Replace terminals vs. battery cables?

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Bill Schwab - 11 Nov 2007 21:02 GMT

Hello all,

My batter terminal clamps are in rough shape. The positive terminal
appears to be screwed onto the cable; the negative is crimped. Both
cables look like they have seen better days, but could go a while.
Should I expect to replace the cables, or just the terminals? Cables
appear to go for $90 or so; is that reasonable, and does it cover both
positive and negative? Any gottchas?

Bill

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I. Care - 11 Nov 2007 21:27 GMT

> Hello all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Bill

Unless the cables exhibit other problems, corrosion, overheating etc.,
you can buy replacement terminals that will clamp onto your existing
cables. Just remember the positive and negative terminals are different
sizes so buy and connect accordingly.

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I. Care
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N8N - 13 Nov 2007 14:51 GMT

> In article <13jerf2474a8...@corp.supernews.com>, bsch...@anest.ufl.edu
> says...> Hello all,
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> cables. Just remember the positive and negative terminals are different
> sizes so buy and connect accordingly.

I don't like clamp-on replacement terminals; I can't see how they
wouldn't cause a high resistance connection. I would either use
solder-on connections like you can get from a boat store, or else
replace the whole cable.

nate

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Bill Schwab - 13 Nov 2007 15:00 GMT

Nate,

>> In article <13jerf2474a8...@corp.supernews.com>, bsch...@anest.ufl.edu
>> says...> Hello all,
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> solder-on connections like you can get from a boat store, or else
> replace the whole cable.

I read "clamp" as "bolt". I need to look at what Autozone is offering.
The positive terminate is pretty much that way now. The negative
terminal is crimped, but if that in turn bolts onto the terminal, it
might work. I agree that new cables would probably be better.

Bill

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I. Care - 13 Nov 2007 17:02 GMT

> Nate,
>
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
>
> Bill

Regarding clamp on terminals, I and just about everybody I knew that
competed in Auto Sound contests used gold or platinum plated battery
terminals that clamped onto the wire. Many OEM battery terminals have
at least 1 clamped on terminal.

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I. Care
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putt@webtv.net - 14 Nov 2007 14:49 GMT

>batter terminal clamps are in rough
> shape. The positive terminal appears to
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> while. Should I expect to replace the
> cables, or just the terminals?

If by 'rough shape' you mean corrosion, then you can count on that
corrosion is also inside the cables. To save yourself trouble when you
least expect it, replace the cables. No knowledgable mechanic will tell
you using 'replacement' terminals are a good idea.

Dave S Texas

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