Lock washers on battery terminals???

sowilliams · 10-07-2013, 03:00 PM

Since lose connections seem to be a big problem is there any reason not to use lock washers on your battery terminals?

gwh1bass · 10-07-2013, 03:04 PM

Good question, I just noticed some of my battery connections had loosened up the other day.

yurtle · 10-07-2013, 04:19 PM

This was discussed a few months ago. If I recall, there was no consensus, but one issue that was brought up is whether the inch-pounds of torque would be adequate to fully compress the lock washer.

You can use the Search function and probably find the discussion.

gornoman · 10-07-2013, 05:16 PM

If you tighten them correctly and check them monthly they should stay put. Unless of course your cart is beat to crap on a daily basis, then I would check them daily, but I still wouldn't use a lockwasher of any kind. It's just another invitation to corrosion.

sowilliams · 10-07-2013, 05:28 PM

I agree. Just did the connections and I don't think 10 lbs of torque would be near enough to flatten the lock washers.

yurtle · 10-07-2013, 05:36 PM

Another concern I'd have is if the lock washer didn't fully flatten out, you will have effectively reduced the surface area of the connection, It might also dig into the soft lead, leading to a non flat surface, and when you take them apart and reassemble the split part of the lock washer could dig into a different part of the post each time, making the top of the post not flat.

Thatsme? · 10-07-2013, 09:12 PM

I didn't use lock washers but I did use star washers that are made for electrical connections. I think the corrosion on battery posts was worse with them than without them.

gornoman · 10-07-2013, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thatsme?

I didn't use lock washers but I did use star washers that are made for electrical connections. I think the corrosion on battery posts was worse with them than without them.

My point exactly!

dewzer · 10-08-2013, 03:51 AM

I just bought a set of 6 Crown batteries and they came with lock washers. Stainless steel. The washer has a very slight rise in the split and are very thin.

yurtle · 10-08-2013, 07:40 AM

Most SS lock washers I've seen in the size needed would take too much torque to properly flatten. Given that they came with the batteries, you can probably ignore my concerns above.

Gorno's point still stands.

10-07-2013, 03:00 PM	#1
sowilliams Gone Wild Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 291	Lock washers on battery terminals??? Since lose connections seem to be a big problem is there any reason not to use lock washers on your battery terminals?

10-07-2013, 03:04 PM	#2
gwh1bass Getting Wild Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 117	Re: Lock washers on battery terminals??? Good question, I just noticed some of my battery connections had loosened up the other day.

10-07-2013, 04:19 PM	#3
yurtle Gone Mad Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Buford, GA Posts: 8,988	Re: Lock washers on battery terminals??? This was discussed a few months ago. If I recall, there was no consensus, but one issue that was brought up is whether the inch-pounds of torque would be adequate to fully compress the lock washer. You can use the Search function and probably find the discussion.

10-07-2013, 05:16 PM	#4
gornoman Stay thirsty my friends! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Suburban Chicago Posts: 24,286	Re: Lock washers on battery terminals??? If you tighten them correctly and check them monthly they should stay put. Unless of course your cart is beat to crap on a daily basis, then I would check them daily, but I still wouldn't use a lockwasher of any kind. It's just another invitation to corrosion.

10-07-2013, 05:28 PM	#5
sowilliams Gone Wild Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 291	Re: Lock washers on battery terminals??? I agree. Just did the connections and I don't think 10 lbs of torque would be near enough to flatten the lock washers.

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10-07-2013, 05:36 PM	#6
yurtle Gone Mad Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Buford, GA Posts: 8,988	Re: Lock washers on battery terminals??? Another concern I'd have is if the lock washer didn't fully flatten out, you will have effectively reduced the surface area of the connection, It might also dig into the soft lead, leading to a non flat surface, and when you take them apart and reassemble the split part of the lock washer could dig into a different part of the post each time, making the top of the post not flat.

10-07-2013, 09:12 PM	#7
Thatsme? Gone Wild Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 187	Re: Lock washers on battery terminals??? I didn't use lock washers but I did use star washers that are made for electrical connections. I think the corrosion on battery posts was worse with them than without them.
Thatsme? Gone Wild Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 187

10-08-2013, 03:51 AM	#9
dewzer Getting Wild Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: N.E. Michigan Posts: 126	Re: Lock washers on battery terminals??? I just bought a set of 6 Crown batteries and they came with lock washers. Stainless steel. The washer has a very slight rise in the split and are very thin.

10-08-2013, 07:40 AM	#10
yurtle Gone Mad Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Buford, GA Posts: 8,988	Re: Lock washers on battery terminals??? Most SS lock washers I've seen in the size needed would take too much torque to properly flatten. Given that they came with the batteries, you can probably ignore my concerns above. Gorno's point still stands.

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