Sourcing battery POSTS for LIFEPO4 build.

[bostonbuzz]

Howdy folks. Great to be here.
I'm building a 2 x 100ah 12v battery system for a boat.

I have sourced just about every component EXCEPT a nice battery post to attach to the top of my 2 battery boxes (I also still have to figure out the best waterproof box and how to keep the battery from moving around inside of it).

These are the ones WIll uses, although I don't know where he gets them and they are the only ones I can find anywhere.

Does anyone have a source for nicer batter posts? I can't even find just the plain jane metal cylinder shaped ones that are typically on a boat/car that accept this terminal, although I think the bolt-on kind would be ideal. I'm going to use a 100A load on each battery (just to start the engine for 1-3s).

Is there some small component source I don't know of? Also, I'm looking for some thick bus bars as well.

Also, to contribute something, here is a great place to get marine wire. http://www.bestboatwire.com/

 

[Schrooms]

Amazon.com: UTSAUTO Battery Terminal 3/8” Stud Remote Battery Binding Post Power Junction Post Connector Terminal Kit 2Pcs (Red & Black): Automotive

Buy UTSAUTO Battery Terminal 3/8” Stud Remote Battery Binding Post Power Junction Post Connector Terminal Kit 2Pcs (Red & Black): Terminals & Ends - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Will these do?

 

[bostonbuzz]

Those are all I can find, they seem pretty cheap. The reviews are bad as well.

 

[Deleted member 4428]

Might be better to cut the conventional battery terminal off the cable and crimp on a heavy flat lug that bolts directly to the battery. Less parts = greater reliability and lower resistance.

 

[Deleted member 4428]

Check out these

Website Not Found | RPMWare

www.rpmware.com

 

[kevfab]

I have used these and they seem to do the job:

Amazon.com: ZOOKOTO 10MM(3/8”) Stud Premium Remote Battery Power Junction Post Connector Terminal Kit For cable connection or extended jumper: Automotive

Buy ZOOKOTO 10MM(3/8”) Stud Premium Remote Battery Power Junction Post Connector Terminal Kit For cable connection or extended jumper: Terminals & Ends - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[Deleted member 4428]

Will did a load test on a battery with the terminals you linked to. They got very hot over the duration of the test.

 

[kevfab]

Good to know. What was the load you tested with those terminals when they got hot and for how long?

 

[Deleted member 4428]

It was in one of Will's videos. I can't seem to find that video.

 

[bostonbuzz]

Might be better to cut the conventional battery terminal off the cable and crimp on a heavy flat lug that bolts directly to the battery. Less parts = greater reliability and lower resistance.

That's a good idea. The battery will be in a box of some kind like a waterproof ammo box, so the wire won't be able to go straight into the box to the battery terminal. I also have a few wires hooked up to each battery terminal now so it would be a bit messy.

The site you linked doesn't seem to work, but neat looking terminals.

Keep em' coming!

 

[Deleted member 4428]

Might want to contact them directly.

 

[bostonbuzz]

Just found these on amazon for $$$. Blue Sea Connectors. Blue Sea is pretty well known in the marine world, but man $90? I might have to spring for these.

 

[Bob B]

Looks like all you need to make your own is a piece of 3/8 rod, nuts and washers, and an insulating material. Drill a hole in it and be done.

 

[Deleted member 4428]

Too bad they aren't brass or stainless.

 

[Maast]

Take a look at thise, search for "bulkhead battery terminal"

Amazon.com: Fastronix Premium High Current 3/8" Thru Panel Battery Terminal Connectors: Automotive

Buy Fastronix Premium High Current 3/8" Thru Panel Battery Terminal Connectors: Terminals & Ends - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[Steve_S]

@JeepHammer may pop in here, he has a link to some really good brass ones he posted elsewhere (I can't find it now). I believe they were for a Forklift.

Another common alternative is to use Anderson Connectors

SB Series is common used in RE:

SB Series

A landing page with product descriptions, product features. drawings, technical drawings and 3D files exclusively about SB Series

www.andersonpower.com

 

[JeepHammer]

Race car stuff, 3/8", hard brass, it's called a bulkhead connector. or 'Passthrough' in those circles.

Paris Battery Terminal Bulkhead Firewall Feed-Thru for 6, 12 , 36 Volt 3/8" Stud | eBay

Easily connect 6, 12 and 36 volt, DC power through your firewall and bulkhead. Connector can be used wherever a battery cable goes through a firewall or other similar panel.

www.ebay.com

Spend as much as you want to here, they have accessories.

https://www.vtewarehouse.com/content/electromech/Powerstuds/html/bc_core_power_bushings.php

$80 each, but if you just have to have the highest tech... Milspec & FAA approved stuff.

EVTV Motor Verks Store: Rebling High Current Bulkhead Connector RED, Battery Connections, reblingRED

store.evtv.me

Lithium battery guys might want to check this place out, it's OEM terminals/connectors and they have some cool stuff.

Lithium Battery Terminals

Rebling is a connectors manufacturer which specializes in high current (100 to 1,000 amps) Lithium Battery Terminals. Wherever you find a Lithium Battery Module larger than a loaf of bread, our Feed Through Terminals can be found.

rebling.com

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Entirely a personal choice, but I prefer cable glands with/without the housing, just depends on how 'Swoopy' I'm feeling.
Cable gland and Anderson SB350 amp connectors since every battery string I have can be disconnected from the battery bank.
One less connection, no question of Anderson can conduct 350 Amps or not, and it's stupid simple.
Keeps crap from riding the wires into the battery box, they are just this side of 'Waterproof'

The Cable Gland is the pass through for a full size cable, the housing is the 'RV/Boat' housing that makes for a swoopy finishing touch.

RV ABS Solar Double Cable Entry Gland Box Waterproof Weatherproof Fits for All Cable Types 2mm² to 6mm² for Solar Project on RV Camper Van Travel Trailer Boat Cabin - Walmart.com

Free 2-day shipping. Buy RV ABS Solar Double Cable Entry Gland Box Waterproof Weatherproof Fits for All Cable Types 2mm² to 6mm² for Solar Project on RV Camper Van Travel Trailer Boat Cabin at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

 

[BoloMKXXVIII]

For those using a non-conductive box, why not just use brass bolts?

https://www.grainger.com/category/fasteners/bolts/cap-screws-hex-bolts?attrs=Basic+Material%7CBrass&filters=attrs&ef_id=EAIaIQobChMIuerb2I2G5wIVJoNaBR0-5QnUEAAYAyAAEgKecvD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!2966!3!317451745629!b!!g!!&cm_mmc=PPC:+Google+PPC

 

[JeepHammer]

For those using a non-conductive box, why not just use brass bolts?

https://www.grainger.com/category/fasteners/bolts/cap-screws-hex-bolts?attrs=Basic+Material%7CBrass&filters=attrs&ef_id=EAIaIQobChMIuerb2I2G5wIVJoNaBR0-5QnUEAAYAyAAEgKecvD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!2966!3!317451745629!b!!g!!&cm_mmc=PPC:+Google+PPC

No reason you can't unless the bolts are smaller conductors than the cable itself.
*IF* the bolt is restriction/resistance, it's going to heat, so your box material might melt or smoke...

There is also a question of moisture ON the box between your terminal bolts,
And if you use wood, it WILL draw moisture and connect the positive/negative, even if it's with a lot of resistance.

 

[Prefersdirt]

And if you use wood, it WILL draw moisture and connect the positive/negative, even if it's with a lot of resistanc

bringing this thread up as I have been looking for these things. Was thinking of the brass bolts until I saw your comment. Mine won’t be outside, but better safe than sorry. Great point.