Whether you need to install a new battery in your car or your boat, taking a few precautions when installing, and doing it right, will help ensure not only that you don’t suddenly lose power, but will protect the battery and its leads as well. Here are some things you can do to ensure everything is installed properly and that you preserve your battery cable and wire.
Make Sure the Connections Are Tight
First, you want solid connections at your battery’s terminals. If the connections are not tight enough, you may suddenly lose power or not be able to start the engine in the first place. Hand-tight is not tight enough; most battery cables have clamps that are tightened via a 10mm wrench. Make sure the connections are tight once you’re done with the installation.
Use Appropriate Battery Cable or Wire
If you’re replacing the battery’s leads, make sure you use an appropriate battery cable or wire. For instance, if you are installing a marine battery and replacing the wire, use marine battery wire, which is more flexible than standard battery cable and wire and which has conductors that are individually tinned to resist corrosion.
Keep the Terminals Clean
Over time, the battery may produce discharge around its terminals which will potentially interfere with the connection of the leads. Use a battery terminal cleaner to scrub off any discharge from around the terminals if there is any present, before reestablishing the connections.
Use Terminal Protectors
There are terminal protectors that you can install which will help ensure a solid electrical connection and which may be effective at helping to prevent corrosion at the terminals. If possible use these.
Minimize Exposed Sections of Battery Cable and Wire
When stripping battery cable or wire, only strip away as little as is possible to attach a terminal or establish a connection. Before you finalize any connections with solder or a crimper, use heat-shrink insulation to cover as much of the exposed wire as possible to protect it against abrasion and corrosion.
Apply Dielectric Grease to Exposed Leads
Once you have established your electrical connections, apply a little bit of dielectric grease to all remaining exposed sections of battery cable or wire. Dielectric grease is an excellent insulator and will help prevent corrosion anywhere the leads are exposed.
One note of caution is that you must make sure you do not get any dielectric grease in between the leads and the connections, because, since dielectric grease is an insulator, it will interrupt the connection. This is why it should only be applied after the connection has been established.
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