Battery Terminals - what type is best?

Tintin

Tintin

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Which battery terminal do you think are best?

My reckoning is that Type A below is probably the "proper" way to do things, with all connections being done by crimp connectors, however I don't have a crimp tool and would rather not buy one for just doing one installation, and I usually think that the less separate connections the better: less to go wrong.

Type B and C would both allow me to bunch up the cables and make a firm mechanical connection e.g. two battery cables (25mm2) for inter-bank, 2 x 25mm2 + adverc sensor cables + BM1 cables.

So what is the general consensus - should I use separate crimps and go with Type A?

If not, what is the general consensus about either Type B or Type C terminals - I am leaning towards Type C at the moment.

Type A - 8mm lug

View attachment 12224


Type B - clamp type

View attachment 12226


Type C - through bolt type (up to 60mm cable)

View attachment 12225
 
I ue the following ones on my boats.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/QUICK-RELEASE...ervan_Caravan_Accessories&hash=item53e7c74a57

You can buy them from any caravan shop. I like the insulated cover, and you can pull them off quickly should you need to. thay keep the terminals clean as well,

Of your options I would use "C".

I don't like the idea of more than one wire/cable going to a terminal. My starter battery goes via a switch to the starter motor. My domestic batteries go to a distribution junction box via a fuse and switch to a junction/distribution box. Any other cables terminate at that, including a feed from a second domestic battery. All the negative terminal (all batteries) go to a negative junction box. That arrangement keeps the battery space nice and neat without loads of random wires being present.
 
Last edited:
MrCramp said:
I sue the following ones on my boats.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/QUICK-RELEASE...ervan_Caravan_Accessories&hash=item53e7c74a57

You can buy them from any caravan shop. I like the insulated cover, and you can pull them off quickly should you need to. thay keep the terminals clean as well.
Click to expand...

Now they look good - I like them a lot. Thx.

I guess the core of my question is whether to use seperate crimp rings for each cable or to bundle up the bare ends together and clamp.
 
Although it may not affect you, I believe Type A would be the only type allowed under the Boat Safety Scheme. Might tell you something about the safety/good practice issues involved.
 
MrCramp said:
I ue the following ones on my boats.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/QUICK-RELEASE...ervan_Caravan_Accessories&hash=item53e7c74a57

You can buy them from any caravan shop. I like the insulated cover, and you can pull them off quickly should you need to. thay keep the terminals clean as well,

Of your options I would use "C".

I don't like the idea of more than one wire/cable going to a terminal. My starter battery goes via a switch to the starter motor. My domestic batteries go to a distribution junction box via a fuse and switch to a junction/distribution box. Any other cables terminate at that, including a feed from a second domestic battery. All the negative terminal (all batteries) go to a negative junction box. That arrangement keeps the battery space nice and neat without loads of random wires being present.
Click to expand...

I am not sure I really like the bent tinplate clamp for securing the cable, I for one prefer terminals that use cimps which give very reliable connections. I tend to buy batteries with 8mm studs or use type A
 
Bunching up several cables and using the types illustrated as B and C or the quick disconnect types will be recipe for bad connections and future troubles.

Chapter 3 of the Boat Safety Scheme does identify certain cables where crimped, soldered or other proprietary connectors must be used.

I'd think a limited number of cables fitted with crimped terminals could be accommodated on those illustrated as type A but beyond that small number they ought to be connected via a bus bar.
 
Another vote for type A.
I've just re-wired using them and they're simple and robust with 10mm connections on 50sq mm cable. My new batteries also have a supplementary 8mm stud on each terminal that I've used for low current/voltage sensing connections.
 
reddragon2 said:
My reckoning is that Type A below is probably the "proper" way to do things, with all connections being done by crimp connectors, however I don't have a crimp tool and would rather not buy one for just doing one installation, and I usually think that the less separate connections the better: less to go wrong.
Click to expand...

Type C for single cable connections, Type A for multiples. Any motor factor will sell you the crimp connectors and make them up for a small sum, and probably free if you buy the cable from him.

April034.jpg
 
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