Corroded ring terminal, battery cable

rigoletto

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People,

MTD mower turned over a bunch of time, weakly, and never started. So I cleaned off the corrosion from the positive battery cable and noticed the terminal on that red cable has ben reduced by corrosion over 26 years to about 1/2 the surface it originally had. Does this make a big difference?

It is made of yellow bronze (brass??). Need I replace with same type? Or can I use aluminum? Have yous done this before? Do I just pry apart the clamped/crimped fasterers and recrimp?

Thanks, people.
 

Rivets

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If it was me and had that much corrosion, I would be replacing the entire cable. More that likely the cable insides are also corroded. I never use aluminum connectors on cable that size, always use copper or brass. I also never use crimp connectors on battery cables. I use solder connectors. I also use 8 gauge cable.
 

StarTech

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Always put on new terminals and haven;t tried reusing already been crimp terminals.

And with being a MTD the battery cable is probably 8 gauge copper clad aluminum which should be upgraded to 6 gauge all copper cable.
 

rigoletto

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Wow, good to know, people. Maybe thats why the mower wont start. Can anyone find such a cable on say, Amazon? Other? Thanks.
 

Scrubcadet10

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Tractor Supply sells premade cables in different lengths, if you have one nearby
 

StarTech

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Or any decent shop should have wire, cable lugs, and crimpers to make any length cable.
 

SeniorCitizen

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Wow, good to know, people. Maybe thats why the mower wont start. Can anyone find such a cable on say, Amazon? Other? Thanks.
Jumper cables , usually only on sale at public auctions . Can often buy those for 10c on the dollar . There's enuff Cu in those to make Batt cables the remainder of your mowing days .
 

hlw49

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I have a special crimping tool to put the cable end on. It is made where you put the end in kinda of a cradle and you smack the crimper with a hammer. really tight crimp.
 

Forest#2

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Seniorcitizen says:
If a MTD will cut grass for 26 years it deserves new cables . lol

It deserves more. Might even be time for a oil chainge.
At the very least give it lots of TLC. Might even want to go ahead and arrange for funeral services.
 
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