High Quality Battery Terminals

[turner66]

Does anybody have a source they like for buying very good high quality battery terminals? I need some replacements for my dual battery diesel trucks. This will be for top post batteries of course. They need to be for heavy gauge cables (1/0 - 3/0) and I'd like something other than the soft alloy the OEM's use... The current ones on the trucks (in my case Dodge's and Ford's) ultimately end up splitting or otherwise deforming from the vibration... Much appreciation if you can provide a recommendation...

Will also need a recommendation on best crimp tool (hydraulic?) for whatever the chosen terminal needs.

 

[flyingblind]

If you got the dough to swap batteries you could go to a post style top (group 31) like a semi, they use regular copper lugs.
And as for a lug crimper I bought this one from amazon and it is pretty slick.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HJXHX1K/?tag=atomicindus08-20

ETA semis use https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001QRXUXK/?tag=atomicindus08-20 this style hold down.

 

[Jlarson]

Anything we have to deal with post tops we get military style terminals then crimp lugs and/or use pre made cables.

The TEMCO crimpers work really well.

 

[Ashgrove]

"Quickcable" cast copper terminals, heavy glue filled shrink tube and the Temco crimper listed above. I prefer the stud style terminals when possible.

 

[turner66]

If you got the dough to swap batteries you could go to a post style top (group 31) like a semi, they use regular copper lugs.
And as for a lug crimper I bought this one from amazon and it is pretty slick.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HJXHX1K/?tag=atomicindus08-20

ETA semis use https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001QRXUXK/?tag=atomicindus08-20 this style hold down.

I wish I was using my brain before I did the last dual AGM battery replacement...
I will definitely do just that next time I replace batteries.
I see that crimper you reference goes up to 2/0 + so hopefully it can squeeze 3/0 or maybe i can find a 3/0 die? Thanks for that, I added it to the shopping cart. Always an opportunity for a tool junkie to get a fix

 

[turner66]

Anything we have to deal with post tops we get military style terminals then crimp lugs and/or use pre made cables.

The TEMCO crimpers work really well.

Oh, that seems like a good plan when combined with the previous suggestion.

That will allow me to switch the cable terminals and adapt to the current battery, then just eliminate the military terminal/adapter with the next battery replacement and the cables will already be ready to go. Any recommendation on a high quality combination of terminals?

 

[scooby074]

Grote.

 

[turner66]

Grote.

Unless I'm mistaken, I just checked the Grote website and I don't see anything in the 1/0-3/0 range. Are you aware of anything?
I'm seeing Selterm brand on Amazon but I don't have any prior experience with the quality...
I'm all for doing this once with high quality components.

I did find Grote military spec terminals/adapters on Zoro...
Still searching for good quality crimp cable terminals.

 

[scooby074]

Unless I'm mistaken, I just checked the Grote website and I don't see anything in the 1/0-3/0 range. Are you aware of anything?
I'm seeing Selterm brand on Amazon but I don't have any prior experience with the quality...
I'm all for doing this once with high quality components.

I did find Grote military spec terminals/adapters on Zoro...
Still searching for good quality crimp cable terminals.

Grotes mil style terminals are excellent to. Ive used lots of them. See below for standard terms. I usually solder and heat shrink as opposed to crimp. Grote also makes solder plugs that have both flux and solder in a short chunk that is pre-measured. Works a treat.

https://www.grote.com/file-attachments/Battery_Connectors_and_Cables.pdf

 

[jptbay]

I like the tinned (plated) copper battery terminals for marine applications.

Great corrosion resistance. Crimp them on and use adhesive shrink wrap. Good forever.

Example: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1722338719...LPoVsqiWRhtxZsgSBcFf2YAnU=|tkp:Bk9SR4K24bmbYQ

 

[vwpieces]

these are the best I have ever found.
No crimping, no soldering and copper.
I think delcity.com and Summit also carry them.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X362H7W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[tamaraw]

I think the Dodge/Ford factory terminals are stamped based on google pictures?

I have had good luck with these cast compression style terminals in the past although I haven't tried them on a heavy gauge diesel application like yours.

The idea is that as you thread the collet into the terminal, the conical threaded portion deforms and crushes in on the wire from all sides, forming a secure crimp without special tooling.

I don't know if this is the best vendor, but there is quite the selection listed over here:

Compression Connectors, Battery Terminals and Lugs

Compression Connectors - Battery Terminal Clamps and Lug Connectors. Heavy Duty, Rugged, Reliable. Made in the USA.

remybattery.com

 

[flyingblind]

I wish I was using my brain before I did the last dual AGM battery replacement...
I will definitely do just that next time I replace batteries.
I see that crimper you reference goes up to 2/0 + so hopefully it can squeeze 3/0 or maybe i can find a 3/0 die? Thanks for that, I added it to the shopping cart. Always an opportunity for a tool junkie to get a fix

Only thing I didn't like about the crimper is how wide it crimps, you have to double crimp to make the crimp wide, it is only about a 1/4 inch per bite.

 

[AdAstra]

I believe Grote relabels a lot of QuickCable's terminal lineup, including their "military style" (A52425) terminal-lug adapters, which are indeed excellent.

Beware of knockoffs of these, the spec calls for a steel insert inside the lead casting, but a lot of the imitations forgo the insert, leading to the lead cracking. The QuickCable ones have "Q-C" on them which helps identify who else is selling them.

This is them at a good price since it includes the boots: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07CH2JSL9/

 

[kaymccampbell]

I have the HF version of that hydraulic crimper. It's rather nice. I was pleasantly surprised while crimping aircraft cable for the dumbwaiter.

