I am new to boating and have a newbie question. The battery has 2 terminals, one standard tapered lead and the other threaded. The main battery cable (2 awg) that runs to the alternator is connected to the lead, and the accessory cable (4awg) is connected to the threaded terminal. Is it because the lead post can carry higher current? In other words, can I connect the main cable to the threaded terminal?
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Dual battery post amp rating different?
- Thread starter paker
- Start date
madison069
Well-known member
Wires are sized by the amp that it will carry. As long as the wire and the terminal are rated for the amp that will be put on the system, they can go on either the tapered post or threaded post. Usually on boats, they place the starting cable on the taper post, and accessories and charging parks on the threaded post just for ease and clean look. My boat uses only threaded post connections, and I have three 12V batteries on the boat. One battery is for starting only and the other two are wired for all of the accessories. All connected via the threaded post.I am new to boating and have a newbie question. The battery has 2 terminals, one standard tapered lead and the other threaded. The main battery cable (2 awg) that runs to the alternator is connected to the lead, and the accessory cable (4awg) is connected to the threaded terminal. Is it because the lead post can carry higher current? In other words, can I connect the main cable to the threaded terminal?
What boat do you have?
Is it because the lead post can carry higher current? In other words, can I connect the main cable to the threaded terminal?
Simple answer is yes, the more robust terminal will have a higher amp rating.
The battery should have specs available
Snapped-off
Well-known member
You can put over 2500amps at 540VDC through a 6mm bolt.
I wouldn't be terribly worried about either connection.
I wouldn't be terribly worried about either connection.
pcmeiners
Well-known member
1,350,000 watts, 1/4" bolt..... agree if used as a fuse or instantaneous heater.You can put over 2500amps at 540VDC through a 6mm bolt.
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Snapped-off
Well-known member
That's how all my battery cables are connected to my UPS battery cells. 1,500KW @ 540VDC. Our new Lithium batteries are 570VDC, but who's counting.1,350,000 watts, 1/4" bolt..... agree if used as a fuse or instantaneous heater.
That's how all my battery cables are connected to my UPS battery cells. 1,500KW @ 540VDC. Our new Lithium batteries are 570VDC, but who's counting.
That's actually scary DC voltage.
Why?
Snapped-off
Well-known member
Gets inverted back to 480VAC. Probably simpler than throwing a transformer or massive cables and components in for a lower voltage.That's actually scary DC voltage.
Why?
nadogail
Well-known member
Is the Quarter Inch bolt the conductor or is it holding two conductors in contact with each other?
By itself I would not be confident with the bolt as the conductor, but if it is holding two conductors in constant with each other that may be fine.
My van uses 3/8” bolts to hold the battery cables tight against the side terminals.
By itself I would not be confident with the bolt as the conductor, but if it is holding two conductors in constant with each other that may be fine.
My van uses 3/8” bolts to hold the battery cables tight against the side terminals.
75gmck25
Well-known member
The typical side terminal connector for GM vehicles has a bolt in the middle to hold it, but the charging contact area is a circular metal fitting about an inch in diameter, and it snugs up tight against a similar circular fitting on the battery cable. It can handle way more amperage than what is running through a standard battery cable.