3 way battery terminal

[JJZ 109]

While driving my bucket truck for the final run of the season to circulate the fuel additives, the little red battery lamp was on & off intermittently. Got home and sure enough, all 4 battery terminals loose. They'd all seen better days and wouldn't take another tightening. Truck is a '97 F Super Duty with 7.3 Powerstroke.
Shot down to NAPA and grabbed 4 new heavy duty terminals. Cleaned up the battery posts and coated everything with dielectric grease. Got 3 of the 4 installed. Came to the last one and here's what I was looking at:



The bolt on the above terminal was pretty much corroded through, so I took a bolt from a new terminal and got it back together for now. Obviously I'm going to need a 3 way terminal. So far all I'm finding are the type that look like this:



I don't think that type will work because I've got 2 pretty good sized cables and one not as big all tied into the terminal. Not sure of the gauge on any of the 3. I'm not wild about finding another factory type as I don't want to replace the cables completely. Solder ons aren't completely out of the question but I'd much rather do clamp type or possibly crimp because I've got a crimping tool for poly banding seals that I could probably use.
I've been searching the net but nothing so far. Anyone have any leads for me?

 

[bcp]

Your local boating supply or auto stereo supply may have something like these:

Gold plated battery terminals for audio or marine | eBay

Or you could use these with a flat lug on the cables:

Pico No 899P | Lead Alloy Marine Battery Terminal | Pico of Canada Ltd.

Or run a single cable to a bus bar:
Terminal Bus Bars

Bruce

 

[brain55]

I know the factory cable isn't cheap and kind if a pain to install, but in my experience in the long run it is far less trouble than the clamp-on terminals.

 

[JJZ 109]

Your local boating supply or auto stereo supply may have something like these:

Gold plated battery terminals for audio or marine | eBay

Or you could use these with a flat lug on the cables:

Pico No 899P | Lead Alloy Marine Battery Terminal | Pico of Canada Ltd.

Or run a single cable to a bus bar:
Terminal Bus Bars

Bruce

I like the simplicity of the first link, but think 2 of my cables are 2/0, probably too big for that style. I believe the third, smaller wire is #4 according to some info I've found online.

I know the factory cable isn't cheap and kind if a pain to install, but in my experience in the long run it is far less trouble than the clamp-on terminals.

The truck gets driven about 3,000 miles a year for a seasonal business. Can't get it inside because of the boom or I might consider a factory replacement. I don't see crawling around and under it outdoors this time of year. But as I mentioned, it's workable for now and the truck is put up for the year. A new cable from Ford could be a possibility in spring.
So far have found this one for about $146.

 

[Soundguy]

my 99 f45 has that same terminal and it's on it's way out. when it goes.. I'll probaby use some sort of tap connector as well.. and just check it often..

 

[brain55]

I like the simplicity of the first link, but think 2 of my cables are 2/0, probably too big for that style. I believe the third, smaller wire is #4 according to some info I've found online.

The truck gets driven about 3,000 miles a year for a seasonal business. Can't get it inside because of the boom or I might consider a factory replacement. I don't see crawling around and under it outdoors this time of year. But as I mentioned, it's workable for now and the truck is put up for the year. A new cable from Ford could be a possibility in spring.
So far have found this one for about $146.

I come from a fleet background where I didn't need the headache of having to deal with it later too. I understand your situation, the fleet I was in charge of would have put that many miles on that truck in approx a month.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I know the factory cable isn't cheap and kind if a pain to install, but in my experience in the long run it is far less trouble than the clamp-on terminals.

I could not agree more. Once corrosion starts it will be trouble for life.

Chris

 

[JJZ 109]

I could not agree more. Once corrosion starts it will be trouble for life.

Chris

As I stated, this is a back burner problem now because the truck is put up for the season. However, I just recalled that a friend who's a Ford mechanic recently built a large new garage with a lift at his home. He told me that his setup will handle both the weight and height of my truck.
We've traded a little work before, and he does need a gutter on one side of his new garage ( I did the other last fall for him). Looks like we'll be wheeling & dealing with him in the spring. Maybe earlier if I can get it up there before weather turns and salt hits the roads. :thumbsup: Maybe it's time to start shopping for that cable.

 

[JJZ 109]

A little searching has put me onto Tousely Ford. If I've found the right part, the price just went from $146 down to $84. I have an inquiry in to them to verify. If it's right I'll go ahead and order from them.

 

[lsmurphy]

I make up my own cables. Copper lugs are solder filled, battery post clamp are brass.

Do it right the first time and you won't have a problem later..........BTW......cheap too.

 

[JJZ 109]

my 99 f45 has that same terminal and it's on it's way out. when it goes.. I'll probaby use some sort of tap connector as well.. and just check it often..

Just in case you ever decide to go with a Ford cable when you fix yours, I just ordered one from Tousley Ford in Minnesota. Part # F5TZ-14300-B. Lists for $150. They sell for $84 plus UPS.

Tousley Ford Parts

 

[Soundguy]

not too bad a price... thanks for the info!

 

[JJZ 109]

not too bad a price... thanks for the info!

Not too bad of a site. They've got spots to type in your VIN and to tell them what you're looking for and they'll answer your questions to help make sure you get the right part.

 

[Soundguy]

interesting, thanks.

 

[schmism]

for those of you wishing you could crimp your own 00 cables for batteries and the like

Hydraulic Wire Crimping Tool

 

[dstig1]

I've used Tousley for parts for years, but they are local. They have the biggest inventory around and the prices are usually not bad, though not often great. I've had good luck with their parts dept overall (friendly, helpful), but I refer to the dealership as "Lousely Ford" as they are slimy when it comes to the sales side. I wasn't aware they were doing mail order now, but then I just drive over there if needed...

 

[JJZ 109]

I've used Tousley for parts for years, but they are local. They have the biggest inventory around and the prices are usually not bad, though not often great. I've had good luck with their parts dept overall (friendly, helpful), but I refer to the dealership as "Lousely Ford" as they are slimy when it comes to the sales side. I wasn't aware they were doing mail order now, but then I just drive over there if needed...

Not that I did a super intensive internet search, but in this instance they did OK by me. They listed my part at $150. Sold it to me for $80 + $14 UPS. Another site showed the part with 2 different length smaller leads coming from the positive terminal. One was $146 and the other at $148. Tousely came recommended at a Ford diesel forum so I gave 'em a shot. Hopefully I don't have to use them (or any other parts supplier) very often.

for those of you wishing you could crimp your own 00 cables for batteries and the like

Hydraulic Wire Crimping Tool

I'd grab one of those from the local HF if I thought I'd have more than a one time use for it. But in the current case I'm just buying a whole new cable setup from Ford, so I'll pass for now.

 

[Soundguy]

for those of you wishing you could crimp your own 00 cables for batteries and the like

Hydraulic Wire Crimping Tool

hey now.. that's pretty darn neat!

 

[schmism]

I'd grab one of those from the local HF if I thought I'd have more than a one time use for it. But in the current case I'm just buying a whole new cable setup from Ford, so I'll pass for now.

eh if you have a golfcart for the property seems im always replaceing cables on it. would be nice to just cut the ends off and crimp another one on for a fraction of the cost. You can always upgrade the cables to welders wire which has many more strands in it for better current transfer.

 

[dstig1]

That is kind of a neat deal on the crimper. Would be useful for welding cables too.

Sorry - I wasn't clear. Tousely has been good on parts overall for me. It is their car sales side that is slimy