battery strap connection - options?
 

when our son got home with the GC,
we went looking around for any cause for our recent problems
with the tailgate - like a simple fuse -

In doing so - we stumbled across another challenge - NO power -

Awhile ago, we had lost electric power while driving,
as the dashboard was flickering and the volts was like ZERO.
So - we drove directly to the local dealer thinking the worst.

As it turned out, the negative battery connector was cracked.
They snipped off the molded connector, stripped the 2 large wires,
and replaced it with a screw down saddle connector,
(the wires go in and there is a strap across them that screws down on each side)

Well - today - the wires were a little loose,
hence the loss of total DC electrical power while we were poking around.

Not sure of the remedy on this....
There is 1/2" of copper (now tarnished)
inside the strap connector,
and another 1/2" of insulation until the large wrapped "bundle".

SO - any suggestions on how to clean up the existing 1/2" copper
and use the same type or different connector to get a really solid grip ?

Re: battery strap connection - options?
 

I'm not sure what you mean by tarnished. if it is simply discolored, then
there should be no problem. if there is a white build up of corrosion, then
there is a problem. and is a symptom of a leaking battery. There are many
chemical cleaners available from local auto parts stores for cleaning battery
connectors, and even protective coating sprays available. Baking soda and
water as well as coca cola work too, although they take a little longer to
work. Usually a day. Baking soda neutralizes the acid. A wire brush will
be required. If it is the white fluffy corrision, then you need to think
about replacing your battery, because it is leaking. It sounds as if maybe
the wires settled a little bit, and needs to be retightened. If you are in
need of connecting two "cables" together, then try the local hardware stores
electrical section. Sure you can find something, just be sure to insulate it
very well. You'll have to be a little creative,because I'm not aware of
anything specifically designed for that. you might create some sort of
terminal block, and add to it. I've know of people to use a electrical box,
use the knockout holes to run wire through, and use a bolt inside it to
connect all the cables together. Might just be easier to replace the whole
cable?

P.Schuman wrote:
>when our son got home with the GC,
>we went looking around for any cause for our recent problems
>with the tailgate - like a simple fuse -
>
>In doing so - we stumbled across another challenge - NO power -
>
>Awhile ago, we had lost electric power while driving,
>as the dashboard was flickering and the volts was like ZERO.
>So - we drove directly to the local dealer thinking the worst.
>
>As it turned out, the negative battery connector was cracked.
>They snipped off the molded connector, stripped the 2 large wires,
>and replaced it with a screw down saddle connector,
>(the wires go in and there is a strap across them that screws down on each side)
>
>Well - today - the wires were a little loose,
>hence the loss of total DC electrical power while we were poking around.
>
>Not sure of the remedy on this....
>There is 1/2" of copper (now tarnished)
>inside the strap connector,
>and another 1/2" of insulation until the large wrapped "bundle".
>
>SO - any suggestions on how to clean up the existing 1/2" copper
>and use the same type or different connector to get a really solid grip ?

--
Message posted via CarKB.com
http://www.carkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/jeep-cars/200710/1

Re: battery strap connection - options?
 

I'm not sure what you mean by tarnished. if it is simply discolored, then
there should be no problem. if there is a white build up of corrosion, then
there is a problem. and is a symptom of a leaking battery. There are many
chemical cleaners available from local auto parts stores for cleaning battery
connectors, and even protective coating sprays available. Baking soda and
water as well as coca cola work too, although they take a little longer to
work. Usually a day. Baking soda neutralizes the acid. A wire brush will
be required. If it is the white fluffy corrision, then you need to think
about replacing your battery, because it is leaking. It sounds as if maybe
the wires settled a little bit, and needs to be retightened. If you are in
need of connecting two "cables" together, then try the local hardware stores
electrical section. Sure you can find something, just be sure to insulate it
very well. You'll have to be a little creative,because I'm not aware of
anything specifically designed for that. you might create some sort of
terminal block, and add to it. I've know of people to use a electrical box,
use the knockout holes to run wire through, and use a bolt inside it to
connect all the cables together. Might just be easier to replace the whole
cable?

