When you lift up the engine hood on your car, you might be in for a surprise. Today’s car batteries are normally identical; a black housing with top posts for power connections are commonplace. However, you may encounter a side-post battery in your car. Explore the steps in converting a side-post battery into a top-post design. Your car battery maintenance will be easier as a result of your efforts.
1. Find a Safe Location
It’s not necessary to remove the battery from the car, but accessing these types of terminals can be difficult otherwise. Consider battery removal as your first step.
The battery must be located in a well-ventilated area without any nearby sparks, such as from a cigarette. You’ll be handling both the positive and negative terminal ends, which can produce sparks. Your working area should be free from hazardous materials.
2. Gather Your Tools
If you’ve replaced other types of battery products in the past, you probably have some of the necessary tools for these car battery terminal types.
Collect these tools together, including:
- Gloves
- Safety glasses
- Pliers
- Wrenches
Also look for post converters that will make the conversion an easy task. Clamp-on ends for the positive and negative wires are also helpful. Their installation will streamline the process.
3. Start With Cable Removal
Locate the black or negative F1 terminal. Carefully remove it from the battery. Lay the wire away from the positive side of the battery. The positive side is almost always indicated by a red color, reports the Auto Parts Warehouse.
If any metal connections between the positive and negative sides touch, a spark or shock might occur. Be mindful of the loose wires at all times.
4. Alter the Cable Ends
Remove the red or positive cable. Each battery terminal is now disconnected.
Look at the loose cable ends. Cut off each end of the cable. Strip away a half-inch of insulation from the cables to reveal the wires within.
Attach the clamp-on ends to each cable. These ends are simple to install and fit onto nearly any of today’s car battery terminal types.
5. Replace the Battery’s Terminals
Remove the side-post terminals. Replace each battery terminal with a post converter.
These parts give you a safe and effective way to convert a side design to a top-post configuration. The converters should stretch between the sides and end up along the topside of the battery. Each terminal must be made of lead for the best conductivity.
6. Reattach the Positive Side
Complete the project by reattaching the red or positive side cable to the post converter. These battery terminal types should be compatible with the clamp-on ends.
Be sure to check the connection before moving onto the next cable. The positive side should be firmly set onto the post with a firm grasp. If it’s sliding a bit with some finger pressure, the connection is too loose.
7. Connect the Negative Side
Repeat the same cable-connection process with the negative side. Be mindful of the space between your hand, the cable and completed positive side. Electrical arcing is possible if these items are simply close to each other.
Maintain as much space as possible between the positive and negative sides as you affix the cable into place. Safety is always a top priority.
8. Apply a Corrosion-Resistant Spra
The Auto Zone suggests that corrosion-resistant spray should be one of your final steps. Apply it to all battery terminal types because corrosion doesn’t discriminate among styles.
You can spray it after installing the cables or before. Most people top the finalized connections with the spray so that the terminal and cable are free from any residue as a whole.
Your conversion project may require a handful of auto parts, but the result will be a battery with enhanced maintenance possibilities. Challenge yourself with a conversion project that makes you the master of your vehicle today.