 

[Mirage]

You can pick up these milspec terminals from Napa, boots can be ordered online.

 

[turner66]

I believe Grote relabels a lot of QuickCable's terminal lineup, including their "military style" (A52425) terminal-lug adapters, which are indeed excellent.

Beware of knockoffs of these, the spec calls for a steel insert inside the lead casting, but a lot of the imitations forgo the insert, leading to the lead cracking. The QuickCable ones have "Q-C" on them which helps identify who else is selling them.

This is them at a good price since it includes the boots: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07CH2JSL9/

Good info right there! I see alot of these from different suppliers with the "Q-C" on them at prices all over the map, so it levels the playing field

 

[turner66]

I have the HF version of that hydraulic crimper. It's rather nice. I was pleasantly surprised while crimping aircraft cable for the dumbwaiter.

Thanks. I've been pretty satisfied with the quality of current HF products so I probably would have given it a try as well had the die sizes been comparable to the Temco. But, I do need the bigger ones up to 2/0+...
Incidentally if you look at it on a per die basis the cost is almost identical ($70/9 =$7.78/die vs $150/18=$8.30)

 

[kaymccampbell]

I figured I could regrind one of the smaller ones to 2\0 if I needed it.

 

[Luciferi]

How many cables are you trying to connect at the battery?

I have had good luck with quick cable fusion solder terminals, I prefer soldering rather than crimping the thick terminals. I typically get them from McMaster Carr.

That temco crimper is cheaper if you buy it direct from temco

 

[turner66]

How many cables are you trying to connect at the battery?

I have had good luck with quick cable fusion solder terminals, I prefer soldering rather than crimping the thick terminals. I typically get them from McMaster Carr.

That temco crimper is cheaper if you buy it direct from temco

Multiple trucks with dual battery configuration, several with multiple cables per battery terminal.
Thanks for the info, I may also try the solder terminals/lugs to see how I like them before making a final decision.

 

[rockcrawler]

I used Custom Battery Cables when upgrading the cables / terminals on my 2006 Ram 2500. These things are high quality and heavy duty.

Custom Battery Cables LLC. USA

We custom-build the highest quality cables right here in the USA. Order custom battery cables with heavy-duty, made-to-order cables.

www.custombatterycables.com

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

The TEMCO crimpers work really well.

What model are you using?

 

[seber]

I drove Dodge diesels for twenty years. I never had a battery connection problem. Not even on the one with 160,000 miles. I suggest you investigate out why they are coming loose.

 

[71firebird400]

I drove Dodge diesels for twenty years. I never had a battery connection problem. Not even on the one with 160,000 miles. I suggest you investigate out why they are coming loose.

The ends stretch over time and can't be tightened properly. At only 160,000 it's no wonder you're confused.

 

[turner66]

I drove Dodge diesels for twenty years. I never had a battery connection problem. Not even on the one with 160,000 miles. I suggest you investigate out why they are coming loose.

Sorry, but 160k is not even close to the miles I (and many others) have on these trucks... At that mileage, they're barely broke in. These trucks get worked (but not abused), and it is absolutely not unusual for OEM soft alloy battery terminals to stretch and/or split, as should be clear from the number of people in this thread having boatloads of experience replacing or rebuilding them. I don't even feel a little bit bad about investing in the best possible replacements as part of normal maintenance. They earned it.

 

[gearhead1]

You can pick up these milspec terminals from Napa, boots can be ordered online.

+1 on the military style. That is exactly what I use. If it is good enough for the military, it is good enough for me. I have a stamp crimper and use heat shrink and have no issues.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F0SLLFA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Jlarson]

Oh, that seems like a good plan when combined with the previous suggestion.

That will allow me to switch the cable terminals and adapt to the current battery, then just eliminate the military terminal/adapter with the next battery replacement and the cables will already be ready to go. Any recommendation on a high quality combination of terminals?

We get whatever brand advance, napa or the truck place has.

What model are you using?

I use the little one that goes to 2/0 more, I just got a new one to keep in my rig too. The bigger 2 hand one goes to 4/0, that can be handy of you need a new truck or equipment cable on a weekend or something.

 

[HenryAZ]

I used Custom Battery Cables when upgrading the cables / terminals on my 2006 Ram 2500. These things are high quality and heavy duty.

This is where I get my cables, used together with the mil-spec terminals. Great quality cables.

 

[John Young]

Does anybody have a source they like for buying very good high quality battery terminals? I need some replacements for my dual battery diesel trucks. This will be for top post batteries of course. They need to be for heavy gauge cables (1/0 - 3/0) and I'd like something other than the soft alloy the OEM's use... The current ones on the trucks (in my case Dodge's and Ford's) ultimately end up splitting or otherwise deforming from the vibration... Much appreciation if you can provide a recommendation...

Will also need a recommendation on best crimp tool (hydraulic?) for whatever the chosen terminal needs.

I've tried several styles, including "mil spec", and find that I prefer those made from billet aluminum. These from Rugged Rocks are what I use on my Jeep TJ.

~John

 

[Luciferi]

Depending on the space, If connecting more than a couple cables, I would prefer to keep the battery clean with a single cable off battery to distribution block.

Are any of these cables protected by fuses or breakers?

there are a lot of machined battery terminals for multiple cables in both bolt down and set screw.
https://toolmakermetalworkz-com.myshopify.com/

https://skyhighcaraudio.com/battery-terminals-1/

Sdhq has military style billet set
https://sdhqoffroad.com/products/sdhq-built-complete-billet-battery-terminal-kit