Battery Clamps - Bare Wire?

LeadFarmer · Aug 5, 2013

The quick release battery clamps on my caravans leisure battery look like they need tidying up as there is bare wire showing. So what would be the correct way of doing this?

Shrink wrap?
insulation tape?
Leave it alone?

fanatic · Aug 5, 2013

that's gash

heat shrink

200tdi ayre · Aug 5, 2013

Yeah I use heat shrink for big stuff or wherever possible

fanatic · Aug 6, 2013

400v 250 amp a phase in ip cabinet lol

baptista · Aug 6, 2013

Murphy's law:
"if it ain't broken, don't try to go fix it"

Optimus Prime · Aug 6, 2013

tbh it looks gash, but the bare copper showing isn't really an issue as the back of the clamp assembly is all uninsulated anyway.

I'm guessing its two cables strapped together, which is why there are two (poorly crimped) crimps. you could do away with the crimps altogether and clamp the cables into the recess as it is designed.

Insulating tape is poo for this, it will end up a horrible sticky mess. You may struggle with heat shrink due to the differing size of the clamp and the cable. However, by the wonders of modern science, there is something called self amalgamating tape which would do the job. You stretch it then wrap it round, a bit like insulating tape, then it slowly all fuses together. Takes a bit of practice to look good (I'm **** at it) but thats the way to go, always use it when breaking into wiring looms or whatever.

Pikey · Aug 6, 2013

Optimus Prime said:
tbh it looks gash, but the bare copper showing isn't really an issue as the back of the clamp assembly is all uninsulated anyway.

They is self clamping thingies ya put em on the battery and the Plastic cover presses down over the exposed copper clamp it also closes them so they slamp onto the terminal post.

brian47 · Aug 6, 2013

+1 for the self amalgamating tape.

Left to me, I would remove that icky tape around the wires, undo the bolts holding the crimp eyes and tape up each individual wire.
Refasten the crimps and use cable ties to hold the wires together.
Apply a thin coating of grease (lanolin grease is best, if you can get it but LM will do) to the battery terminal posts and the terminal clamps.

LeadFarmer · Aug 6, 2013

redhand said:
so they slamp onto the terminal post.

Great word

Ill undo the two screws, remove the existing insulation tape, and then use either shrink wrap or the self amalgamating stuff.

Thanks

Optimus Prime · Aug 6, 2013

or cut the crimps off, twist the copper strands together and put the resultant single cable into the clamp bit so the insulation stops where the metal of the clamp starts, then when the top is snapped down, it will all be covered and insulated.

The Mad Hat Man · Aug 6, 2013

Optimus Prime said:
or cut the crimps off, twist the copper strands together and put the resultant single cable into the clamp bit so the insulation stops where the metal of the clamp starts, then when the top is snapped down, it will all be covered and insulated.

if its not too corroded, tin the end to stop it fraying. Only the end though.

Battery Clamps - Bare Wire?

LeadFarmer

Well-Known Member

fanatic

RESPECT IS EARNED, BEATINGS ARE FREE ;-)

200tdi ayre

Well-Known Member

fanatic

RESPECT IS EARNED, BEATINGS ARE FREE ;-)

baptista

Active Member

Optimus Prime

Well-Known Member

Pikey

Dummy Ejection Facilitator..

brian47

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LeadFarmer

Well-Known Member

Optimus Prime

Well-Known Member

The Mad Hat Man

Well-Known Member

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