Negative battery terminal

[xantiagreen]

Still haven't got round to replacing the battery, seems to be running fine since my last post on the battery in Jan 2015, it seems the problem is that the negative clamp does not tighten up snug on the terminal post, I have seen lead terminal shims that can be used as a permanent fix. I am hoping someone has a permanent diy fix of wrapping the right amount of material around the post to snug up the negative clamp. I was looking to buy some fuse wire and wrapping that around the post.

I'm sure someone will correct me to the stupidity of doing that (In my younger days I wired a tv and a radio cassette player into the same plug, my aim was to record the theme tune to knight rider)

Thanking u all, belated Merry Christmas and a Happy new year to everyone..

[Carsten S]

Remove the bolt from the terminal, and install two blades in a hacksaw, and cut through. That way you can open the gap in it.

Best thing however, is to replace the cable - The old crimps (in both ends) will begin to give problems. I recently made a new one for my C5. 50 mm² to the gearbox, and 35 mm² to chassis. No ground-issues more

[xantiagreen]

Remove the bolt from the terminal, and install two blades in a hacksaw, and cut through. That way you can open the gap in it.

Best thing however, is to replace the cable - The old crimps (in both ends) will begin to give problems. I recently made a new one for my C5. 50 mm2 to the gearbox, and 35 mm2 to chassis. No ground-issues more

Thanks Carsten, will look at the cutting through scenario, I was hoping to just wrap some material around the post so that the clamp would tighten up.

[BenC5HDi]

Either replace the cable, or go to Halfords and get a new clamp. Cut the old clamp off, put the new clamp on. The clamps are cheap and it's a permanent fix. You'll need a hacksaw or dremel to cut the old clamp off. I've done it on a few cars including at least 2 Xantias.

[xantiagreen]

just found a post from a US site that using solder wrapped around the post is a good fix as the solder is a good conductor and will crush up against the post giving good contact..

[KennyW]

Faz,

I just replace mine with a normal clamp type but I did cut out the cable and fixed into new no prolems or hassels.

It is my intention to renew both cables and a new +ve clamp in better weather.

Kenny

[xantiagreen]

Either replace the cable, or go to Halfords and get a new clamp. Cut the old clamp off, put the new clamp on. The clamps are cheap and it's a permanent fix. You'll need a hacksaw or dremel to cut the old clamp off. I've done it on a few cars including at least 2 Xantias.

Cheers Ben I'm trying my best to avoid paying for any parts if I can get away with a home made remedy for now, I'm hoping to go Manchester in the next hour...

[BenC5HDi]

The basic clamp is about £3 from Halfords and it takes about 15 mins to swap over if you have a means of cutting the old one off. It's soft metal, a mini-hacksaw will do. It'll cost you £3 or whatever, but it'll be a permanent repair.

[xantiagreen]

Faz,

I just replace mine with a normal clamp type but I did cut out the cable and fixed into new no prolems or hassels.

It is my intention to renew both cables and a new +ve clamp in better weather.

Kenny

I have the O tube type clamp.

[BenC5HDi]

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/bulbs- ... -connector

would be what you need.

[Xantidote]

If the cables are secure in the battery clamps, then I'd go for Carsten's simple suggestion - ie. remove clamp from battery, close it up, and then run the hacksaw blade through bewteen the 2 faces, thereby removing a bit of the lead material. I had the same problem on a BX years ago, and removed enough metal with a thin edge file which did the job well

The basic problem is that lead is a soft metal, and stretches if overtightened, and in the case of my BX, it had stretched so much as to close the gap when it was on the battery terminal, and in the end resulted in poor contact between the clamp & the terminal.

[xantiagreen]

The basic clamp is about £3 from Halfords and it takes about 15 mins to swap over if you have a means of cutting the old one off. It's soft metal, a mini-hacksaw will do. It'll cost you £3 or whatever, but it'll be a permanent repair.

Ended up placing 3 strands of solder wire in a triangle position and it tightened up a treat, since then car has started instantly starter sounds very lively must be thinking batteries on steroids. Here's hoping the banner running bull rages on for another year or two. If all else fails i'll go the Halfords route for sure.

Cheers

[xantiagreen]

If the cables are secure in the battery clamps, then I'd go for Carsten's simple suggestion - ie. remove clamp from battery, close it up, and then run the hacksaw blade through bewteen the 2 faces, thereby removing a bit of the lead material. I had the same problem on a BX years ago, and removed enough metal with a thin edge file which did the job well

The basic problem is that lead is a soft metal, and stretches if overtightened, and in the case of my BX, it had stretched so much as to close the gap when it was on the battery terminal, and in the end resulted in poor contact between the clamp & the terminal.

The xantia's starting is unbelievable compared to previous, thanks for the info will have it to hand if this mod fails....


Cheers

[old-un77]

a strip 1/2 inch wide of thin lead flashing wrapped around the post might be better than solder,
in a emergency...
Bob

[xantiagreen]

a strip 1/2 inch wide of thin lead flashing wrapped around the post might be better than solder,
in a emergency...
Bob

Cheers Bob will try and find some thin lead flashing from somewhere (from a store of course, or a small piece off brothers flat roof.) I suppose that would be a decent permanent fix, will I keep an eye out for some lead as well..