Battery height & L terminal info

[EVDRIVER@aol.com]

In response to several requests/suggestions about battery height of 6 & 8 volt
golf cart batteries & L terminals :
The battery height stated in the manufacturers literature nearly always
includes the terminal height. The height of a USB T-125 or 8V-GC with an L
terminal is 10 7/8" to the top of the terminal.

Keep in mind that when installing the 8V-GC that while physical dimensions are
the same, the terminal arrangement is NOT.  On the 6 volt golf cart batteries
the terminals are at diagonally opposite corners.  The 8 volters have
terminals that are both on 1 side of the battery (long edge). If you are
installing 8 volters in place of 6 volters you will also have to fabricate new
cables for the majority of the pack !

When ordering your replacement batteries you also need to tell the
manufacturer the correct positioning of the L terms. I have seen several
variations. On some batteries the "flag" part of the terminal can be oriented
facing either the center, end or long edge of the battery. Make sure you get
the supplier to put them in the same position as the batteries you are
replacing or you may be in for a time consuming/expensive recabling job !

Also upon receipt of your new L terminal batteries, be sure and check for
leaks around the terminals. I generally tip the batteries over on their sides
far enough to allow electrolyte to reach the terminal seals & check for any
leakage.  I discovered this problem on several batches of batteries & was able
to determine that batteries having the  L terminals "factory" installed were
generally ok.  However some distributors actually do their own terminal
installations & if they get the case just a little too hot in the lead melting
process, the terminal seal can be damaged. Sometimes the damage is even
visible as a distortion in the plastic case around the seal area. Any suspect
batteries should be returned to the distributor for replacement, unless of
course you ENJOY cleaning battery cables !

Mike Slominski
MIke's Auto Care &
Electric Conversions
951 S. Claremont St.
San Mateo, Ca. 94402
650-343-8801
650-343-4131 fax