The Ford Barn

bunnyc · 08-12-2016, 12:57 PM

I'm aware that the positive and negative posts on batteries are different diameters. Positive is larger than negative. This causes a slight problem with positive ground systems. Battery cable clamps are sized for the more common negative ground system.

On to my experience today; came out of Lowe's to a no start situation. Step on the starter and there was silence. My first thought was to check the battery cables. Sure enough the cable on the negative post was loose. The clamp bolt is tight, but I was able to twist it slightly on the battery post and it started right up.

Got home and installed a sheet metal screw between the clamp and post to secure it as a temporary/permanent fix.

Maybe the vendors have a cable with the proper battery clamp; I'll check.
I could also remove the present cable and grind off some of the lug so the bolt will tighten the clamp on the post.

I mention all this in case someone else has a similar experience. Check the easy things first.

Patrick L. · 08-12-2016, 01:08 PM

Kinda common.. Sometimes one can remove the bolt and hacksaw a slot where the clamp has come together to gain enough gap for proper 'clampness'.

C26Pinelake · 08-12-2016, 01:14 PM

If you buy a new cable make sure you but 6 volt cables. Wayne

tbirdtbird · 08-12-2016, 01:16 PM

that is exactly what we do

Bob C · 08-12-2016, 01:20 PM

Get one of these. http://www.autozone.com/batteries-st...er/257147_0_0/

Bob

Russ/40 · 08-12-2016, 02:08 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I'll be! never saw one of those. Thanks

Bill Wright · 08-12-2016, 02:18 PM

You know that "Clampness" is a secret term not to be used with wild abandon!

SeaSlugs · 08-12-2016, 02:33 PM

The farm N Fleet battery i have the temp positive cable im using (store bought universal red battery cable) fits on the neg post snugly and the braided cable fits on the neg post tightly.

But yes those caps posted above will work but be aware they can corrode underneath and have weird no start issues.

Mitch//pa · 08-12-2016, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaSlugs

The farm N Fleet battery i have the temp positive cable im using (store bought universal red battery cable) fits on the neg post snugly and the braided cable fits on the neg post tightly.

But yes those caps posted above will work but be aware they can corrode underneath and have weird no start issues.

Yep I would not ever use them to many issues, high resistance etc...

BILL WILLIAMSON · 08-12-2016, 03:14 PM

Our Old Battery Shop can nip off your post & mold on one, of either size!---$3.00, PLEASE!
Bill Volt

George Miller · 08-12-2016, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

Yep I would not ever use them to many issues, high resistance etc...

Nor would I. Just asking for trouble. I also use the hacksaw trick.

Big hammer · 08-12-2016, 04:22 PM

Just keep screwing the screw in! That's what we had to do to dad's truck until the battery cable fairy took a new cable off dad's store shelf and replaced the cable! He asked me once if I knew why his truck still had gas in it, I then told him I rebuilt the carburator! He thought I wasn't putting gas in the tank, keeping the $ for myself. On a Sunday afternoon drive in the family car, we had a no start and a customer of dad jumped started the car and said John you need water in your battery! Guess who had to check dad's batteries after that!

08-12-2016, 12:57 PM	#1
bunnyc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: KY Posts: 296	Battery posts I'm aware that the positive and negative posts on batteries are different diameters. Positive is larger than negative. This causes a slight problem with positive ground systems. Battery cable clamps are sized for the more common negative ground system. On to my experience today; came out of Lowe's to a no start situation. Step on the starter and there was silence. My first thought was to check the battery cables. Sure enough the cable on the negative post was loose. The clamp bolt is tight, but I was able to twist it slightly on the battery post and it started right up. Got home and installed a sheet metal screw between the clamp and post to secure it as a temporary/permanent fix. Maybe the vendors have a cable with the proper battery clamp; I'll check. I could also remove the present cable and grind off some of the lug so the bolt will tighten the clamp on the post. I mention all this in case someone else has a similar experience. Check the easy things first.

08-12-2016, 01:08 PM	#2
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Battery posts Kinda common.. Sometimes one can remove the bolt and hacksaw a slot where the clamp has come together to gain enough gap for proper 'clampness'.

08-12-2016, 01:14 PM	#3
C26Pinelake BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan / Ontario border, Sarnia, Ontario. 50 miles from Detroit and 150 from Toronto. Posts: 5,800	Re: Battery posts If you buy a new cable make sure you but 6 volt cables. Wayne

08-12-2016, 01:16 PM	#4
tbirdtbird BANNED Join Date: May 2012 Location: inside your RAM Posts: 3,134	Re: Battery posts that is exactly what we do __________________ '31 180A

08-12-2016, 02:08 PM	#6
Russ/40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee, California Posts: 3,505	Re: Battery posts Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I'll be! never saw one of those. Thanks

08-12-2016, 02:18 PM	#7
Bill Wright Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: California Posts: 76	Re: Battery posts You know that "Clampness" is a secret term not to be used with wild abandon!

08-12-2016, 02:33 PM	#8
SeaSlugs Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central, IL Posts: 3,968	Re: Battery posts The farm N Fleet battery i have the temp positive cable im using (store bought universal red battery cable) fits on the neg post snugly and the braided cable fits on the neg post tightly. But yes those caps posted above will work but be aware they can corrode underneath and have weird no start issues. __________________ 1929 Model AA - Need long splash aprons!

08-12-2016, 03:14 PM	#10
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Battery posts Our Old Battery Shop can nip off your post & mold on one, of either size!---$3.00, PLEASE! Bill Volt __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

08-12-2016, 04:22 PM	#12
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,430	Re: Battery posts Just keep screwing the screw in! That's what we had to do to dad's truck until the battery cable fairy took a new cable off dad's store shelf and replaced the cable! He asked me once if I knew why his truck still had gas in it, I then told him I rebuilt the carburator! He thought I wasn't putting gas in the tank, keeping the $ for myself. On a Sunday afternoon drive in the family car, we had a no start and a customer of dad jumped started the car and said John you need water in your battery! Guess who had to check dad's batteries after that!