Battery pole

[PhilR]

I have AGM batteries that have brass bolts that go thru the wire connections and screw into the battery. I need a longer bolt for one of the negative poles......is it OK to mix in stainless steel with brass?

Phil

 

[SGIDAVE]

I have AGM batteries that have brass bolts that go thru the wire connections and screw into the battery. I need a longer bolt for one of the negative poles......is it OK to mix in stainless steel with brass?

Phil

Hello Phil,

Stainless is a far poorer conductor but, nonetheless it's probably OK. Marine grade electrical fittings will routinely be stainless. The question now...are those metric threads?

An alternate solution is to use a BUSS bar. Just one (or two - at most) cable lugs/battery terminal that way. That way you can continue using the stock bolts. Something like this:

FYI this is model 1990 from Bluesea.com with 1000A capacity.

dave

 

[CAPTCRUNCH]

Wasn't there a discussion here within the last year or so about a ?thruster? terminal stud that arced/melted due to stainless steel pieces added by the owner? Is this a similar situation?

 

[SGIDAVE]

Yes there was...That was a situation where a stainless washer was placed between the cable lug and the terminal. In this situation the poorly conducting washer significantly increases resistance thus producing heat, etc. There is no problem using a SS washer UNDER the nut which is its proper position. Many of the newer Blue Sea buss bars are designed with flanged nuts which lack any type of washer.

dave

 

[PhilR]

I think I'll shop around for the correct brass bolts and washers. Thanks for the input.

Phil