P.Schuman wrote:
>when our son got home with the GC,
>we went looking around for any cause for our recent problems
>with the tailgate - like a simple fuse -
>
>In doing so - we stumbled across another challenge - NO power -
>
>Awhile ago, we had lost electric power while driving,
>as the dashboard was flickering and the volts was like ZERO.
>So - we drove directly to the local dealer thinking the worst.
>
>As it turned out, the negative battery connector was cracked.
>They snipped off the molded connector, stripped the 2 large wires,
>and replaced it with a screw down saddle connector,
>(the wires go in and there is a strap across them that screws down on each side)
>
>Well - today - the wires were a little loose,
>hence the loss of total DC electrical power while we were poking around.
>
>Not sure of the remedy on this....
>There is 1/2" of copper (now tarnished)
>inside the strap connector,
>and another 1/2" of insulation until the large wrapped "bundle".
>
>SO - any suggestions on how to clean up the existing 1/2" copper
>and use the same type or different connector to get a really solid grip ?

--
Message posted via CarKB.com
http://www.carkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/jeep-cars/200710/1

Re: battery strap connection - options?
 

I'm not sure what you mean by tarnished. if it is simply discolored, then
there should be no problem. if there is a white build up of corrosion, then
there is a problem. and is a symptom of a leaking battery. There are many
chemical cleaners available from local auto parts stores for cleaning battery
connectors, and even protective coating sprays available. Baking soda and
water as well as coca cola work too, although they take a little longer to
work. Usually a day. Baking soda neutralizes the acid. A wire brush will
be required. If it is the white fluffy corrision, then you need to think
about replacing your battery, because it is leaking. It sounds as if maybe
the wires settled a little bit, and needs to be retightened. If you are in
need of connecting two "cables" together, then try the local hardware stores
electrical section. Sure you can find something, just be sure to insulate it
very well. You'll have to be a little creative,because I'm not aware of
anything specifically designed for that. you might create some sort of
terminal block, and add to it. I've know of people to use a electrical box,
use the knockout holes to run wire through, and use a bolt inside it to
connect all the cables together. Might just be easier to replace the whole
cable?

P.Schuman wrote:
>when our son got home with the GC,
>we went looking around for any cause for our recent problems
>with the tailgate - like a simple fuse -
>
>In doing so - we stumbled across another challenge - NO power -
>
>Awhile ago, we had lost electric power while driving,
>as the dashboard was flickering and the volts was like ZERO.
>So - we drove directly to the local dealer thinking the worst.
>
>As it turned out, the negative battery connector was cracked.
>They snipped off the molded connector, stripped the 2 large wires,
>and replaced it with a screw down saddle connector,
>(the wires go in and there is a strap across them that screws down on each side)
>
>Well - today - the wires were a little loose,
>hence the loss of total DC electrical power while we were poking around.
>
>Not sure of the remedy on this....
>There is 1/2" of copper (now tarnished)
>inside the strap connector,
>and another 1/2" of insulation until the large wrapped "bundle".
>
>SO - any suggestions on how to clean up the existing 1/2" copper
>and use the same type or different connector to get a really solid grip ?

--
Message posted via CarKB.com
http://www.carkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/jeep-cars/200710/1

Re: battery strap connection - options?
 

I'm not sure what you mean by tarnished. if it is simply discolored, then
there should be no problem. if there is a white build up of corrosion, then
there is a problem. and is a symptom of a leaking battery. There are many
chemical cleaners available from local auto parts stores for cleaning battery
connectors, and even protective coating sprays available. Baking soda and
water as well as coca cola work too, although they take a little longer to
work. Usually a day. Baking soda neutralizes the acid. A wire brush will
be required. If it is the white fluffy corrision, then you need to think
about replacing your battery, because it is leaking. It sounds as if maybe
the wires settled a little bit, and needs to be retightened. If you are in
need of connecting two "cables" together, then try the local hardware stores
electrical section. Sure you can find something, just be sure to insulate it
very well. You'll have to be a little creative,because I'm not aware of
anything specifically designed for that. you might create some sort of
terminal block, and add to it. I've know of people to use a electrical box,
use the knockout holes to run wire through, and use a bolt inside it to
connect all the cables together. Might just be easier to replace the whole
cable?

