Battery clamp question

[Unruh]

Yesterday I installed a 6-volt battery that had some pretty old cables. I took the cables off, cleaned up the connections, increased the "slot" and reamed out the hole for the bolt. When I put the cable back on, I was wondering why a washer isn't used under the nut on the clamp. The nut "digs" into the soft lead and doesn't ever seem to get tight as it just digs deeper.
Why aren't washers used?

 

[John T]

I can NOT tell you why they arent used, save a cent maybe,,,,,,, or improve the electrical bonding somehow,,,,,,,,, or reduce dissimilar metal junctions (which kinda creates a small battery and resultant electron flow and corrosive affects)

BUT I CAN TELL YOU I ALWAYS USE TWO STAINLESS STEEL WASHERS ANYWAY, a flat then a lock before the nut and thats how I plan to continue so there lol That reduces deterioration of the soft lead as you noticed and keeps the nut out there for a full wrench bite versus half of it covered up by lead.

John T

 

[NCWayne]

On most connections the end of the termianl is made in such a way that you can't put a washer under the nut and it lay flat because the lenght of the ears where the nut sits isn't long enough. To be able to put a washer under it you have to get one with the smalleds diameter you can find and wither let it bend as you tighten the nut or cut off one side so it will lay flat. That said if you've ever tightened down a new connector it will get usually plenty tight before the nut ever starts digging into the material. If it doesn't then your best move is to spend a few dollars and get a good quality crimp on end. I know they make them out of different alloys of lead in varying degrees of softness/cheapness, and typically those kinds are soldered on because of the softness. Now if you want a really good one find one made of a brass alloy that can be either soldered or crimped on and you won't have to worry about the problem your describing again. I've been putting them on customers equipment as well as my own for years and they solve alot of the problems inherent with the brass ones from what you describe to the tops getting beat down to a point they don't go on the post all the way, etc, etc.

Check out waytek Wire's site. Through them you can get the brass battery ends for less than $4 apiece and also get any other type of terminal/staycon end, wire, relays, etc, etc, etc, etc ALOT cheaper than you'll find then at your local parts house.
Waytek

 

[rustyfarmall]

A NEW battery bolt is furnished with a special nut that has "rounded" shoulder on one side only. That rounded shoulder goes up against the soft lead of the clamp to prevent the "digging in".

 

[Anonymous-0]

I do the same thing John T does with stainless steel washers. Sometimes I grind a flat spot on the side of washer to make it fit right.

 

[PJH]

The clamp on my truck does what you're talking about, and a normal flat washer won't fit on the short ears like Wayne says, so I used a next size larger nut as a washer. Looks a little funny I guess, but nobody looks at it but me.

 

[Unruh]

Thanks, guys, I just knew I could count on you - as always!