Not the battery

MoPops · Oct 10, 2015

I think it's the positive wires and connection running to the battery. When I tried to put it back on the positive terminal it literally fell apart.

Threepoint · Oct 10, 2015

Looks like you found the problem. :thumbsup: The battery clamp may well have been cracked for awhile (maybe a stress fracture), preventing it from making good, consistent contact with the post. The connection might have been good enough to power the trigger circuit on the solenoid and the lights on the instrument panel, but not to carry the full current required by the starter.

Ed of all trades · Oct 10, 2015

Glad you found it, I did not follow my "rule" of trying the little, simple, cheep things first. If I had I would have told you different. Ed

MoPops · Oct 11, 2015

I didn't have time to run out for a new clamp. My place isn't that close to anything.. I'll grab a new clamp this week, and give it a try. Hope it's the answer.
Question, does it have to be soldered on? Hopefully I can pry the old connection apart, and just squeeze/clamp on a new one. I do not have a soldering iron. I've got a torch and solder, but not sure how that would work.. (I use it to sweat copper pipe connections.)
Thx

tman1020 · Oct 11, 2015

Glad you found it that looks like corrosion in your battery compartment in the picture you posted. I may be wrong but if it is check for a leaking battery. Mine and several other guys batteries were leaking in that same area some of them had some pretty good damage. I think there was a problem with the stock bobcat batteries doing this.

Threepoint · Oct 11, 2015

MoPops said:
I didn't have time to run out for a new clamp. My place isn't that close to anything.. I'll grab a new clamp this week, and give it a try. Hope it's the answer.
Question, does it have to be soldered on? Hopefully I can pry the old connection apart, and just squeeze/clamp on a new one. I do not have a soldering iron. I've got a torch and solder, but not sure how that would work.. (I use it to sweat copper pipe connections.)
Thx

Your factory clamps look like they are swaged on, not soldered. Not practical for you to replicate, and unnecessary. This is the kind of clamp I'd use. Amazon.com: NOCO TZKIT1 Lead-Free Top Post Zinc Battery Terminal Kit: Automotive Cut the cable, strip the end, and tighten the machine screws to complete the repair before reattaching to the post. Amazon claims same day delivery, if you need it that fast. Wonder if they can do that out where you are!

BTW, you may also be able to find a similar repair clamp that also has a secondary marine-type terminal (a threaded post with nut), which will allow easier attachment of accessory wiring in the future, if you wish.

MoPops · Oct 11, 2015

tman1020 said:
Glad you found it that looks like corrosion in your battery compartment in the picture you posted. I may be wrong but if it is check for a leaking battery. Mine and several other guys batteries were leaking in that same area some of them had some pretty good damage. I think there was a problem with the stock bobcat batteries doing this.

It possibly has, or had, a small leak. I had to use a pry bar to break it loose. It had sat in the back of my pickup for two weeks though, without leaving a drop. There was no damage to where the battery sits in the tractor. I'll continue to watch it. It tests very well.
I'm a little surprised at the quality of the clamps used for the battery connections. Pretty flimsy.

MoPops · Oct 11, 2015

Threepoint said:
Your factory clamps look like they are swaged on, not soldered. Not practical for you to replicate, and unnecessary. This is the kind of clamp I'd use. Amazon.com: NOCO TZKIT1 Lead-Free Top Post Zinc Battery Terminal Kit: Automotive Cut the cable, strip the end, and tighten the machine screws to complete the repair before reattaching to the post. Amazon claims same day delivery, if you need it that fast. Wonder if they can do that out where you are! BTW, you may also be able to find a similar repair clamp that also has a secondary marine-type terminal (a threaded post with nut), which will allow easier attachment of accessory wiring in the future, if you wish.

Those look perfect. I'm going to order them. Amazon Prime to the rescue.
Thanks!

k0ua · Oct 11, 2015

MoPops said:
Those look perfect. I'm going to order them. Amazon Prime to the rescue.
Thanks!

Be sure to grease the copper well before putting it in the clamp, then a light coating of grease over the entire clamp and the battery posts. Be sure to clean the posts well and make sure the copper wire is clean and bright.

I use No-Ox-Id, but if I didn't have any I would use a good dielectric grease (electrical department of big box stores)or even just regular grease if that was all I had. The idea is to prevent the battery fumes from eating up the connections in the first place.

powerscol · Oct 11, 2015

Exact same issue happened to me. To get a clamp on you need to try and solder. Mine is crimped (NAPA) part and I need to order the new cable as it is just too tight a fit. (works for now)

Everyone needs to check this . As soon as the lower copper ring starts to corrode, you will have the same problem.