P.Schuman wrote:
>when our son got home with the GC,
>we went looking around for any cause for our recent problems
>with the tailgate - like a simple fuse -
>
>In doing so - we stumbled across another challenge - NO power -
>
>Awhile ago, we had lost electric power while driving,
>as the dashboard was flickering and the volts was like ZERO.
>So - we drove directly to the local dealer thinking the worst.
>
>As it turned out, the negative battery connector was cracked.
>They snipped off the molded connector, stripped the 2 large wires,
>and replaced it with a screw down saddle connector,
>(the wires go in and there is a strap across them that screws down on each side)
>
>Well - today - the wires were a little loose,
>hence the loss of total DC electrical power while we were poking around.
>
>Not sure of the remedy on this....
>There is 1/2" of copper (now tarnished)
>inside the strap connector,
>and another 1/2" of insulation until the large wrapped "bundle".
>
>SO - any suggestions on how to clean up the existing 1/2" copper
>and use the same type or different connector to get a really solid grip ?

--
Message posted via CarKB.com
http://www.carkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/jeep-cars/200710/1

Re: battery strap connection - options?
 

Agreed, replace the whole cable. They are cheaper than a tow truck service
call.

Cheers,

Earle

"RiverRunner66 via CarKB.com" <u36930@uwe> wrote in message
news:794d80e4e2080@uwe...
> I'm not sure what you mean by tarnished. if it is simply discolored, then
> there should be no problem. if there is a white build up of corrosion,
then
> there is a problem. and is a symptom of a leaking battery. There are
many
> chemical cleaners available from local auto parts stores for cleaning
battery
> connectors, and even protective coating sprays available. Baking soda and
> water as well as coca cola work too, although they take a little longer to
> work. Usually a day. Baking soda neutralizes the acid. A wire brush
will
> be required. If it is the white fluffy corrision, then you need to think
> about replacing your battery, because it is leaking. It sounds as if
maybe
> the wires settled a little bit, and needs to be retightened. If you are
in
> need of connecting two "cables" together, then try the local hardware
stores
> electrical section. Sure you can find something, just be sure to insulate
it
> very well. You'll have to be a little creative,because I'm not aware of
> anything specifically designed for that. you might create some sort of
> terminal block, and add to it. I've know of people to use a electrical
box,
> use the knockout holes to run wire through, and use a bolt inside it to
> connect all the cables together. Might just be easier to replace the
whole
> cable?
>
> P.Schuman wrote:
> >when our son got home with the GC,
> >we went looking around for any cause for our recent problems
> >with the tailgate - like a simple fuse -
> >
> >In doing so - we stumbled across another challenge - NO power -
> >
> >Awhile ago, we had lost electric power while driving,
> >as the dashboard was flickering and the volts was like ZERO.
> >So - we drove directly to the local dealer thinking the worst.
> >
> >As it turned out, the negative battery connector was cracked.
> >They snipped off the molded connector, stripped the 2 large wires,
> >and replaced it with a screw down saddle connector,
> >(the wires go in and there is a strap across them that screws down on
each side)
> >
> >Well - today - the wires were a little loose,
> >hence the loss of total DC electrical power while we were poking around.
> >
> >Not sure of the remedy on this....
> >There is 1/2" of copper (now tarnished)
> >inside the strap connector,
> >and another 1/2" of insulation until the large wrapped "bundle".
> >
> >SO - any suggestions on how to clean up the existing 1/2" copper
> >and use the same type or different connector to get a really solid grip ?
>
> --
> Message posted via CarKB.com
> http://www.carkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/jeep-cars/200710/1
>

Re: battery strap connection - options?
 

