Having found that disconnecting and reconnecting the battery is not made simple I decided to look into ways to make it a little easier.

from the river-based people I purchased a 'URAQT 12V 4-Way Positive Negative Quick-Release Pure Brass Battery Terminal Connector'

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/G/02/apparel/rcxgs/tile._CB483369956_.gif

and a set of '8pcs Car Battery Post Terminal Shims with Washers'

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/G/02/apparel/rcxgs/tile._CB483369956_.gif

The result was successful (as in the engine starts and charges the battery), though not especially pretty. At least the connections are nice and tight:

I stopped as I was getting too cold :-).

I plan to see if the cables can be re-routed / re-positioned so that the metal ends are upside down, which would make for a better connection or, failing that, strip the ends of the cables and terminate them properly so they are connected as intended, which is with the main connection being clamped in the middle and additional connections using either of the side bolts.

I also want to tidy up the various additions that have left a number of loose cables.

Things to note:

1) undoing the cable ends is best done first, before disconnecting the original connectors as they are very tightly done up.

2) the terminal posts are different sizes so different shims are needed.

3) as usual the windows and clock need to be reset after reconnecting

4) the + terminal does have a cover, I pulled it back for the photo.

5) the more interesting bit is that with these fitted you can now get a non-jap terminal battery, which is a nice option to have.

I hope this may be of interest to people.

Paul

Edited Friday at 10:02 AM5 days by Gamith
Various minor revisions to the spelling and grammer. then adding point 5, and most recent is removing the part 1 and changing the picture to the latest version :-).

Good looking set up.

I’m about to change my connectors/bolts as I think the ageing bolts/threads are causing an occasional ‘loosening’ issue.

Hi Gordon,

I am pleased with them so far - though I need to straighten the lugs on the existing connection ends to get them to connect smoothly, or take the ends off entirely and get some new connectors like these: https://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/battery-power-cable-terminals.html so all the cables can be connected properly.

The tightness can be easily adjusted. I have them set up quite tight so I can't imagine them coming loose - though I guess a tie-wrap around the end of the lever is a possible solution should that ever happen.

A side effect of this is to take connectors up to UK size it would be possible to swap the battery out for a normal battery - which might come in handy.

Cheers.

Paul