Top terminal to side terminal change over problems

[84GrandMarquis]

Sounds good, I'll give some of that greese a shot first and if the wires are too corroded I'll just have to replace them too

[alchemist]

I agree. Side terminal batteries are for SH&*! Whatever Ralph Nader look alike that came up with them outta be shot. Trying to jump them at night is downright dangerous. I usually convert mine to toppost whenever I can. Have converted my 1995 Impala and the 1998 Suburban, so far. The only thing to beware of is that places like Walmart (if you get your battery from there) will not warranty a battery in a car that it was not designed for. Other places (NAPA, Carquest) have similar policies. Reminds me of Democrats trying to take money from working folks.

[1987cp]

Weird, I've never heard of that. I've hardly ever been able to get the exact battery listed for my vehicles anyway.

[GM_Guy]

All this sidepost hate irks me. I don't know what kind of cheap crap jumper cables you guys own, but its not something that has ever given me a problem.
As for night time: You still got to confirm + and - and that doesn't change wether its top or side post.

Alex.

[sly]

problem with side terminals and jumper cables... you have a washer to grab with those huge clamps... or better yet... an 8-10mm hex screw. those big ass clamps prefer top terminals for sure.

[1987cp]

As for night time: You still got to confirm + and - and that doesn't change wether its top or side post.

Alex.

+1 ... unless you always get an exact replacement battery for the exact same car, "+" and "-" are frequently reversed left-to-right as the battery is installed in the car, or viewed another way, are alternately on the fore or aft side of the battery when installed with "+" toward the fender like I normally do. I think my DieHard and my Interstate are reversed from one another.

[Piece-it pete]

'sidepost hate' LOL!

Pete

[84GrandMarquis]

problem with side terminals and jumper cables... you have a washer to grab with those huge clamps... or better yet... an 8-10mm hex screw. those big ass clamps prefer top terminals for sure.

Yea, the jumpers always seem to slide off the side terminals. I've almost been shocked by the battery when the clamp slides off!

[GM_Guy]

There are teeth on the the sides of the clamps to grab the "washer" that has a convient groove in it to get clamped to...

Alex.

[1990LTD]

Are all side post batteries hateful to read with a voltmeter? Or have all of the ones I've attempted been corroded and not looked it?

[sly]

There are teeth on the the sides of the clamps to grab the "washer" that has a convient groove in it to get clamped to...

Alex.

in theory... yes... but not all teeth are still nice and straight with tight springs that will actually stay put. again... don't need to deal with that on top-post setups... or even side POST setups. I've seen side terminals with screw down posts on them a couple of times.

ala these:

http://www.amazon.com/SIDE-TERMINAL-CHARGING-POST-POS/dp/B000BOA9R4

typical adapters for putting a top post battery into a side terminal vehicle (I have a set of these)

http://www.hardwareandtools.com/Coleman-Cable-925-Fast-Wiring-Battery-Cable-Adaptor-Kit-1916022.html?utm_source=Google%20Products&utm_medium=Product%20Search&utm_campaign=Google%20Products

[Brandon]

And I never liked side terminals but understand that you needed a battery. You could have gotten some of those top battery post ends and ran them into the battery and still be able to use your top post battery cable ends. You may need to extend the positive cable so it'll reach. Not sure. But those terminals are like a few bucks. Might be worth it.

Ps: didn't didn't see the 3rd page. Sorry guys

[84GrandMarquis]

And I never liked side terminals but understand that you needed a battery. You could have gotten some of those top battery post ends and ran them into the battery and still be able to use your top post battery cable ends. You may need to extend the positive cable so it'll reach. Not sure. But those terminals are like a few bucks. Might be worth it.

Ps: didn't didn't see the 3rd page. Sorry guys

I've never even heard of a way to use the top terminal cable ends, if I only I knew this sooner! Oh well, I learn a little bit more each day

[GM_Guy]

in theory... yes... but not all teeth are still nice and straight with tight springs that will actually stay put. again...

What exactly are you doing to your jumper cables to bend the teeth? I've got a set of jumper cables I made back in the 80's that still have springs of death and nice straight teeth...

Alex.

[1987cp]

If you're stuck replacing 1G fiddly bits, check car-part.com for a good price on a 3G in your area.