Agreed, replace the whole cable. They are cheaper than a tow truck service
call.

Cheers,

Earle

"RiverRunner66 via CarKB.com" <u36930@uwe> wrote in message
news:794d80e4e2080@uwe...
> I'm not sure what you mean by tarnished. if it is simply discolored, then
> there should be no problem. if there is a white build up of corrosion,
then
> there is a problem. and is a symptom of a leaking battery. There are
many
> chemical cleaners available from local auto parts stores for cleaning
battery
> connectors, and even protective coating sprays available. Baking soda and
> water as well as coca cola work too, although they take a little longer to
> work. Usually a day. Baking soda neutralizes the acid. A wire brush
will
> be required. If it is the white fluffy corrision, then you need to think
> about replacing your battery, because it is leaking. It sounds as if
maybe
> the wires settled a little bit, and needs to be retightened. If you are
in
> need of connecting two "cables" together, then try the local hardware
stores
> electrical section. Sure you can find something, just be sure to insulate
it
> very well. You'll have to be a little creative,because I'm not aware of
> anything specifically designed for that. you might create some sort of
> terminal block, and add to it. I've know of people to use a electrical
box,
> use the knockout holes to run wire through, and use a bolt inside it to
> connect all the cables together. Might just be easier to replace the
whole
> cable?
>
> P.Schuman wrote:
> >when our son got home with the GC,
> >we went looking around for any cause for our recent problems
> >with the tailgate - like a simple fuse -
> >
> >In doing so - we stumbled across another challenge - NO power -
> >
> >Awhile ago, we had lost electric power while driving,
> >as the dashboard was flickering and the volts was like ZERO.
> >So - we drove directly to the local dealer thinking the worst.
> >
> >As it turned out, the negative battery connector was cracked.
> >They snipped off the molded connector, stripped the 2 large wires,
> >and replaced it with a screw down saddle connector,
> >(the wires go in and there is a strap across them that screws down on
each side)
> >
> >Well - today - the wires were a little loose,
> >hence the loss of total DC electrical power while we were poking around.
> >
> >Not sure of the remedy on this....
> >There is 1/2" of copper (now tarnished)
> >inside the strap connector,
> >and another 1/2" of insulation until the large wrapped "bundle".
> >
> >SO - any suggestions on how to clean up the existing 1/2" copper
> >and use the same type or different connector to get a really solid grip ?
>
> --
> Message posted via CarKB.com
> http://www.carkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/jeep-cars/200710/1
>

Re: battery strap connection - options?
 

Agreed, replace the whole cable. They are cheaper than a tow truck service
call.

Cheers,

Earle

"RiverRunner66 via CarKB.com" <u36930@uwe> wrote in message
news:794d80e4e2080@uwe...
> I'm not sure what you mean by tarnished. if it is simply discolored, then
> there should be no problem. if there is a white build up of corrosion,
then
> there is a problem. and is a symptom of a leaking battery. There are
many
> chemical cleaners available from local auto parts stores for cleaning
battery
> connectors, and even protective coating sprays available. Baking soda and
> water as well as coca cola work too, although they take a little longer to
> work. Usually a day. Baking soda neutralizes the acid. A wire brush
will
> be required. If it is the white fluffy corrision, then you need to think
> about replacing your battery, because it is leaking. It sounds as if
maybe
> the wires settled a little bit, and needs to be retightened. If you are
in
> need of connecting two "cables" together, then try the local hardware
stores
> electrical section. Sure you can find something, just be sure to insulate
it
> very well. You'll have to be a little creative,because I'm not aware of
> anything specifically designed for that. you might create some sort of
> terminal block, and add to it. I've know of people to use a electrical
box,
> use the knockout holes to run wire through, and use a bolt inside it to
> connect all the cables together. Might just be easier to replace the
whole
> cable?
>
> P.Schuman wrote:
> >when our son got home with the GC,
> >we went looking around for any cause for our recent problems
> >with the tailgate - like a simple fuse -
> >
> >In doing so - we stumbled across another challenge - NO power -
> >
> >Awhile ago, we had lost electric power while driving,
> >as the dashboard was flickering and the volts was like ZERO.
> >So - we drove directly to the local dealer thinking the worst.
> >
> >As it turned out, the negative battery connector was cracked.
> >They snipped off the molded connector, stripped the 2 large wires,
> >and replaced it with a screw down saddle connector,
> >(the wires go in and there is a strap across them that screws down on
each side)
> >
> >Well - today - the wires were a little loose,
> >hence the loss of total DC electrical power while we were poking around.
> >
> >Not sure of the remedy on this....
> >There is 1/2" of copper (now tarnished)
> >inside the strap connector,
> >and another 1/2" of insulation until the large wrapped "bundle".
> >
> >SO - any suggestions on how to clean up the existing 1/2" copper
> >and use the same type or different connector to get a really solid grip ?
>
> --
> Message posted via CarKB.com
> http://www.carkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/jeep-cars/200710/1
>

