battery terminals

[deerhound]

I am looking for opinions/ advice on the best way to terminate the power cables into the battery terminals, just leave all the individual strands and crush the wires with the holding screws, or solder all individual wires toghter then secure with holding screws, I found on a car that when wires are soldered the holding screws seem to work loose and require continual checking, but I don't know what method to use on boat? also can anyone advise on the best way to wire BILGE PUMP, ie; take power wire to switch or earth wire to switch? Many thanks for any help? J.B.D.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: battery terminals

If you're not going to put a big crimp type ring terminal on then I would just leave them with no solder but maybe a touch of grease to prevent corrosion. The power wire always goes through the switch, fuse, breaker whatever and the grounds go directly to the neg connector, buss strip whatever.

 

[deerhound]

Re: battery terminals

Many thanks Boatin Bob, so would I take power wire from battery via fuse (fuse next to battery) to switch, from switch to bilge pump, and negative on bilge pump to battery negative? also should there be some kind of tell tale to show when bilge pump is switched on ie; illuminated switch, and when you say grease, do you mean say water proof or would petrolium jelly be better, this is my first boat after 40 years and the way in which the former owner left it is somthing else, all wires twisted toghter with masking tape, a complete mess! I would never venture anywhere in it unless it is correct? thank you very much, Jim from Bonnie Scotland.

 

[crab bait]

Re: battery terminals

'grease',, a DI-electric grease.. available at any hardware or boat/marine store.. <br /><br />put on every an any ring/circle/spade/push-on/lite bulbs/mechanical connection.. <br /><br />make sure you coat the wire strands of the cable before you set tite.. an battery posts ,also.. <br /><br />it keeps the 'greenies' out..

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: battery terminals

I think crab bait pretty much covered the grease. Yes you could put in an illuminated switch. Another question for you is, does the boat stay in the water for periods of time, if so you may want to consider an automatic bilge pump or adding a float switch to the one you have.

 

[deerhound]

Re: battery terminals

thanks to Crab Bait and to you Boatin Bob, great help, I have taken the boat out of water and have it here at home,the mess the wiring etc; was in is somthing else, I installed the new pump, but find the plastic pipe far to rigid and will stress the pump outlet so now looking for more flexable pipe, wonder if pump drains down or if water still lies in pipe? will get the di- electric for all connections, have seen a coloured product used on ham aerials, (I am Ham as well (CW ONLY) but cant find it for sale? many thanks again everone, J.B.D.

 

[deerhound]

Re: battery terminals

I have now finished of the starting battery with the method advised and used the di-electric grease on everything! Engine starts no bother, I have purchased a set of the clip on battery terminals for the other battery which will run the bilge pump gauges etc, Is this the right way to go? or again use clamp type the nuts/bolts. thanks all JBD

 

[crab bait]

Re: battery terminals

well i guess 'clamp-on's ' will be ok.. but what'll happen some day when you really need it.. an one of the clamps fell off.. <br /><br />i like everthing hardwired an permenant..