change the whole cable(s). Is there something you guys use other than those cheap ends that would be OK to use for a year or so, WORSE CASE, and something that will hold up? It would have to come from either Napa or one of the chain stores.

Russ from MN · Feb 28, 2017

If you smear it with contact paste or even heavy grease it will probably work for quite awhile, I mean the wires before you put them in the clamp. I'm sure others have more experience with them.

centash · Feb 28, 2017

Properly installed, those clamp on ends can last lot longer than a year. You can try to solder them on for a better connection. Ben

Olfolks · Feb 28, 2017

john, see if napa or one the other stores has aan end that u solder on get one and a piece of heat shrink that's how we fix them here at work is as good as the factory end and 100% better than the get u home ends as u already know

Jim in NC · Feb 28, 2017

John I use them alot with all these old tractors. A good coating of grease that has been mentioned will make them last a long time. I have used the heavier solder type too, but the clamp on cables are easier for me.

Steve@Advance · Feb 28, 2017

Some of the better auto supplies and truck supplies have crimp on ends.

You can remove the cable, cut the old end off, thoroughly clean the wire/wires.

Take it in and they can crimp on a new end, heat shrink it to seal it. Permanent fix.

Bret4207 · Feb 28, 2017

There are heavy duty options that use set screws or there are the solder on repair types. But FWIW, a normal clamp type will work fine if you get things clean and tight.

John M · Feb 28, 2017

Removing the cable(s) is not an option right now, and besides if we did that, I would just have him replace the cable instead of having a new end put on the old cable(s), but yes, I had thought of that Steve. As for the rest of the responses, I too have used them in the past, and I think my 154 still has one on it since its a real pain to change that cable. My plan is to get one of the heavy duty type ends, since there are actually 2 wires on the current end. One goes to the starter, the other to the fuse box. Im just not sure one of those will hold both wires securely in the clamp. Thanks guys.

John M · Feb 28, 2017

I saw the ones with setscrews, but I was under the impression those were for like accessory type deals where a second battery was
used, like for those fellers with boom boom radios and stuff. Are they rated for starting?

Hobo,NC · Feb 28, 2017

(quoted from post at 18:39:10 02/28/17)
There are heavy duty options that use set screws or there are the solder on repair types. But FWIW, a normal clamp type will work fine if you get things clean and tight.

Set screw ends are just as problematic as the clamp on ends BTDT.

john in la · Feb 28, 2017

Ask for a zinc battery terminal rather than the cheap lead terminals.
May not be on the shelf but most any auto parts store will have it in stock in the back.
They come in regular car size or you can get a heavy duty fleet size.

Geo-TH,In · Feb 28, 2017

John,
I was given a lifetime supply of a grease used on electrical wires to prevent oxidation. I don't know what's in it, but I put it all over all my battery terminals and any clamped on battery terminals.

You can buy oxidation grease at auto store, usually a little pricey but I find it works.

I also find less oxidation with AGM batteries and side mount batteries. geo

Hobo,NC · Feb 28, 2017

Ask around someone local should have the tools and the ends to do a proper repair. A good crimpper and supply of repair ends will set you back 5 to $1000 that's why you will not see many shops invest in a proper repair. Its also time consuming to perform a proper repair on the vehicle. Emergency/quick repairs are gonna bite you down the road and probably cause unneeded parts replacements and inconvenience issues when folks look over the the root cause the added connection of those repair ends. I would rate them as the #1 cause of starting/charging issues I see.

They are on my radar and the first thing that has to GO :!: I would wager haft of these left someone stranded and fetched me good money so why should I complain

550Doug · Feb 28, 2017

I use the clamp on ends because they can be easily repaired. I smother them with red liquid tape on the positive end and black liquid tape on the negative wire. The liquid tape is not as messy as grease because it dries as plastic.
Liquid tape

NoNewParts · Feb 28, 2017

if you [b:f59059be53]have[/b:f59059be53] to use one.......
Like said, grease it up with whatever you prefer.
make sure you get the bare cable in there far enough...
make sure the bare cable end isn't too small for the clamp..if the clamp bottoms out too early, it ain't holding anything.

I turn that little clamp plate upside down, makes it harder to get everything assembled, but it will squeeze much harder.

Those little cable clamp bolts gotta be tight....like one more ounce of pressure will break/strip it tight..

most important...using one, you have changed the cable from an install and forget it part..into a maintenance item, check, clean, and tighten regularly.

and lastly.....throw a 7/16 wrench in the glove compartment or toolbox

jon f mn · Feb 28, 2017

I hope those clamp on ends aren't as bad as all you say, just about everything I own has them. Lol.

moresmoke · Feb 28, 2017

I buy the crimp on ends and solder them to the cables. The cable needs to be clean. Liquid soldering flux from a welding supply is best.

sms · Feb 28, 2017

You can buy brass clamp on ends that are stronger to get a good bite on the cable, then grease it.

Ken Macfarlane · Feb 28, 2017

Local auto parts store will bring their crimper out to the parking lot and crimp a new end on for you and heat shrink the little seal in place. It's only 5$ per end.

jeffcat · Feb 28, 2017

You will also find that the positive and negative terminals are different sizes. The positive has a larger terminal hole.

jacksun65 · Feb 28, 2017

I use a brass clamp on with a bolt type end and a brass crimp on then solder it.

JimKS · Feb 28, 2017

ORileys sell a replacement end that has a short cable so the repair is not made at the terminal. I use these much easier than replacing the whole cable. Many times on wire connections I double the end over to fill the connector for better contact.

Jim

gab · Feb 28, 2017

It's not the best but I temporarily had one of those on my old pickup for about 15 years. Spray some terminal protector on it now and then.

Hobo,NC · Feb 28, 2017

(quoted from post at 20:19:26 02/28/17) I hope those clamp on ends aren't as bad as all you say, just about everything I own has them. Lol.

As you can see I luv'em each one represents $$$ to me good money at that its a confirmed kill and a EZ sale.

Rich'sToys · Feb 28, 2017

(quoted from post at 09:19:26 02/28/17) I hope those clamp on ends aren't as bad as all you say, just about everything I own has them. Lol.

They work fine. Obviously the correct police don't care for them. Like anything else, if properly looked after, nothing to worry about.

Tim in OR · Feb 28, 2017

Those clamp-on cable ends work in a pinch. They do however give more places for corrosion. I have witnessed 2 times where a starter was replaced, only to find out the new one didn't work either. A quick check with a test light proved to the victims that the problem was a dirty connection where the cable was clamped into the connector. If you use them, you need to keep them "clean, tight, and bright, inside and out.
Tim in OR

mj · Feb 28, 2017

(quoted from post at 07:28:10 02/28/17) if you [b:0252767401]have[/b:0252767401] .......................
and lastly.....throw a 7/16 wrench in the glove compartment or toolbox

Unless you need a 1/2 or 9/16" for the particular clamp that you end up with!

A terminal puller would be helpful, also.

DENNIS MIN · Feb 28, 2017

John M,

I use a hybrid method. I cut and clean he cable then solder a copper lug to the cable end. I then buy one of these. That way I can replace it for a few bucks if it decides to go bad.

Cheap, clean long-lasting, effective. My distantly related nephew was surprised we did not buy th 116 dollaer new positive battery cable set. Go it done for 15 tops.

D.

SVcummins · Mar 1, 2017

I run quarter inch bolts up through the bottom of the end put the top plate on then use nuts and washers to clamp the cable down tight

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