Best battery terminal connectors?

[theoriginalscion]

Looking at my Red top Optima, the side posts appear to be extended from top posts? Molded over with plastic on outside of battery. Not connected to battery cells at different point then top posts.

I used to build lift trucks, and all those GM vans run side posts. sucks trying to run wires(2/0) to 200 amp alt's, battery seperators and emergency lift motors. I like the clamps with 3/8" treads going into back of body. I can then use a bolt and jam nut to clamp cable ends.

I like to coat those ugly lead buggers with liquid elecrical tape, stuff rocks.

 

[DanMan2k06]

I dunno I'm not liking that little set screw at ALL. I've seen the marine style posts at advance auto I believe, and I'm pretty sure they were gold plated brass.

Edit: I should learn to read page 2 before posting...

 

[TiRod]

McMaster Carr has some "bus bars" discussed in a thread last week. Basically a brass bar with multiple studs and nuts, isolated for easy mounting, and an optional cover.

Big marine supply stores carry similar products.

Thanks for the 3/8 - 16 thread comment, 5-90, wondered what those were. I agree about the "lead free' type, tried them for a couple of years and tossed them on the last battery purchase. I'm using post to side terminal adapters and the new "Bat Wing" quick release bolts for side terminals to hook up the welding lugs on the cables. Darn things just don't have enough threads to stack much, tho. At least it puts the cables at the edge of the case for a 90* turn off.

 

[outlander]

Or you can get Millitary type post

http://www.premierpowerwelder.com/terminals/terminals.html

Yea but those are spendy at $23

 

[5-90]

McMaster Carr has some "bus bars" discussed in a thread last week. Basically a brass bar with multiple studs and nuts, isolated for easy mounting, and an optional cover.

Big marine supply stores carry similar products.

Thanks for the 3/8 - 16 thread comment, 5-90, wondered what those were. I agree about the "lead free' type, tried them for a couple of years and tossed them on the last battery purchase. I'm using post to side terminal adapters and the new "Bat Wing" quick release bolts for side terminals to hook up the welding lugs on the cables. Darn things just don't have enough threads to stack much, tho. At least it puts the cables at the edge of the case for a 90* turn off.

You're welcome. Just don't overcrank the screw - it's painfully easy to pull threads out of lead...

Galvy thumbscrews are OK. I've long preferred brass (in this environment, I find it corrodes even less than most CRES alloys!) and just use a shortened wrench to tighten them. A "stubby" wrench is almost too long - I have a 9/16" that I've cut down to about 3" long from the centre of the box end. It's just enough to get a good grip, but not so long that I end up overcranking the screw.

 

[TiRod]

It what I like about the batwings, thumb tight or less, then flip the lever down to tighten. Not the cheapest solution by far, tho. They do have a wingnut bolt version.

 

[magimerlin]

I went with the mil spec ones with a good cable (2 gauge) my part numbers can be found here in my post in this thread. http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=943514&highlight=battery

and a pic

 

[dagr8tim]

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!!!

Not to drag up an old thread, but I have a set of these style terminals left over from another project. I want to use then when I rerun all of my battery cables, but I'm worried about hood clearance. Has anyone had any problems?

 

[dave92cherokee]

Hood clearance won't be a problem but i've heard those style terminals have problems with the post pulling through the softer lead after time.
If you're planning on running multiple power or ground wires to the battery maybe you should look at getting a couple of these:
http://www.delcity.net/store/Stud-Type-!-Panel-Mount-Junction-Block/p_71705.a_1