what do you use for batteries?

[mikeselky85]

i was wandering what you guys use to remove battery side posts, the ones that usually are a 5/16 screw. i know theres some tool made for them and i know you can also just use any 5/16 wrench. but i was just wondering what some of you guys used. i was thinkin a mac flex head ratchet wrench would be a good choice because of the 6 point design, but i know im not a big fan of mac.

 

[aussiek2000]

I usually just use a 5/16 or 8mm ratchet wrench.

 

[SpeedCoach]

I've not come across one yet that isnt an 8mm.......my ratcheting combo wrench is my go to for this job.

 

[Scout Driver]

I use the 5/16 ratcheting battery wrenches. Is there a better version of these? The teeth are coarse and crude. They are too short too.

Scott

 

[davesnothere]

I've got a 5/16 ratcheting battery wrench with a super long handle.
Bought off the mac truck, made by kastar.

I like the coarse crude action of it, for the specific application of battery side terminals, as opposed to a finer tooth regular ratcheting wrench. And its got a nice fat handle as well.

 

[trbomax]

I thought the OP wanted to know what KIND I use. I prefer the duracell size "C".

 

[Vettman]

I happened to be in Kmart the other day and found this for around $5.00 bucks. It was one of the few items mfg. in the U.S.A.

 

[scott37300]

Snap on has two 5/16" battery wrenches, one being a long handled ratchet.

 

[Greatbear]

The Snappy and the CM are identical save for the color and markings.

 

[Techniker]

Why not just use an 8 mm socket on a 1/4" ratchet? I feel like there are a lot of places you can spend your money on in tools, but a special side terminal ratchet should not be one of them.

Just my thought,
Techniker

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

I've always kept a battery wrench around, just because of the convenience factor. I've even got a set of those specialty battery pliers for top posts in the box, just because my high school auto shop teacher said to never use anything else.

Come to think of it, I have a dedicated Crescent wrench for equipment batteries just because of the corrosion issues from all the acidic dust.

 

[Zrexxer]

Why not just use an 8 mm socket on a 1/4" ratchet? I feel like there are a lot of places you can spend your money on in tools, but a special side terminal ratchet should not be one of them.

It's not like you'd have to be eating canned beans and noodle ramen to afford it; even the YA249 Blue Point pictured is only $12.

 

[spazzer]

I got a short and long handle battery wrench, like this one.

 

[diesel research]

1/2" socket. Then again, I like lead mil spec terminals. Did have a coworker arc out and burn my SO 1/2" combo wrench doing a battery, burnt a nice chunk of it off. Wish they had composite ratchets back then.

 

[mrholeshot]

Why not just use an 8 mm socket on a 1/4" ratchet? I feel like there are a lot of places you can spend your money on in tools, but a special side terminal ratchet should not be one of them.

Just my thought,
Techniker

Sometimes it can be too tight for a ratchet and socket. Plus the rubber handle keeps the sparks down although the neg should come off first. I like them because of convienance. I still have one given to me me when I worked in an Olds dealership back in the early 80's

 

[scott37300]

Are some battery terminals 5/16" and some 8mm?

Doing some googling I see they make both sizes for battery wrenches. Just wondering where each one would be used?

 

[nate379]

5/16" and 8mm are pretty much the same size.