How strong are battery terminals?

[atikovi]

I've used this type of battery carrier strap for decades to remove and transport batteries but always cringe at the thought of the terminals supporting 30 or 40 pounds. I thought they are soft lead and only connect to the plates inside the case. Just how strong are they then?

 

[Oillover]

IIRC they are basically the frame of the battery.

 

[atikovi]

OK

 

[RoadDukie]

These straps work well, but you must lift gently and smoothly. Don't go yanking on it while lifting as there is potential to damage the internal lead structure.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I think if the whole thing was made of metal, it would probably be stronger.

I prefer batteries with built in go handles.

 

[ctechbob]

I worry less about them supporting the weight as I do breaking the seal between the plastic and lead causing vapors to seep out and corrode the terminals.

There is a similar design that grips the case, get one of those and use it.

 

[atikovi]

I worry less about them supporting the weight as I do breaking the seal between the plastic and lead causing vapors to seep out and corrode the terminals.

There is a similar design that grips the case, get one of those and use it.

View attachment 219651

Those don't work when there isn't room on the sides of the battery.

 

[Donald]

Most of the batteries (not original) have some kind of carrying strap.

I myself would not use a battery strap that attached to the battery terminals.

 

[Chris142]

These straps work well, but you must lift gently and smoothly. Don't go yanking on it while lifting as there is potential to damage the internal lead structure.

Guess you never had to lift a huge 4D battery out of an excavator? You get those out any way possible,

 

[Chris142]

Most of the batteries (not original) have some kind of carrying strap.

They like to break while you are using them too.

 

[John105]

Wow, never knew of such a strap!

My wife’s car has the battery under the rear right passenger’s feet, in a well. The 3rd battery which I put in (Costco back then), had no handle. It’s ok lowering/dropping it in place, but tricky to take out. Possible to smash one’s hands (no room around it to fully grab it). That strap would have been great!

The current ones have a handle built in, so easy to remove..

 

[atikovi]

Most of the batteries (not original) have some kind of carrying strap.

I myself would not use a battery strap that attached to the battery terminals.

Maybe 50/50. And not this one.

 

[willbur]

I've used this type of battery carrier strap for decades to remove and transport batteries but always cringe at the thought of the terminals supporting 30 or 40 pounds. I thought they are soft lead and only connect to the plates inside the case. Just how strong are they then?

I've wondered about this too, but it never damaged any after using one for 40 years or so

 

[paulo57509]

What do they use at AZ to lift batteries?

I've used a top terminal strap for decades without issue. For side terminal batteries I think twice about a strap.

Alternate lifting method - a friend of mine took an auto shop class while he was at San Jose State. He told me one day these two HUGE dudes brought in an old Chevy. They were going to swap the battery but one guy couldn't get is hands in between the rad support/body to lift it out. The other guy tells him to step aside. He palms the battery, lifts it out and places it on the floor one handed.