Changing the battery connectors

Budke · **Posted:** Wed Mar 24, 2010 9:17 am

I need to change the connectors for my battery. The negative one sucks and won't tighten down and sometimes loses connectivity and I have to get out of the jeep and mess with it to get current again to start the jeep. And also I'm going to have to attach my winch soon so I'll need something easier to connect it to.

I think I know what style I want to go with, but not sure yet.
What all do I have to do to change them? And how much harder would it be just to replace all of the cables with thicker ones for more power?

TAHOE · **Posted:** Wed Mar 24, 2010 11:31 am

Budke, here is the "normal" new battery replacment terminal, it's quick, easy, but diehard people won't like them, not the best connection. One thing nice about them is you can unscrew where the wire mounts and add other accessories very easily.

here is the marine type someone recommended to you, then you will still have to get a big ring connector and have it crimped onto cable so you can attach to your terminal. Nice for situations where battery needs removed during storage, like a boat, but you can also add accessories to the wing nut bolt easily

here is the standard crimp end type that comes factory, then you will have to crimp it on somehow properly, may have to remove cable and take it somewhere if so chose that route.

I would imagine you will hook your winch straight to the battery, I personally don't see upgrading to heavier gauge helping in that instance, but then I've been wrong before. :jester:

riptricket · **Posted:** Wed Mar 24, 2010 11:34 am

i need to replace the positive on my optima... anyone know the correct size? and where to get it?

Budke · **Posted:** Wed Mar 24, 2010 12:23 pm

TAHOE wrote:

Budke, here is the "normal" new battery replacment terminal, it's quick, easy, but diehard people won't like them, not the best connection. One thing nice about them is you can unscrew where the wire mounts and add other accessories very easily.

here is the marine type someone recommended to you, then you will still have to get a big ring connector and have it crimped onto cable so you can attach to your terminal. Nice for situations where battery needs removed during storage, like a boat, but you can also add accessories to the wing nut bolt easily

here is the standard crimp end type that comes factory, then you will have to crimp it on somehow properly, may have to remove cable and take it somewhere if so chose that route.

I would imagine you will hook your winch straight to the battery, I personally don't see upgrading to heavier gauge helping in that instance, but then I've been wrong before. :jester:

Well I just want a heavier gauge for audio purposes. Lol. Winch will go straight to the battery.
I couldn't crimp the standard type on myself??
And with the marine type, what is this "big ring" connector and could I crimp it myself?

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Mar 24, 2010 12:24 pm

Just remember that the cables are not the old kind where a single cable runs to a solenoid or a ground. Our cables run into a loom and are custom more or less. You may be able to replace the ends but also it may make them to short too reach the terminals

Budke · **Posted:** Wed Mar 24, 2010 12:34 pm

Well I just got done looking at the connections and I noticed that the bolt has been corroded down to pretty much nothing. That must be why it won't tighten down and keep a good connection. I'm going to try replacing the nuts and bolts and see if that helps. Going to get bolts that are a wee bit longer too so I have more room to put my winch cables on.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Wed Mar 24, 2010 12:59 pm

For the stereo, just add extra cables coming from the battery to the frame(ground) and from the alternator to the battery(use a fuse on that + from the alternator to the battery). If you want, you can also add a a cable coming from the frame to the engine(ground). This is known as the BIG 3.

Sport · **Posted:** Wed Mar 24, 2010 3:50 pm

I bought this one from amazon so I could dress up all the wiring from my lights, amp and soon compressor.

TAHOE · **Posted:** Wed Mar 24, 2010 4:10 pm

If you went the marine style route, you need something like this on the end of the cable for attachment... big ring end terminal, you maybe familiar with smaller crimp type one. Yes, you maybe able to crimp yourself. I've done it using a vise, or even a large chisel type pointed punch, but then you may have to remove cable.

That last pic is sweet, nice terminal... how much did that cost Sport?

Sport · **Posted:** Wed Mar 24, 2010 4:13 pm

TAHOE wrote:

If you went the marine style route, you need something like this on the end of the cable for attachment... big ring end terminal, you maybe familiar with smaller crimp type one. Yes, you maybe able to crimp yourself. I've done it using a vise, or even a large chisel type pointed punch, but then you may have to remove cable.

That last pic is sweet, nice terminal... how much did that cost Sport?

Cheap 10 bucks and free shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/Scosche-EBT-Batte ... 536&sr=8-1

Amazon has others too, search battery terminal

99_XC600 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 24, 2010 6:50 pm

One additional step that helps when your doing the crimp method is to solder the connection as well. Just purchase a hobby butane torch and some electrical solder. Heat up the connector and then go to it. Crimping and then soldering pretty much guarantees a secure fit.

Changing the battery connectors

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