Here's a small problem I'm having.

The dealer replaced my battery. The new one has terminals (the positive and negative "posts") that are just a little too small for the clamps on the battery wires to grab on. The clamps are closed and torqued to the max, but they just barely seat securely.

My question: Is there anything that I could wrap around the terminals to "fatten" them up a little bit?

Thanks.

 

return it to the dealer andget yourself a proper one from them
they should fit snug before they are tightened

 

^^Too late. I've had this battery for a while. It's a long-standing problem. It didn't occur to me until just now that it might be the wrong battery for the car. Besides, the dealer will say, "It fits. That's good enough." I can buy a new battery myself and save myself a headache. Just don't know which one will solve the problem (without more trial and error).

 

u need a 151R battery from a Honda dealer. Who cares how long it's been since they replaced it. Tell them to put the right one in your car.

 

Copper sheets... thin washer... something of sort... cut/form to size then wrap it around the terminal before tightening the clamp. That's what I would do... short of taking the car back.

 

^^Okay, Subie, give me a clue. Where do I get copper sheets?


Thanks.

 

2 words 3 syllables... Any hardware store - Home Depot, Orchard, Ace... maybe plumbing section??? Also check out the washers... thin ones that you can roll/wrap/wedge between the post and clamp... Idea is to make sure your clamp is tight on the post for max current transfer...

 

Got it.

Don't know how I'm going to adapt a copper washer, but I'll think it through.

Copper sheets sound good.

In addition to those stores, you think Radio Shack would have something?

 

Many parts store have battery shims. I had your problem, they fixed it.

 

Here is what you are looking for
Lynx/Battery post shim (07769) | Battery Terminal End and Adapter | AutoZone.com

 

Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner! Yeah that's the ticket! Battery post shims! You don't have to rig anything up...

 

Honestly, I wouln't screw around with batteries. I've heard horror stories about random things happening. Like Fitster said. The dealer didn't put the right battery in so I would go back and complain. That's not proper business practice for any company, let alone a Honda DEALER.

In my opinion there should never be a "good enough" It's either done right or not done right.

 

Home Depot had nothing, not even a copper washer.

I tried AutoZone, but didn't see any thing like the above. I will go back with this info in hand.

Thanks.

 

Dealer should make it right but a guess is they put a gaerden tractor battery in place since the original is so odd ball..
If necessary you can buy a copper sleeve that fits over the terminal with little clearance inside and at rhe top end and cut slice thru the sleeve vertically so that when the clamps close up the split sleeve will collapse on the terminal and you'll have a tight connection.
PS you can use copper pipr or tubing as well. All these readily available at home improvement sytore loikw Lowes or Hme Depot in the hardware drawers. Metric or english will do.
We do it here all the time. once you slit the sleeve it collapses very well.
And those copper sleeves are nearly pure copper; in fact better conductor than the terminals.
Just out of curiosity what did the battery cost?

 

^^I'd love to get a copper sleeve for the battery terminals. Who has them?

Copper tubing/pipe from Lowe's, Home Depot or anywhere else is not 100% copper. Therefore, it will not serve as a good conductor. It is also hard as f. You cannot cut/shape it.


N.B. The battery will not be replaced by the dealer. It is three years old. Let's drop that idea.

 

Did you check out Iceberg2000's autozone link for battery post shims? Online might be your next bet.

 

Yeah, Subie. If I can't find it locally, I'll have to buy it online.

BTW, I did not know that lead was a good conductor.

 

... Lead battery... Lead posts... roofing section of the hardware store next?

 

Disconnect the lugs and hammer the terminal gentally with a mallet a few times.

Try the lugs if fits snug tighten. You are done.

 

It isn't, which why its so thick; its a good material in sulfuric acid and thats the important spec.