Need a new Battery
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,132
Likes: 150
From: Michigan
Need a new Battery
Anybody have this problem - my negative battery terminal keeps coming loose. Would it be ok to put the weaker lock tight on it?
Last edited by rjo3491; Apr 14, 2015 at 08:09 PM.
Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 8
From: illinois
if you put anything on it . id put copper shield on it. lock tight isn't ment for electrical connections. the copper shield should give the bolt something to hold on to and wont short anything out.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Let me guess, aftermarket battery? Terminals are slightly offset so they don't aline to the face of the battery? If so you need a spacer so the cable is flush with the battery terminal.
Locktite should not be needed.
Locktite should not be needed.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,126
Likes: 51,457
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
I use thin star washers between the cable & posts on the batteries and loctite shouldn't be used it can cause resistance issues. Star washers look like this , any auto or hardware store has them.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 43
Likes: 2
From: New Smyrna Beach, FL
I bought a Duracell battery from Batteries Plus for my FXD...double the warranty and 25 bucks cheaper...most cost a lot to stamp a bar and shield on the side of a battery... And yes the terminals are set in slightly but the battery came with the spacers so no issues.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,118
Likes: 1,146
From: Directly above the center of the Earth
I use thin star washers between the cable & posts on the batteries and loctite shouldn't be used it can cause resistance issues. Star washers look like this , any auto or hardware store has them.
Amazon.com - Stainless Steel External Tooth Star Lock Washers 1/4 Qty 50 -
Amazon.com - Stainless Steel External Tooth Star Lock Washers 1/4 Qty 50 -
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Advanced
Joined: Feb 2015
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From: NJ
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Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,126
Likes: 51,457
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
The terminal posts on the batteries are soft lead and they will deform due to vibration over time allowing the cables to loosen. Can't say why the star washers work over the OEM setup but it's a time & miles proven fix for that little annoyance the old bikes are terrible about grounding cables probably half of the electrical issues I've dealt with over the years have been bad grounds somewhere.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 13,456
Likes: 10,452
From: Sunshine State
Dielectric spread thinly on the battery terminal to prevent corrosion, washer, and lock washer with a tad of Loctite where bolt threads the nut.
Last edited by Tampa Fatboy; Apr 17, 2015 at 06:51 PM.