[realityguy]

Last battery bolt threads I stripped on one of these side mount Astro ones was about 20+ years ago.I swore that I would never do it again! Having to take off the negative cable a lot of times,especially with the tight space for the negative and stiff wires..Yeah..it happened again!
Anyway..It's Interstate from Costco..Does the warranty cover that?Has anybody checked on that?
Is there a tap-out,larger bolt,or some fix possible that someone has done?I don't mind cutting a tap off to make the start threads larger to begin the hole.. if that has worked for someone.
The battery is virtually unused but 1 year old with 100 miles on it while working on the van...
I'm ready to install a switch on the neg line so I don't have to undo that damn connection again.
Just looking for better options..

...$$%&*^%$^....

 

[Rod's Trucks]

There are remote control units available now. some are only a couple of hundred amps, but this one says rated at 500 amps.

Amazon.com: KTNNKG DC12V 500A High Current Master Battery Disconnect Switch Remote Control : Automotive

Buy KTNNKG DC12V 500A High Current Master Battery Disconnect Switch Remote Control: Battery Switches - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Rod J

 

[realityguy]

I think for right now.I might just disconnect the battery from now on at the ground point one short wire back,,and leave the bolt-on battery terminal alone..I hate those lead terminals! I'm not working on the engine,sensors,etc every day..or at least I don't plan on it!..but I'll look at the link. I'd like to save the like-new battery...Can one throw some solder into it and rethread it?..melt lead and refill it with a bolt in it..and heat the bolt to get it out..rethreaded?!

 

[Big_kid]

Is there enough left to shim the threads somehow? Just be careful of sparks near the battery. I had a terminal break off when I was a teenager. I was to hold it on and my buddy was to turn the key. He held the key over and when I got close to the battery it arced and exploded. My ears still ring nearly 40 years later.

 

[MechBob]

Last battery bolt threads I stripped on one of these side mount Astro ones was about 20+ years ago.I swore that I would never do it again! Having to take off the negative cable a lot of times,especially with the tight space for the negative and stiff wires..Yeah..it happened again!
Anyway..It's Interstate from Costco..Does the warranty cover that?Has anybody checked on that?
Is there a tap-out,larger bolt,or some fix possible that someone has done?I don't mind cutting a tap off to make the start threads larger to begin the hole.. if that has worked for someone.
The battery is virtually unused but 1 year old with 100 miles on it while working on the van...
I'm ready to install a switch on the neg line so I don't have to undo that damn connection again.
Just looking for better options..

...$$%&*^%$^....

A lot of times you can use a longer bolt and nut. Go to youtube for vids.

 

[MechBob]

There are remote control units available now. some are only a couple of hundred amps, but this one says rated at 500 amps.

Amazon.com: KTNNKG DC12V 500A High Current Master Battery Disconnect Switch Remote Control : Automotive

Buy KTNNKG DC12V 500A High Current Master Battery Disconnect Switch Remote Control: Battery Switches - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Rod J

They still have a draw. I use manual ones, just unscrew the knob.

 

[bryancraftyhands]

What are you up for? One can always melt lead with a solder torch and pour into the hole then re-tap.
A cut off switch is an excellent option over messing with threads.

 

[tungtide]

You might be able to re-tap to larger thread. Long ago I installed this battery switch. I like the ability to disconnect the negative terminal. Some day I swear
I’m going to change over to top posts. That solenoid unit Rod posted looks pretty cool.

 

[Mmusicman]

I would simply re-thread it one size to a larger bolt.

 

[ehbrown1]

What I have done in a pinch is take a 12ga stranded wire and strip the insulation off. Bend the wires into a U fashion and put in the stripped out hole. Then slowly tighten the bolt. It works in a pinch.

Better fix is to drill the hole out to 5/8", insert a brass nut with the same thread size (3/8 x 16) and solder it in place. Problem solved and won't strip out again.

 

[realityguy]

Rod..for me..the link didn't work.I have a similar problem with others on here..using Win 10 and a POS computer.Oh well..

Actually..this appears to be a very common problem and complaint on youtube about the side terminal batteries($#%%^%$),but most seem to be stripped out bolt threads or too many people using pliers on the tiny heads because they don't have the 5/16" wrench.

A couple people suggested using a 3/8"x1" bolt with a nut on it..Strip off the plastic ring that holds the old bolt onto the cable';s terminal..remove the old bolt.Screw the new nut all the way down onto the new bolt.Then add the ring terminal over the bolt/nut and screw that..with longer threads than the original..all the way in until it bottoms out in the battery terminal hole and tighten that carefully ,Then tighten the nut back down over the terminal ring until it is snug-tight and makes good terminal/battery contact.
Easy-Peasy..and done!The hard part was hunting through maybe 500+ bolts in bins for the right 3/8 coarse and 1" length.I found only one..in stainless steel with the matching nut on it.

My negative cable has a bolt affair for a couple other cables about 10-12" away from the battery,more out in the open area.Before I had to loosen the battery and pull it out more in the open to get to the negative terminal(maybe everybody?)I'll be disconnecting it at that more open bolt or stud from now on and leave the other battery and post lockdowns alone.Perhaps I'll have that cable with its own added nut over the others staying bolted tight..for now.Someday..I''ll get the solar system onboard battery system..and add a110 inverter and car battery charge loop,cut-off switch,etc..etc.. I'm waiting for better weather for a lot of the outdoor work to happen.

Thanks for replies..it'll probably help someone with the same problem.It's frustrating when that happens..and that they don't pour the battery terminal pieces with better quality inserts for say at least Interstate or other better quality batteries!

I wondered about the strength of solder and was thinking about trying that if needed to reform the threads in the battery,say around a bolt of the correct threads again,appears that might work on youtube.The shortness of the original bolt threads only uses maybe 1/2 or less of what is in there..and longer threaded bolts the same with the smaller 5/16" head appear to be available.
I did need to hunt up a skinny 1/2x 9/16" wrench to tighten down the nut..It is the negative terminal so any extra length probably wouldn't have been a shorting out problem anyway..My battery is bolted down with the original method so it can't move anyway..