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Old 09-24-2014, 06:59 PM   #1
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House Battery cable help!

Alright, went ahead and picked up a new Deka Intimidator 4D AGM battery from the distributor in SLC yesterday since I was down in the area for work. Went ahead and dropped the battery tonight to install the freshie (the installed was a generic low-grade battery that would barely last 24hrs running the fridge and was at least 5-6+yrs old). When I picked up the battery the salesman informed me there were 2 styles of posts. 'Automotive post' and the 'L' style bracket.

After not knowing what my van had I called SMB and Peter informed me they use the L style for a better connection. Well low and behold when I dropped the battery tonight I discovered my build didn't use the L style... I now have post mount cables and an L post battery sitting here.

Really don't want to make a special trip 1-1:15hr ea way to just exchange the battery out and I was really hoping to use the van this wkd. The auto parts store a few miles from here sells the crimp on style lugs for battery cables. Anyone ever swapped out cable ends before - any special tools etc...? Or do I suck it up and make another trip back

Thanks for the help

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Old 09-24-2014, 07:29 PM   #2
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Re: House Battery cable help!

Maybe you can take the cable to a welding shop and have them crimp on the lug. I like a hydraulic press but there are some good hand crimp tools you might be able to rent. Make sure the Deka battery has ample room above the lugs and clears the body. Good luck.
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Old 09-24-2014, 10:00 PM   #3
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Re: House Battery cable help!

Hi,

Soldering a lug on with a handheld propane torch is pretty easy.

Cut back the insulation to match the lug depth. Make sure the cable is clean. Push the cable into the lug so the lug opening is facing up, slowly heat the lug and inserted cable up. Once the piece is hot enough to melt non acidic solder simply fill the lug with hot shiny solder and allow to cool.

Better conductivity than a crimp and no air space for corrosion.

Regards,

Gavin
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Old 09-25-2014, 10:46 AM   #4
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Re: House Battery cable help!

A stereo shop should be able to crimp on new terminals for you too. They probably dont have them so you would need to get them from the auto parts store.
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Old 09-25-2014, 11:01 AM   #5
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Re: House Battery cable help!

I am with daveb on this. I tried to solder on a lug and it was impossible.

If you have an Airgas welding shop nearby you can purchase the copper crimp-on connectors (friggin' huge) and also your own cable crimper to use on a stout piece of concrete with a sledge or in a 6" or bigger bench vise. I did both. I used the bench vise first and then gave the crimper a whack with the sledge.

Welders crimp lugs to welding cable. They don't use solder.

Airgas will also likely have the big heat shrink wire insulation tubes (make sure you put them on before you attach the connector).

BTW, apparently electrical current flows on the outside of the wire (who knew?) so that's why welding cable is made with a lot of fine little gauge wires so as to reduce current loss due to resistance. So welding cable is the best for the 12v house battery side of our vans. And you can buy it at Airgas too.

And L brackets are the way to go, automotive posts suck.
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Old 09-25-2014, 04:18 PM   #6
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Re: House Battery cable help!

The crimper on the left (green) is what I use for Battery Cables,

it quite large but does the job great. The cheaper hammer crimp certainly is doable.


What ever method you use a good adhesive lined heat shrink is a must ( That is also in the picture)

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Old 09-25-2014, 04:52 PM   #7
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Re: House Battery cable help!

Well, my local Napa came to the rescue. They went ahead and crimped on some lugs and they had the heavy duty adhesive heat shrink. Happy to say the battery is back in it's happy place all hooked up and under the van. in moving the old battery - discovered it was a traditional wet-cell too that was leaking a bit. Excited to see how this new AGM does.
Thanks Again for all the help

Cheers!
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