I am planning to upgrade my battery cables, and I'm wondering what would be the best style of clamp/connector to hook my new battery cables up to the batt posts. I'll be running at least 4 cables off of my positive battery terminal, which is a consideration, especially as they will be 2AWG and 4AWG. I currently have the thick lead clamps on my wimpy stock cables, but I'm considering steel clamps.
Best battery terminal connectors?
- Thread starter T3hk1w1
- Start date
5-90
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Hammerspace
T3hk1w1 said:
Steel corrodes more than lead, and don't even get me started on those stoopid "lead free" clamps you see on Japanese cars...
Why for are you running the additional leads off of your battery? Knowing more might help with cleaning up your battery terminals a bit (from a wiring POV,) and simplify matters for you somewhat. Simple is good...
Yay, 5-90 
First off, there are 2 factory leads from the positive battery cable. I plan to add a power lead to a winch , and a power lead to an auxilary fuse box such as this one from Painless wiring. (Specifically to prevent having dozens of small wires running to my battery)
http://www.painlessperformance.com/webcatalog/largeview.php?SearchField=70207
First off, there are 2 factory leads from the positive battery cable. I plan to add a power lead to a winch , and a power lead to an auxilary fuse box such as this one from Painless wiring. (Specifically to prevent having dozens of small wires running to my battery)
http://www.painlessperformance.com/webcatalog/largeview.php?SearchField=70207
outlander
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Columbus,Ohio
I used cable lugs on my cables attatched to marine style terminals that have a threaded stud on the top of them.Handy as hell for hooking up multiple leads and as a quick way to disco the batt power because they come with wing nuts....that way you dont have to take the terminal off the batt post.
I've got my winch,power to my fans,and power to my 100w offroad lights hooked up to them.
I've got my winch,power to my fans,and power to my 100w offroad lights hooked up to them.
Last edited:
outlander
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Columbus,Ohio
here's what I'm talking about
copy n paste....
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/46586/377%20710/0/marine%20battery/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/WMPrice%7C1?N=377%20710&Ne=0&Ntt=marine%20battery&Ntk=Primary%20Search&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Nao=0&Ns=WMPrice|1&keyword=marine%20battery&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=5002&subdeptNum=9&classNum=208
holy crap thats alot of link!!!
copy n paste....
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/46586/377%20710/0/marine%20battery/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/WMPrice%7C1?N=377%20710&Ne=0&Ntt=marine%20battery&Ntk=Primary%20Search&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Nao=0&Ns=WMPrice|1&keyword=marine%20battery&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=5002&subdeptNum=9&classNum=208
holy crap thats alot of link!!!
wolfpackjeeper
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- 500' and 500KCAS, RAF lakenheath
+1, marine terminals
derrickdrew17
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- Duncanville
Blaine B.
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Northwest Indiana
I'm not sure what material the AutoZone and Wallmart battery terminals are.....but they suck. They always loosen up and then when you go to tighten them down further the metal is so soft that it smashes and then eventually rips around the bolt.
I'm assuming its lead. I'm sure there are better clamps out there that are lead. It's just that Walmart and AutoZone suck much!!
I'm assuming its lead. I'm sure there are better clamps out there that are lead. It's just that Walmart and AutoZone suck much!!
5-90
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Hammerspace
Yep - marine terminals.
If you have an Optima (or other "combination terminal" battery, with top & side posts,) you can use the side posts for auxiliary distribution up to 80A constant-duty or so. That should clean up the top of your battery. You should not run your winch to the side posts - this is per winch manufacturers (Warn & Ramsey) and battery manufacturers (Exide, Interstate, & Optima.) However, I've been told by battery manufacturers (same three) that using the side posts for accessory feeds is fine. N.B. They also advise against running starting leads to the side posts as well...
Some cast lead terminals have binding posts (hex headed screws) that can be removed and replaced - you can just get longer bolts to install (they're usually 5/16"-18 threads.) The cast brass clamps I use are threaded (5/16"-18) to accept bolts - while the bolts are normally run in from the bottom, it is possible to reverse the bolts and screw them in from the top - which gives some flexibility to you as well.
You can also try using "military-style" clamps (I've been looking for a source for those in brass as well...) which have the binding posts exiting the side of the clamp vice the top. I've also found cast brass "universal" (where the cable attaches under a strap) replacement clamps - I'm thinking about adding them to my line. Not to use as "replacement ends" for corroded cables, but because that will allow two screw attachments points for eye lugs without having to use the clamp bolt/nut, as some people have been known to do (only in extremis dire will I do so - I just don't like the idea.) I'll have to check, but pricing will probably be comparable to my cast brass battery clamps.
