The Right Way to Replace a Battery Terminal

Replacing a battery terminal should be a permanent repair.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• battery
• terminal;
• electrical

[McCuistian]

Good advice, but I've used the method shown her for more than thirty years and never had a repeat repair. Ever.

[McCuistian]

Well, the flux is floating on top of the solder about 1/8 inch thick - the copper has to go through it on the way in. But thanks for the comment!

[McCuistian]

You have to do what works, that's for sure, and having somewhere to work means a lot. Fortunately, a floor jack isn't needed for this task.

[McCuistian]

Good advice, mkema!

[McCuistian]

Clean away the rust with a stiff plastic brush and detergent.

[McCuistian]

My parts supplier gets them for me - he's the industrial account guy at the local Advance Auto Parts store. If your parts guy can't find 'em, he doesn't want to help you. Do a search for Pico 0829C 1-2 AWG Crimp or Solder Straight Barrel Positive Battery Terminal 10 per Package - the parts store has to buy them ten to a box, and you can get ten of them for $32.

[McCuistian]

Eighteen wheeler drivers are more predictable and better drivers than four wheel vehicle drivers. You can get killed by running head on into a VW bug or a Ford Focus. Don't worry about the truckers.

[McCuistian]

@synapticflow Truckers are the lifeblood of virtually every industry. Everybody knows that. They're professional drivers. You're an amateur by comparison.

[spelunkerd]

A very good demonstration. 

[killer2600]

@synapticflow Your biased and that will never change so just like you can't change a racist I won't bother trying to shine the light on big trucks. A well known fact is acted on road rage occurs among 4-wheelers a huge percentage more than 18-wheelers. Also 4-wheelers are extremely complacent and off the wall, everyone interprets the rules of the road in their own way and gets stuck in bad habits merely because of ease and lack of punishment/bad outcome. All very dangerous and irresponsible.

[timangiel]

placing a cold wire into hot solder is really not a good soldering practice. when soldering 2 conductors together, both conductors need to be heated to get proper "wetting" of the solder to both conductors.

[flooflox]

I like that way of fixing a cable. I've used the clamp type before and they let the wire oxidize after a while. Just a pain and this method is so easy. Thanks for the demo!

[strawdog3571]

Thanks

[BRUNNER7771]

A good cost effective repair. I would suggest adding flux to the cable end and thoroughly pre-tinning it so that the connection is made by re-flowing the solder. You have little assurance of a good connection by sticking the cable into the molten solder with a little flux floating on top. Also it is a good idea to coat the battery and cable terminals with a load of axle grease to eliminate corrosion issues in the future (after cleaning them first of course).

[MTXSHO9732vV8SHO]

Yeah, this is all well and good if you're living in a house/have a garage. Us mere apartment dwellers get crap from landlords for storing a floor jack inside. We can least afford to take a car to the shop but catch the most flack from everyone.

Yes, soldering is the 'best' way. Still I use the NAPA Quick Release Knob Terminals. Very useful.