Battery terminal vs clamp. RANT included.

[WranglerX]

Let me say this.... The side post batteries in my opinion are the worst batteries ever designed.... Never had a problem with top "post" batteries UNTIL my FIRST MEXICAN battery in wifes Honda... At age 73 and working in telecommunications and changing batteries all my life, this too small terminal on wifes Honda battery IS A FIRST....

Dale

 

[WranglerX]

Bet U nailed it!
Possibly a replacement 'universal' cable was installed at some point?

Also if the battery is not well clamped down and can move a bit could explain a loose negative clamp as they tend to be shorter lengths.

But what if its original cable and not replacement...

Dale

 

[Ford850]

I noticed working as a mechanic, that alot of clamps were clamped too far.

This way, they would not go all the way down on the post and would seem loose setting up on the top of the tapered battery lug.

I fixed that issue on many, many people's cars when I would do other work just to prevent a needless comeback.

Make sure the lug is stretched as far as it can be without damaging it.

Then make sure it goes ALL the way down onto the tapered post (unless the post has a ridge at the bottom, this means contacting the plastic case).

Then while holding it down, tighten the clamp part. If you dont spread the lug open, it doesn't matter how much you beat on it or tighten it, it just wont go on good.

I generally only use acdelco, motorcraft or mopar batteries. Acdelco being a favorite.

If you get a cheap battery, I bet the terminals might be undersized. Lead has a cost. Theres a reason that battery was cheaper.

As simple as it seems, as many improper battery installations as I have seen, I would guess most people that install a battery have absolutely no business doing it.

I've seen this several times on my own vehicles, and at first I couldn't figure out why I had an issue. Once I realized what was happening, as tjkubota93 describes, it made perfect sense and was an easy correction.

 

[wagne223]

Newer, thin metal clamp style battery cable ends are prone to stretching and cracking elimatating the ability to clamp.

Poor design in my opinion.

Although this repair looks rigged, I have yet to have one fail.

Cut off cable end , strip back some insulation and install these old style terminals.

Problem solved.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart-Top-Post-Heavy-Duty-Battery-Terminal/16006683


https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...-start-battery-terminal/sk7001/4742316?pos=11

 

[tmajor]

2 things: I believe, some batteries have tapered posts and some have straight posts. You could have a tapered connector, but a battery with straight posts.

Additionally from Wikipedia:
"In recent years, the most common design was the SAE Post, consisting of two lead posts in the shape of truncated cones, positioned on the top of the battery, with slightly different diameters to ensure correct electrical polarity.

The "JIS" type is similar to the SAE but smaller, once again positive is larger than negative but both are smaller than their SAE counterparts. Most older Japanese cars were fitted with JIS terminals."

 

[WranglerX]

Newer, thin metal clamp style battery cable ends are prone to stretching and cracking elimatating the ability to clamp.

Poor design in my opinion.

Although this repair looks rigged, I have yet to have one fail.

Cut off cable end , strip back some insulation and install these old style terminals.

Problem solved.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart-Top-Post-Heavy-Duty-Battery-Terminal/16006683


https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...-start-battery-terminal/sk7001/4742316?pos=11

Never found those to be a solution, usually they cause more problems...

Dale

 

[WranglerX]

2 things: I believe, some batteries have tapered posts and some have straight posts. You could have a tapered connector, but a battery with straight posts.

Additionally from Wikipedia:
"In recent years, the most common design was the SAE Post, consisting of two lead posts in the shape of truncated cones, positioned on the top of the battery, with slightly different diameters to ensure correct electrical polarity.

The "JIS" type is similar to the SAE but smaller, once again positive is larger than negative but both are smaller than their SAE counterparts. Most older Japanese cars were fitted with JIS terminals."

One would think if a vehicle came with a battery specification of "XYX" then the replacement battery specification labeled "XYX" would fit and cable clamps would fit properly.... I can see their may be a issue if you tied to install a "YZY" spec battery in vehicle designed for a "XYX" series battery.... But all same specification batteries should have same termial sized no matter who manufacturers it...But it does not seem to be the case.....

Dale

 

[tjkubota93]

The aftermarket is a free for all. They will sell anything to you for an application if it will fit or can be half way made to fit.

Theres alot more to it than square peg square hole.

Just because it fits doesn't mean it works. Simple examples being tires (weight ratings), filters (different media) and brake pads (friction coefficient).

 

[ruffdog]

JIS and SAE......yes, they make adapters because they are different!

Pencil Post Adapters for JIS to SAE ABS Alaskan

SAE Post to JIS Pencil Post Conversion Adapter Negative

 

[DieselBound]

I've had issues where the clamp is a little on the too-big side and I cut out material between the clamp ends (bolt removed) and that gets me more compression on/to the post.