How to connect battery terminals

How to connect battery terminals

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Discussion

Sogra

Original Poster:

471 posts

217 months

Sunday 11th June 2023
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Looking for help with something I should be better at. I am more than reasonably capable with a set of tools but for some reason I struggle like a Twxxt when I try and connect or disconnect the battery on my Street Triple. The square nut that goes inside the terminal never stays still or finds it easier to cross thread than an easy thing on an easy day or even worse falls out the side never to be seen again

It would make sense to connect up then drop in the battery tray but you can’t do that with the cables attached.

Someone who designed this must also have worked in a torture chamber.

jjones

4,435 posts

199 months

Sunday 11th June 2023
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poke a little bit of card under the nut to hold it in place, this holds it up a little to enable the threads to engage, especially useful if you have added extra cables to the battery for accessories.

KTMsm

27,434 posts

269 months

Sunday 11th June 2023
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I use a bit of kitchen roll - both under the nut and in the socket to keep pressure on the bolt and keep it straight

I also find doing it with a 1/4 ratchet set makes it easier to feel what's going on

Steve Bass

10,316 posts

239 months

Sunday 11th June 2023
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Tiny dab of LM grease on the underside of the rectangular nut will hold in place.

the cueball

1,256 posts

61 months

Sunday 11th June 2023
quotequote all
I use really small pliers to hold the nut and get it started..



Edited by the cueball on Monday 12th June 09:23

Sidecar Man

611 posts

67 months

Sunday 11th June 2023
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I use a small cable tie doubled over and pushed under the nut.

Sogra

Original Poster:

471 posts

217 months

Sunday 11th June 2023
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Thanks all. Really like the cable tie as that gives a bit of spring but all sound better than what I’ve been doing. I think it is also less haste more speed

Sidecar Man

611 posts

67 months

Monday 12th June 2023
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Sogra said:
Thanks all. Really like the cable tie as that gives a bit of spring but all sound better than what I’ve been doing. I think it is also less haste more speed
I use a thicker stronger one doubled over to hold brake pads back when I take wheels out. smile

moanthebairns

18,123 posts

204 months

Monday 12th June 2023
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I drop the battery into the bike and hope for the best. I inevitably drop a nut moving it into place whilst getting the battery past the +/- wires/rear seat lock, hearing that ker-plunk noise that it makes as it buries its way in some undertray. I then have to get out my telescopic magnet, then get the longer telescopic magnet out, realising I still cant find the fking nut. I'm then into stripping bits or just turning the fker upside down before giving up all hope and just using a spare nut I've had from previous batteries. As I wheel it out the garage I find the original nut has scooted across the floor and has been sat on the carpet all this time. Hope this helps.

Edited by moanthebairns on Monday 12th June 09:22

SBDJ

1,324 posts

210 months

Monday 12th June 2023
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Sidecar Man said:
I use a small cable tie doubled over and pushed under the nut.
This is my usual method too; easy to get into place, flexible and non-conductive.

TimmyMallett

2,971 posts

118 months

Monday 12th June 2023
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Harder than that is getting the ttting rubber strap off on my model.