Battery Leads Coming Loose

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by bbuncher12

To connect our batteries to the battery leads, we use a small bolt and locknut and torque them down to make sure that the battery leads do not come lose, then we cover the lead and connection to the battery in heat shrink tubing. However, we have been having issues with the leads becoming loose and flopping around because the bolts are not holding well. What methods do you use to keep the battery leads attached to the battery, and do you try to avoid this problem? Thanks!

There is a very simple technique to prevent this. Simply add an external tooth lockwasher between the battery terminal and the wire terminal. Not only do the teeth on the lockwasher bite through the surface crud, the lock washer will prevent any twisting between the two terminals which ultimately cause the hardware to loosen. Once tight, follow with heatshrink as you have been doing.