Is the battery alive but the engine not starting? Earlier cars like Zhiguli had all the lights turned off at the same time as the key was turned. On modern machines, nothing goes out, but a terrifying inscription like “Low Battery” appears on the scoreboard. The low battery indicator light may also report the same.
As a rule, the verdict is passed quickly: the battery is to blame, even if it has been charged at least three times. In the meantime the reason could be more prosaic: poor contact between the battery terminals and the terminals of standard car cableswho join them. The energy from the battery goes to useless heating of this contact.
Who ruined the contact?
If the voltage in the on-board network were significantly higher (say 220 V), such problems would not exist, but with huge starting currents they are unavoidable. The reasons for poor contact are different.
- Oxidation of terminals and leads. Usually this happens due to the ingress of electrolyte on their surface or gases penetrating from the battery case.
- Loose fasteners due to vibration or insufficient tightening torque when working on electrical wiring. Often the terminal is not tightened at all, but just thrown onto the pole terminal: it works – and well. In this case, electrical erosion of the contact surfaces occurs.
- The third, rare option today: a caring owner occasionally cleans the terminals and leads with sandpaper, changing their original geometry, and tightening the fasteners does not contact.
What to do if the native terminals are so damaged that they cannot be cleaned or tightened? Buy new!
We have a dozen and a half different terminals and have studied them extensively.
Tip: When buying a terminal, look at the dimensions and compare it with the original version. There are several terminal configuration options (e.g. European and Asian).
Battery terminal dimensions according to European and Asian standards, mm
During the research, we evaluated the fastenings of the terminals – from tightening to fastening the wire. Their mass was determined: all other things being equal, a heavier container will not have much time to heat up much as the starting current passes. We evaluated the resistance of the finished material to the acidic solution used in batteries.
What have you been through?
| Post clamps Weight 88 grams (2 pieces) estimated price 280 Crimp the clamps with a weak inch bolt. The wire is pressed with a thin plate. Acid is not afraid, but We can only recommend in the absence of the best offers. |
| battery terminal Weight 83 grams estimated price 250 Terminal acid is not afraid. An inch fastener is used, while the thread is held by two thin bolts. We cannot recommend it. |
| Battery terminal 218959 Weight 48 grams estimated price 260 A thin steel connector fits both battery points. Screed – inch bolt. Strong reaction to acid. We cannot recommend it. |
| battery terminal Weight 122 grams estimated price 400 A chic Italian terminal with excellent cone quality: this injection molding can serve as a benchmark. The thread is fixed with two M6 bolts, on the screed – M8. Recommended. |
| kit Weight 270 grams (2 pieces) estimated price 400 Two clamps in protective plastic – blue and red – with a keyless clamping mechanism. An interesting decision. The thread is clamped tightly with two M6 bolts. Acid is not afraid. Recommended. |
| battery terminals Weight 195 g (2 pieces) estimated price 130 Crimp terminals (or for soldering) are a godsend for a handy amateur who is adept with various tools. Does not react to acid. We recommend limited use. |
| battery terminals Weight 157 grams (2 pieces) estimated price 330 Good clamping of the wire with four screws, but the bar on the M6 is rather weak. Yes, and the hex head of the bolt rotates – this would not have happened with a square one. Acid reacts violently. We cannot recommend it. |
| Battery terminal kit Weight 220 grams (2 pieces) estimated price 500 euro Terminals are solid, brass. The bolt for tightening the thread is also solid – M10, this is rare. The terminal does not react to acid. Recommended. |
| Battery terminal kit Weight 160 grams (2 pieces) estimated price 500 euro Quick-release terminals – stamped from millimetric brass. Clamping screws for thread – M5: rather weak. An ordinary motorist does not need such a design. Another thing are boats and yachts, where you often have to disconnect the battery terminals. The terminal does not react to acid. We recommend limited use. |
| Universal battery terminals 105079 Weight 96 grams (2 pieces) estimated price 140 Inch thread: If you lose a nut, you will be looking for a replacement for a long time. The wire is clamped with two bolts. The wire in the terminal is cut at an angle. It is curious that both terminals are made of the same blanks, since one turned out to have thinner walls. Acid is not afraid, but we cannot recommend it. |
| Brass with screw. art. 145337 Weight 200 grams (2 pieces) estimated price 650 The thread is fixed with an M8 nut, on the crimp – M6. There is room for an extra thread with an M6 bolt. Acid is not afraid. Recommended. |
| Lead. art. 268565 Weight 292 g (2 pcs) estimated price 260 The build quality is very bad. Bolts M6 without coating. Acid is not afraid, but still can’t recommend it. |
| Brass. art. 364367 Weight 190 grams (2 pieces) estimated price 600 The thread is secured with two M5 bolts, the M6 nut clamps the clamp diagonally. There is a protection against interruption of the wire with fixing bolts. Acid is not afraid. Recommended. |
| Clamp with extension cord Art. 25021 Euro Type 1 Weight 392 g (2 pcs) estimated price 850 A pair of clamps with blue and red tails is suitable in cases where the standard wire requires some extension. Screed – with M8 bolt. He does not like acid: the reaction starts immediately. We recommend limited use. |
| Side clamp Art. 25022 Euro Type 1 Weight 361 grams (2 pieces) estimated price 400 A ring terminal contact is present. Fasteners – M8. Protective cap on the positive terminal. Reacts with acid. We recommend limited use. |
| Terminal block with side mounting (set). art. 73100 Weight 128 grams (2 pieces) estimated price 160 Neat brass clamps that are not afraid of acid. The thread is fixed with M6 bolts, on the crimp – M8. Recommended. |
TOTAL
Which terminal to choose?
Terminals are made of metals or alloys with good conductivity: copper, brass, aluminum, lead.
Some terminals have inch fasteners – this is not the best solution. If you lose a bolt or nut, you will be looking for a replacement for a long time. Anyway, the stronger the closure, the better. Square head bolts do not turn with a wrench.
quick-release clamps we cannot recommend it. They are unusable for an ordinary owner, but their contact resistance will always be higher than when tightening a screw thread. Such a solution is only necessary for those who really need to disconnect and connect the terminals every now and then – for example on a boat.
It is not entirely reasonable to buy kits with two terminals: in practice only one, and not both at the same time, usually needs replacing. However, the cost of such kits is relatively low.
- Have a nice trip and good contacts! And how to properly install and maintain the terminals is described here.
- “Behind the wheel” can also be read in Telegram.
A simple detail could be to blame – of course, if the battery is fully charged.
Source: Z R
