Battery Terminals

[SmokeGreyAlbert]

My 1969 4 door has standard battery terminals - those that need you to drill a hole in the battery posts when you change it. Every now and again, usually at a junction, there is a complete loss of electrical power . It's easy to fix; I just need to tighten up the terminals' screws and away we go.

The screw fittings seem to loosen during the course of a drive because I check them for tightness every time I do my weekly checks of oil and water.

My question is; can a better design of terminal with a clamp as used in modern cars be fitted? This would save occasional embarassment. Any clues on sourcing them would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

SGA

[panky]

I think most cars are fitted with the clamp type, cant remember when I last saw one of the screw fixed cap type. It should just be a matter of stripping the cable back a bit as the clamps are usually held on to the cable with a couple of securing screws. I got a pair from Halfords for a couple of pounds when I changed polarity but remember positive and negative clamps are a different size.

[SmokeGreyAlbert]

Thanks a lot panky. I'll go along to Halfords and have a chat about the sizes.

I didn't know I had heritage battery caps!

SGA

[SmokeGreyAlbert]

I've just looked for parts on one of the advertisers in Minor Matters and ordered a pair of new battery leads complete with clamps. That'll fit in with my idea of gradually renewing any original parts that are showing their age.

Thanks again.

SGA

[panky]

Good idea, no messing around. Just a thought - is your car positive or negative earth, as I said before the terminals are different sizes so you need to get the right ones.
Welcome to the message board by the way

[SmokeGreyAlbert]

It's still positive earth so I bought one of each length and trust that the length difference between the earth terminal and solenoid terminal cables will be correct for the battery posts with that polarity.

Thanks for the welcome. I've been a club member since I bought Albert 22 years ago but as you saw this is my first use of the board. Wish I hadn't waited so long now!

SGA

[panky]

You are not alone