Heavy gauge wire requires strong and rugged termination due to the current flow and the type of systems they’re commonly used in. However, when considering which battery terminal to use, you’ll run into a lot of options. What are the different types of battery terminals? How do you know the type you’ll need for the job?
Ultimately, just about any type can be suited for the job. The real decision to be made is more related to the design and convenience based on type of application, tools on hand, and installer preference.
Start by considering…
Barrel Style
The barrel style suitability varies by application set up. Whether you need a straight barrel, parallel barrel, or elbow terminal will depend on how your system is designed. Are there many bends that require an elbow terminal? Or is the wiring a pretty straight shot?
Ease of Use
However, when in a pinch, brass battery terminals are a great option to have on hand in the tool box. They’re extremely user-friendly if you don’t have a wide variety of tools at your disposal. For example, using a wingnut brass terminal is a cinch because all you need to do is place your lug on the stud and tighten. Or, try a solderless brass terminal, and simply push in and bolt down. If you’re looking for other bolt-down options, try a laad type. These are a user-friendly option as well.
Convenience
Have a torch on hand but no heavy crimper? Fusion is the way to go, because they only require the application of heat to connect to the wire.
Preference & Performance
Like anything else, preference plays a role. How fancy do you want to get with your install? What do you care about? For example, choosing Pure Copper RoHS terminals are a great choice for a shop looking for something lead-free without sacrificing performance. Or, is peak performance a non-negotiable? Choosing the Fusion terminals are the way to go, as they provide a consistently quality connection that is solid through and through so there’s no risk of corrosion between the cable strands.
The Different Types of Battery Terminals
Copper – Higher conductivity and commonly used in cars, motorcycles, and recreational vehicles.
Pure Copper RoHS – 100% copper with tin plating and have the highest conductivity rating. Plus, they are environmentally friendly.
Brass – Commonly used in marine applications because they are low corrosion and low resistance.
Lead – Made of a lead alloy for tensile strength and hardness, and often used in heavy trucking applications.
Lead-free (OEM style) – Made of a copper alloy with zinc plating, and have ribs for added wire gripping. These are primarily used in light and medium duty applications.
Fusion – Built in flux and solder, and are 70% stronger than the standard crimp method. Plus, with no crimping required, you can always count on a quality connection. The quality these fusion battery terminals bring to the table make them ideal for just about any application – automotive, marine, heavy equipment, or heavy truck.
Anti-rotational in-line – Made of a copper alloy as well, and are for light to medium duty usage.
…That’s a lot of options! But if you start by considering your application set up and what’s the most important to you, choosing the right type can be painless.
If you’re still wanting more insight on choosing the best one for your install, give our Technical Support Specialists a call at 1.800.654.4757.