Re: Automotive posts vs. "L" terminals (was: RE: US Battery US8VGC-HC Questions)

["Bob Rice" <bobrice@snet.net>]

> Nawaz Qureshi wrote:
>
> > ...  I recommend "L" terminals for EV's or upgraded golf
> > cars....
>
> Hi Nawaz,
>
> I've seen you make this recommendation before, and it puzzles me.  I
> would think the automotive posts would be better for EVs because of
> their much-greater contact surface area.  I know that in many cases the
> ability of a cable to approach a post at any angle makes automotive
> posts very desirable.
>
> Why do you recommend "L" terminals over automotive posts?  How big a
> difference is there between the two types?  Can an automotive post be
> made as reliable as an "L" terminal by prepping the contact surfaces
> properly?
>
      Hi All;

   I think ya meant that the other way 'round, can "l" terms be made......

    NO Way! I don't see WHY the battery builders went to those @#$%^ posts.
Cheaper, I guess? Phooy! Ya end up making up a new batch of cell connecters
ifya change battery brands. Big pain ifya haven't an Acthylene outfit to
solder up new ones!Tony Ascrizzi an' I just spent a busy evening with about
6-9 batteries chopping off the "l's" and soldering a real post atop the
center of the post that goes through the top of the battery. Tony made up a
aluminum mold that he has the rite sizes to tap onto the post where the L
was and solders-casts a beefy new post, with a deft touch, a lead ingot made
from those cut off "L"s, with a plumbers acythlene torch. After that
operation we melt down the "L's" to salvage the nice stainless Steel bolt
for other uses  So it's the same as a battery that came from the factory
made that way. I guess yu could argue that it costs more to make the
terminals and connecters, as ya have to get the REAL ones from a battery
place an' solder, better, or crimp the wires to the terminals. But when ya
put these automotive clamp terminals on thr posts and snug them down tight,
it's a warm feeling, cuz yu KNOW that THEY won't be warm under load. I
havent EVer blown a post off a battery yet. They don't even get warm with
400 anp turnpike launches and brakestands. When I was playing musical
batteries a few weeks ago FORGOT to tighten a few of the post clamps, just
pushed them on and went on my way. Loose for about 2 weaks, and they STILL
carried the current of day to day drivin' Was amazed that the posts didn't
melt down!! when melting down the dead "L" posts was amazed that the only
thing keeping them from pulling through the lead was the chintzy half inch
hex head! So ifya tighten it all ya do is pull it through the Very Soft
lead! Now ya know better!

    If yur buying new batteries demand, an' yul get real posts, it's YOUR
1200 bux!

    O.K down off my soapbox for now. Back to AC vs DC, yur regular
programming<G>

      Bob.........Post on Posts
>