Protection for leisure battery terminals

[LittleMissSunshine]

Sorry if this is a simple question -

We have recently changed our leisure battery and the terminals are now close to the passenger chair metal base. As we move the chair I am scared I'll get a shock.

I read somewhere on here about terminal protection - but have searched and cannot find it.

Can anyone recommend a safe way of keeping the battery terminals covered and me safe

[California Dreamin]

Batteries usually come with plastic terminal covers but it sounds like the battery you have bought is too tall in the first place possibly a standard 190mm instead of the necessary 175mm (code 100 is the favourate for the leisure box)
You have good reason for concern....an old inner tube with spray glue is a favourate for insulating things.

Martin

[LittleMissSunshine]

It is the correct one - code 100 - but our old battery was tiny and things make me nervous!

Thanks for the reply - have plenty of inner tubes.

[kevtherev]

you won't get a shock
that's AC current

[LittleMissSunshine]

Thanks Kev

[California Dreamin]

No shocks but there is an outside chance of a battery explosion..... and certainly a flat battery as a minimum.

I once witnessed a battery explosion at a garage I was working at....some guy had left a battery on fast charge over lunch break (big rolling charger with fast start so lots of amps)
One of the other mechanics just brushed passed the car and the static from his overalls was enough to ignite the hydrogen gas that was bubbling.

It was like one of those Tom & Jerry cartoons with the exploding cigar....BANG! the battery was in bits, acid everywhere, we stripped the guy down to his underpants and put his head and body under the tap. The car was Soaked in wash suds but was never the same...two days later the paint reacted, not good.
The guy was OK, his saving grace was that he wore glasses so despite getting acid mix on his face his eyes were protected.

Like I say....make a lid or if you do have a metal hidged lid spray glue and inner tube to insulate.

Martin

[ghost123uk]

No shocks but there is an outside chance of a battery explosion..... and certainly a flat battery as a minimum.

I once witnessed a battery explosion at a garage I was working at....

Like I say....make a lid or if you do have a metal hinged lid spray glue and inner tube to insulate.

Martin

Defo what Martin says, no shock risk but potentially dangerous, I too saw a battery go bang once when a GPO mechanic let a socket bar land across the terminals - not at all funny

If you have a metal lid I would put 2 layers of inner tube on and check it occasionally (say each time before setting off camping) to make sure it ain't wearing through. Our "lids" on both sides are plastic on the Tin-Top and ply wood with carpet on the Hi-Top, so no worries. Plywood and carpet would be easy to make and safer than metal or no lids (imho).

[LittleMissSunshine]

The lid is plywood - just the metal base gets too close when rotating the seat.

Will sort, have lots of inner tubes. Is bicycle thickness ok?

[ghost123uk]

The lid is plywood - just the metal base gets too close when rotating the seat.

Will sort, have lots of inner tubes. Is bicycle thickness ok?

Ummm, our swivel seat base swivels over the top of our plywood & carpet lid.
Perhaps you could raise it up 1/2" with some nuts or washers under the base ?

Bicycle inner tubes = If you have to go that route, I would double up for added safety.

[Hacksawbob]

you can fit a battery terminal cover something like this.
http://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/p ... ategory/32" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;