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Topic: Source Chassis Battery Cables-Duracell replacing Optimas (Read 470 times) previous topic - next topic

Source Chassis Battery Cables-Duracell replacing Optimas

Where does one find chassis battery cables to replace those connecting my "Screw top post" Optima Yellow tops?  Over the years it looks the positive cable ends have been gradually eroded and reduced by battery acid; and suspect not carrying the current load properly.  Perhaps it may have even contributed to the failure of 2 of the 3 yellow tops installed.  One of the 3 is perfect; the other 2 are gone...coincidentally the other 2 were connected by the bad cable ends.

BTW I recently replaced all 3 yellow tops with Duracell group 31C from Sams Club and so far they're working great.  AT $99/ea vs well over $200/ea for the yellow tops convinced me to go this route.  I'm told MOT apparently have switched to the Duracell's as well.
Fiddler
1959 Parris Island grad
40' 2001 U320 Build 5875
1999 Suburban K1500 toad
1986 Corvette Pacecar
ssoftail@comcast.net

Re: Source Chassis Battery Cables-Duracell replacing Optimas

Reply #1 –
Autozone, walmart, ellis battery, napa all have cables as you need. Even TSC or farm and fleet. ^.^d

I like walmart or autozone. Bet you will get other "likes" from other members. My reasoning, there is always a walmart close to where we are, in fact we stay ther too.
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My advice and experiences are Free, you decide if they are worth anything .

John - driving Old Faithful
1994 U280 GV
C8.3, Banks, Pacbrake, 900 watts, Resonator, XLHD tow dolly
Retired Army Warrant Officer

Life is what you make of it - if it is lemons, make lemonade!
Former Coaches:
1988 GV 40' ORED 300HP CAT - 9 years
1990 Winnebago LeSharo - 3 years
2000 Newmar London Aire - 3 years (#18 of 23 produced)

Re: Source Chassis Battery Cables-Duracell replacing Optimas

Reply #2 –
And, better quality ones (particularly important for exposed cables) from marine stores.

Yes pre-tinned coated copper IS better (and more expensive) than "regular" battery cables.

Assemblies | Ancor
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Source Chassis Battery Cables-Duracell replacing Optimas

Reply #3 –
 I replaced all my battery cables when I put in the Bus Bars and used 4/0 welding cable with soldered ends- all within inches of the same length from the 3 Lifelines AGMs. Battery compartment is always clean, dry and no corrosion.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Source Chassis Battery Cables-Duracell replacing Optimas

Reply #4 –
Good choice on the batteries. As far as the cables go, option one is to use a hack saw and cut off the ends where they meet the copper lugs perhaps a half inch or so away so the copper is clean and without corrosion. Buy the proper sized copper lug from a parts house or welding shop and using electrical solder and a propane torch (kitchen torch for desserts works well), solder the new ends on. Use shrink tubing to make a neat and a little safer job.

Option two is as John did above. Go to a welding shop and buy cable and solder on new ends. Welding cable has many more copper strands and is softer copper so very flexible so needs to be supported going across open areas. Welding cable is not cheap as all copper is premium priced now. They should be the same size or larger. Never smaller!

If your batteries are located close to a possible ground point, make a short ground cable and run it from the negative terminal to the chassis. Never too many ground points.

Nice idea to replace all the battery terminals with the military two bolt style if you have any terminals like that. I also used stainless hardware everywhere I could. Fairly inexpensive and will not corrode.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)
 

Re: Source Chassis Battery Cables-Duracell replacing Optimas

Reply #5 –
Sib, Glad you found just what you need for your battery replacement. Our long time choice is to use "Military" battery terminal post terminals and have short cables with lug ends made to fit between terminals with some slack. Be careful how lug ends align on the ends so the bolt holes are in the same plane as these cables cannot be twisted to align to terminals. We even carry "Military" terminals which are different diameters for positive and negative posts.

The right place to make cables has a good crimper, we have also had them soldered, although I am not sure it is that much better.

NAPA AUTO PARTS - Home nals-Top-Mount-Official-Military-Post-Terminal/_/R-NW_728223_0063685508