Electrical Starts Here

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Paul Hatfield
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Electrical Starts Here

#1 Post by Paul Hatfield »

Probably not passing along new information to some, but I just did this and found it to be amazing. I wanted to clean the badly corroded and blackened wire bundle at the positive battery clamp. I renewed the clamp rather than replacing it with a new one I had on the shelf. (Anyone ever notice the new ones are making a 90 degree turn in the wrong direction?). Anyway, it then came to the task of cleaning the bundle of dirty/corroded copper wires. I little Google search and I knew I just had to try what was mentioned.

Take vinegar and your least favorite coffee mug out to the car. To the cup add vinegar and 1 tablespoon of salt. Hold the cable in the solution for about 2 minutes. I also used an old tooth brush to help things along. After 2 minutes it was as shinny as a new penny! Once removed from the solution, toss the vinegar mix out, wipe out the cup, and then add water and one tablespoon of baking soda. This mixture will cancel the acidic remains of the first solution in the wire braid. Let the cable sit in that for about 2 minutes. Your done!

Before I started, my cable looked like it had never been cleaned. Filthy.

Result is in the photo.
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Last edited by Paul Hatfield on Mon Jul 09, 2018 10:59 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Electrical Starts Here

#2 Post by Paul Hatfield »

Since my previous post might not have made sense on the reproduction positive battery clamp, here is a photo to better describe it. The one with the wires connected is original. Note the green tint on the clamp is just a reflection from the hood of the car- which is Irish Green. You could turn the new one upside down to get the post on the right side, but then the slotted bolts would also face down instead of up.
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Vic Skirmants
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Re: Electrical Starts Here

#3 Post by Vic Skirmants »

Not to mention that the battery posts and clamps are tapered; turning it over is not a good idea.

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Re: Electrical Starts Here

#4 Post by Paul Hatfield »

Yesterday I did the ground strap. It was also just plain filthy. It is the original one, not reproduction.
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Martin Bruechle
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Re: Electrical Starts Here

#5 Post by Martin Bruechle »

Dielectric grease helps too. Keeps out corrosion.

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C J Murray
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Re: Electrical Starts Here

#6 Post by C J Murray »

Hi Paul, I only have one coffee cup and one tooth brush so I used them. Now my teeth shine like a new penny!

Seriously; good advice, thanks.
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Re: Electrical Starts Here

#7 Post by C J Murray »

Maybe the reproduction battery clamps are for RHD cars?
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Paul Hatfield
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Re: Electrical Starts Here

#8 Post by Paul Hatfield »

Glad to have helped Cliff!
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Doug McDonnell
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Re: Electrical Starts Here

#9 Post by Doug McDonnell »

CJ Does this mean that you are "well grounded?"
1965 356C 2000 BMW 740i Sport 1967 Honda CL77 There is never enough time to do it right, but always enough time to do it over.

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Re: Electrical Starts Here

#10 Post by Ron LaDow »

C J Murray wrote:Seriously; good advice, thanks.
Piling on, but this makes what was a miserable, messy hour with a scratch-brush (and little .015" holes in your fingers) into something civilized people will do.
Nice job, Paul.
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Re: Electrical Starts Here

#11 Post by Brad Ripley »

Paul, Great tips for battery terminal/cable clean up.

As for positive battery terminals, see here https://www.stoddard.com/catalogsearch/ ... ?q=611-311 for currently available versions. The terminal Paul refers to is a DIN72 331, Form D links which is discontinued. These types of terminals are mostly only available in Europe. You may find some domestic ones at NAPA, etc.; after all, the top of the battery is covered and the terminals can't be seen.

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Re: Electrical Starts Here

#12 Post by C J Murray »

Doug McDonnell wrote:CJ Does this mean that you are "well grounded?"
My doctor says that I will be after another 240 sessions.
Paul Hatfield wrote:Glad to have helped Cliff!
LOL, funny picture!
Brad Ripley wrote:after all, the top of the battery is covered and the terminals can't be seen.
Oh Brad!
'57 Speedster
'59 Sunroof
'60 Devin D Porsche Race Car
'63 Cabriolet "Norm"
'67 911 S Original Owner
'03 Ferrari 575M
'09 Smart Passion

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