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RichLech

Member Since: 09 Nov 2015
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 115

2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Keswick Green

Battery terminal clamp - how does it work

Click image to enlarge

The picture shows the negative battery terminal on my 2012 Defender. I can't make out how the clamp is tightened onto the terminal. The nut on top of the the clamp is as tight as it wants to go but the clamp can still be turned by hand on the terminal. I wouldn't say it is loose but it does move. I thought it should be tighter than that.

Any thoughts? Am I missing something obvious? Is it the nut on top that provides the clamping action, and if so, how?

11th Dec 2020 3:37pm

Bluest

Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 4209

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black

The nut should tighten the clamp. It has probably been overtightened and crushed the battery terminal so it no longer grips. You could try packing it out by wrapping some strips of flat copper around the terminal.

Or, you could replace it for a conventional clamp with a pinch bolt which should go tighter.

Or you could buy a new battery

2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS

11th Dec 2020 4:14pm

Dinnu

Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3414

2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black

Battery post is tapered, so try pushing the terminal down as much as possible before tightening the nut. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black

11th Dec 2020 4:27pm

LandRoverAnorak

Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11324

I added a small sliver of copper sheet to mine - works a treat:

Click image to enlarge

More details here:

https://www.defender2.net/forum/post716692.html#716692 Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia

11th Dec 2020 5:17pm

blackwolf

Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17382

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey

There is a split conical section on the terminal below the nut, and an inverted conical sleeve immediately under the nut. Tightening the nut pushes the conical sleeve down the split taper in theory pulling the terminal tight on the battery post.

Unfortunately they are over-engineered, ineffective, and complex, and as you have found really don't work well at all. My personal preference is to replace them with the type below, but I have the advantage of owning professional crimping tools for almost ever size.

11th Dec 2020 5:41pm

RichLech

Member Since: 09 Nov 2015
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 115

Many thanks. I've ordered some copper sheet in case I cannot tighten it without.

11th Dec 2020 10:08pm

jst

Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 8029

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey

you can be really low tech and put a wood screw between terminal and clamp if in 'need to get home scenerio' Cheers

James
110 2012 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop

13th Dec 2020 10:57am

topless_matt

Member Since: 29 Mar 2015
Location: norfolk
Posts: 68

2007 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Tonga Green

Have used a strip of a coke can in an emergency Hold my beer and watch this!

19th Dec 2020 7:47pm

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