Re: battery strap connection - options?
 

Agreed, replace the whole cable. They are cheaper than a tow truck service
call.

Cheers,

Earle

"RiverRunner66 via CarKB.com" <u36930@uwe> wrote in message
news:794d80e4e2080@uwe...
> I'm not sure what you mean by tarnished. if it is simply discolored, then
> there should be no problem. if there is a white build up of corrosion,
then
> there is a problem. and is a symptom of a leaking battery. There are
many
> chemical cleaners available from local auto parts stores for cleaning
battery
> connectors, and even protective coating sprays available. Baking soda and
> water as well as coca cola work too, although they take a little longer to
> work. Usually a day. Baking soda neutralizes the acid. A wire brush
will
> be required. If it is the white fluffy corrision, then you need to think
> about replacing your battery, because it is leaking. It sounds as if
maybe
> the wires settled a little bit, and needs to be retightened. If you are
in
> need of connecting two "cables" together, then try the local hardware
stores
> electrical section. Sure you can find something, just be sure to insulate
it
> very well. You'll have to be a little creative,because I'm not aware of
> anything specifically designed for that. you might create some sort of
> terminal block, and add to it. I've know of people to use a electrical
box,
> use the knockout holes to run wire through, and use a bolt inside it to
> connect all the cables together. Might just be easier to replace the
whole
> cable?
>
> P.Schuman wrote:
> >when our son got home with the GC,
> >we went looking around for any cause for our recent problems
> >with the tailgate - like a simple fuse -
> >
> >In doing so - we stumbled across another challenge - NO power -
> >
> >Awhile ago, we had lost electric power while driving,
> >as the dashboard was flickering and the volts was like ZERO.
> >So - we drove directly to the local dealer thinking the worst.
> >
> >As it turned out, the negative battery connector was cracked.
> >They snipped off the molded connector, stripped the 2 large wires,
> >and replaced it with a screw down saddle connector,
> >(the wires go in and there is a strap across them that screws down on
each side)
> >
> >Well - today - the wires were a little loose,
> >hence the loss of total DC electrical power while we were poking around.
> >
> >Not sure of the remedy on this....
> >There is 1/2" of copper (now tarnished)
> >inside the strap connector,
> >and another 1/2" of insulation until the large wrapped "bundle".
> >
> >SO - any suggestions on how to clean up the existing 1/2" copper
> >and use the same type or different connector to get a really solid grip ?
>
> --
> Message posted via CarKB.com
> http://www.carkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/jeep-cars/200710/1
>

Re: battery strap connection - options?
 

the copper is just the usual discoloration - no white powder.

For our 2001 GC,
it appears there are 2 black (negative) cables in the bundle,
with one maybe just going down to the frame,
but not sure where the other goes.
I did tighten both lockdown screws on the clamp, and all is well - for now -
and I may go look for another clamp/strap connector to try again.