Hot Battery terminal?

humm · 8th January 2010, 20:53

Hello,

Today I was swiping one battery between two cars.

Car1: Battery terminals perfectly -- ok. Terminals are normal temperature.

Car2: When battery was connected and moved etc, while removing the battery, I found the NEgative terminal of the battery to have become HOT!

Someone told me maybe the connectors are loose. I found out it was a bit loose, therefore I removed the battery again and connected everything properly. Switch on the car for few minutes and close the car.

I check the battery terminals again. Positive terminal seems to be normal temp, again the negative terminal is a bit HOT.

Is everything ok??

dadu · 9th January 2010, 11:58

check alternator output and grounding.

clevermax · 9th January 2010, 12:09

There is some loose contact there which makes the terminal hot. The loose contact provides a path with more resistance and thus it heats up when current flows. Just grind the terminal a bit to expose some good metal surface and the fix the connectors.

vigsom · 9th January 2010, 22:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by humm

I check the battery terminals again. Positive terminal seems to be normal temp, again the negative terminal is a bit HOT.

Is everything ok??

What is the cable like in both cars? look the same?

In any case,the negative should not get hot

if you could post pics of the same battery fitted in cars 1,2 maybe we can deduce something

BaCkSeAtDrIVeR · 9th January 2010, 22:33

Check alternator circuitry. It may be that alternator charging current is too much.

humm · 9th January 2010, 23:43

Wiring, setup everything is perfect. I'll verify the system again tomo and report back.

R2D2 · 10th January 2010, 19:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by humm

Wiring, setup everything is perfect. I'll verify the system again tomo and report back.

The loose contact may have messed up the internal connectors from the --ve terminal to the plates. Also, internal resistance caused by sulphation can cause a battery to heat up.

When you get the charging system checked, get the battery load tested as well. Make it a habit to check the battery water levels + cable clamps regularly and fill the cells with distilled water/tighten the clamps as required.

Cheers!

SirAlec · 13th January 2010, 00:31

its the case of loose contact I guess.

Just curious, is the battery of same amperage?

8th January 2010, 20:53	#1
humm BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 78 Thanked: 4 Times	Hot Battery terminal? Hello, Today I was swiping one battery between two cars. Car1: Battery terminals perfectly -- ok. Terminals are normal temperature. Car2: When battery was connected and moved etc, while removing the battery, I found the NEgative terminal of the battery to have become HOT! Someone told me maybe the connectors are loose. I found out it was a bit loose, therefore I removed the battery again and connected everything properly. Switch on the car for few minutes and close the car. I check the battery terminals again. Positive terminal seems to be normal temp, again the negative terminal is a bit HOT. Is everything ok??
	() Thanks

9th January 2010, 11:58	#2
dadu Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 3,800 Thanked: 463 Times View My Garage	check alternator output and grounding.
	() Thanks

9th January 2010, 12:09	#3
clevermax Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tvm/Amsterdam Posts: 2,117 Thanked: 2,916 Times View My Garage	There is some loose contact there which makes the terminal hot. The loose contact provides a path with more resistance and thus it heats up when current flows. Just grind the terminal a bit to expose some good metal surface and the fix the connectors. Last edited by clevermax : 9th January 2010 at 12:13.
	() Thanks

9th January 2010, 22:33	#5
BaCkSeAtDrIVeR Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kochi Posts: 2,540 Thanked: 758 Times	Check alternator circuitry. It may be that alternator charging current is too much.
	() Thanks

9th January 2010, 23:43	#6
humm BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 78 Thanked: 4 Times	Wiring, setup everything is perfect. I'll verify the system again tomo and report back.
	() Thanks

13th January 2010, 00:31	#8
SirAlec Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: zxc Posts: 3,393 Thanked: 727 Times	its the case of loose contact I guess. Just curious, is the battery of same amperage?
	() Thanks