Lock washers on battery terminals???

[Bill]

I use stainless steel nylocs. Never had a problem.

[simple man]

What I use is the stainless nuts that have a 9/16" head. Since they are wider, they have more contact on the terminal than the ½" ones do. I figure it like this, you are sandwiching a ring terminal between a battery post and a nut. While most of the current will flow between the terminal and post, some will also flow through the bolt in the battery post, to the nut, and to the ring terminal. The more surface area you give give the current to flow, the cooler the connection will be! Using a lock washer will greatly reduce the amount of current that can flow from the nut to the terminal, and as was said, it leaves an opening for corrosion to start in. Just my

[eflyguy]

Originally Posted by Bill

I use stainless steel nylocs. Never had a problem.

After finding two of mine loose, I'm going this way too..
..a

[yurtle]

See if you can find "oversized" nylocks, for the reasons Simple Man mentioned. The stock nuts are larger "wrench" size than you might normally find for the stud thread size.

I just check mine when doing cleanup/inspection/filling of the batteries, which is a good habit to develop. Had a neighbor that never did that and was surprised that he melted a post. He was obviously never cleaning either, and probably not checking liquid levels.

[cheapjeep2]

I have used lock washer on my connections on both carts for years with out issue and no additional sign of corrosion.

[sportcoupe]

Originally Posted by sowilliams

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

There are several types of lock washers. You are referring to the typical split lock washer. An internal tooth, external tooth or spring lock washer may work better.

[Kudaman]

Nylocks best way to go for sure. Finish the job with spraying some battery protectant spray on them. They coat the terminals and prevent corrosion. the stuff works great.