njsconst Posted June 7, 2007 Share Posted June 7, 2007 (edited) This might seem like a very silly question to some.....but I need to know . Why is it NOT recommended to use wingnuts on your boat battery???? I have done so up until recently and had no problems. I used them simply because it makes it easier to disconnect the battery when I want to charge it. I have since learnt that this practice is not recommended. Can anyone enlighten me? P.S Can you keep this quiet. I don't want my wife to find out about this question>>>>> Because she thinks I know everything!! Nathan. Edited June 7, 2007 by njsconst Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiger_shark Posted June 7, 2007 Share Posted June 7, 2007 (edited) Wing nuts are notorious for coming loose and can cause the terminals to heat up... Better off going with the nylock nuts... Edited June 7, 2007 by tiger_shark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
labrador Posted June 7, 2007 Share Posted June 7, 2007 Yeah, that would be nice to know. I also read it somewhere but it doesn't mention the reason why. Since I bought my boat there's wingnut on the negative terminal and a proper nut on the other, I never change it and never have problem with it. Hope some Raider can enlighten us on this. Cheerio, Scout Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Iceman Posted June 7, 2007 Share Posted June 7, 2007 Ive always used wingnuts on my deepcycle battery for my leccie and never had a problem If you are worried about them coming loose put a spring washer under the wingnut Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riders Posted June 7, 2007 Share Posted June 7, 2007 You've hit it on the head Iceman Put spring washers under the wingnuts and there is no issue. Unless you are limp wristed !! cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a boat Posted June 7, 2007 Share Posted June 7, 2007 Good Moring Guys, unfortunately we see this all the time form so called professionals who fit a new engine to a second hand boat or even on new packages. You should never use wingnuts even with spring washers becasue they get done up by hand and will work loose. We only fit nylock nuts that need to be done up with a spanner and do not come loose. The reasons for nylock nuts is that if the battery leads come loose the retifier can fail due to the current not having anywhere to go because the lead is not making good contact with the terminal-this can be expensive. Also having a loose battery terminal can cause problems with the cranking and therefore starting of the outboard becasue good voltage is not getting to the starter motor. What we do on any service is check the battery for wingnuts and replace them with nylock nuts, so my advise to any Fishradier is check if you have wingnuts and get rid of them. For about $10 you can buy the correct battery terminals and nylock nuts, then remove the old terminals and give the battery posts a good clean and fit the new terminals and nylock nuts and you will not have future battery problems, Cheers, Huey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james1990 Posted June 9, 2007 Share Posted June 9, 2007 When i saw wingnuts i thought you were refering to my ears. cheers james Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njsconst Posted June 9, 2007 Author Share Posted June 9, 2007 Good Moring Guys, unfortunately we see this all the time form so called professionals who fit a new engine to a second hand boat or even on new packages. You should never use wingnuts even with spring washers becasue they get done up by hand and will work loose. We only fit nylock nuts that need to be done up with a spanner and do not come loose. The reasons for nylock nuts is that if the battery leads come loose the retifier can fail due to the current not having anywhere to go because the lead is not making good contact with the terminal-this can be expensive. Also having a loose battery terminal can cause problems with the cranking and therefore starting of the outboard becasue good voltage is not getting to the starter motor. What we do on any service is check the battery for wingnuts and replace them with nylock nuts, so my advise to any Fishradier is check if you have wingnuts and get rid of them. For about $10 you can buy the correct battery terminals and nylock nuts, then remove the old terminals and give the battery posts a good clean and fit the new terminals and nylock nuts and you will not have future battery problems, Cheers, Huey. Thanks Huey. Once again you've given us comprehensive & logical answer. Nathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuffy Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 Hey James, is that why you never won any foot races at school?? Tuffy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james1990 Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 I came 4th I need an evinrude ete-c. cheers james Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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