Battery post / cables

BFL13,

Stainless steel studs sunk into a near flush battery post are excellent because the pad offers great surface area. Dual post RV batteries are good but I much prefer a 2 potential sealing points rather than four.

The mickey mouse design conventional rv terminal battery stresses the extended lead post and offers very little surface area for stud to lug contact area. If some out there doubt it. Turn out your high power inverter for a few minutes then run outside and burn your hand on your lugs.

I use stranded welding cable myself with solid copper TEWCO lugs. I tin the cable ends and crimp on the connectors with a hydraulic crimper. Welding cable by the foot (at any welding supply outlet) is less expensive than a pre-made cable plus you can make them to the exact length you need.

HF has a nice hand held hydraulic crimper for 50 bucks.

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:


This is the preferred termination for high amp draw systems --- large inverters.

No good with my AGMs. Only have screw-in bolts on those. As a reward, they do have wide area contacts around the bolt holes to fit flat type ring lugs nicely. Also they have a red mark next to the positive for dummies like me.

I use stainless wing-nuts. No washers.

When using L-terminal or stud (NEVER use wing nuts) batteries I like to use stainless steel bolts, washers and nuts. Almost corrosion proof, but I still apply a good "gob" of grease (silicon dielectric or Vaseline or axle/bearing grease in a pinch) on top of the connect, covering the area where the metal connection comes through the plastic case. t make not look pretty, but it is cheap and effective insurance !

Fluid Film spray of Lanolin spray work well and "look" better, but need to be cleaned and reapplied every year or two.

starcraft69 wrote:

time2roll wrote:
4/0? If spending money there is no reason not to have the right stuff.

http://www.genuinedealz.com/custom-cables?size=46

Otherwise yes the 3/8 should be fine.

Yes 4/0 doing a 4 x 6v install with 3000 watt inverter. I ordered 3/8 lug to make all my cables. but Batteries are 5/16 and I am running out of time and money.

Do people do it, yes. Does Club Car golf carts recommend it, no. Your call.

This is the preferred termination for high amp draw systems --- large inverters.

I feel your pain on the money issue. I did a complete rewire on my (6) 6 volt batteries along with placing cut off switches for both Chassis, House and Solar. I had to use some 3/8" lugs that should have been 5/16" but washers are your friend.

Next set of batts might be 3/8 so you are good either way.

time2roll wrote:
4/0? If spending money there is no reason not to have the right stuff.

http://www.genuinedealz.com/custom-cables?size=46

Otherwise yes the 3/8 should be fine.

Yes 4/0 doing a 4 x 6v install with 3000 watt inverter. I ordered 3/8 lug to make all my cables. but Batteries are 5/16 and I am running out of time and money.