Another option is to use a remote distribution post - you'll still have to run a "feeder lead" from the battery to the post, but you can then run a number of smaller leads off of that to feed accessories. You'll still have to fuse them inline (you mentioned using a fuse block?) so I don't know if that will save you any work. I've been looking for an acceptable fuse block to add to my offerings, just haven't had much time to work on it of late. However, that can still allow you some flexibility.
Want more ideas? I'm sure I can come up with a few...
If you have an Optima (or other "combination terminal" battery, with top & side posts,) you can use the side posts for auxiliary distribution up to 80A constant-duty or so. That should clean up the top of your battery. You should not run your winch to the side posts - this is per winch manufacturers (Warn & Ramsey) and battery manufacturers (Exide, Interstate, & Optima.) However, I've been told by battery manufacturers (same three) that using the side posts for accessory feeds is fine. N.B. They also advise against running starting leads to the side posts as well...
Some cast lead terminals have binding posts (hex headed screws) that can be removed and replaced - you can just get longer bolts to install (they're usually 5/16"-18 threads.) The cast brass clamps I use are threaded (5/16"-18) to accept bolts - while the bolts are normally run in from the bottom, it is possible to reverse the bolts and screw them in from the top - which gives some flexibility to you as well.
You can also try using "military-style" clamps (I've been looking for a source for those in brass as well...) which have the binding posts exiting the side of the clamp vice the top. I've also found cast brass "universal" (where the cable attaches under a strap) replacement clamps - I'm thinking about adding them to my line. Not to use as "replacement ends" for corroded cables, but because that will allow two screw attachments points for eye lugs without having to use the clamp bolt/nut, as some people have been known to do (only in extremis dire will I do so - I just don't like the idea.) I'll have to check, but pricing will probably be comparable to my cast brass battery clamps.
Another option is to use a remote distribution post - you'll still have to run a "feeder lead" from the battery to the post, but you can then run a number of smaller leads off of that to feed accessories. You'll still have to fuse them inline (you mentioned using a fuse block?) so I don't know if that will save you any work. I've been looking for an acceptable fuse block to add to my offerings, just haven't had much time to work on it of late. However, that can still allow you some flexibility.
Want more ideas? I'm sure I can come up with a few...
PurpleCherokee
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- MO
Ya, don't get em from walmart for sure. But I'd go with marine style. But MAKE SURE that the post on the terminal goes THROUGH the terminal because some of them are basically just a bolt "smooshed" into the terminal head-first. Then of course it'll eventually work itself out or if you're like me, it'll work itself out just enough not to make a good enough connection for your jeep to start and you'll stare down at your perfectly tight, corrosion-free cables attached to a perfectly hot battery in disbelief in the parking lot... :doh:
I got my good ones at NAPA
I got my good ones at NAPA
- Location
- Colorado Springs, CO
Blaine B.
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Northwest Indiana
Military style batt. clamp like this?
5-90
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Hammerspace
Blaine B. said:
Yep - those are usually referred to as "military-style" or "ordnance-style." I'm trying to find them cast in something other than lead - I'd like to talk my current supplier into doing them in brass, but haven't made any headway yet...
(Blaine, I'm fairly sure you know what they are. I just explained for the benefit of "those who would come after"...)
Blaine B.
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Northwest Indiana
Yes, that's perfectly fine. They look like awesome clamps....would like to get a set
Although I should put the side terminals of my optima to good use and reduce some of the wires going to the main terminals.
Although I should put the side terminals of my optima to good use and reduce some of the wires going to the main terminals.
RCP Phx
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Phoenix,Az
Check out Streetwires,thats what all the stereo places use,they are solid brass.
http://streetwires.com/products/default.aspx?grp=67
http://streetwires.com/products/default.aspx?grp=67
5-90
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Hammerspace
Blaine B. said:Yes, that's perfectly fine. They look like awesome clamps....would like to get a set
Although I should put the side terminals of my optima to good use and reduce some of the wires going to the main terminals.
The side terminal pads are threaded 3/8"-16, so you can use a standard screw to attach the ring lugs (or get an accessory screw.) I've checked. They're about 3/8" deep - so you'll probably need some washers to keep the screw from "bottoming out."
5-90
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- Hammerspace
RCP Phx said:
"Forged" = "Spendy." They're either machined from wrought and forged, or forged then machined. Either way, it's really not necessary - a cast terminal will be just fine (and cost a fraction while being just as efficient a conductor. That's why I've passed on terminals like that to now in the first place.)
I've no doubt they're good - but they're quite certainly "overkill" for the application... And, I'd have to charge rather more than I'd like to if I were to start selling them...
5-90
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- Location
- Hammerspace
zombiexj said:
Yeah - gold plated. How thick is the plating, how is it deposited, and what's under that gold, anyhow?
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