Positive connection nut size?

[n8wrl]

Does anyone know the size of the nut that goes on the stud for the positive battery connection in that little red box under the hood? I'm guessing it's metric...

Thanks!

-Brian n8wrl

 

[colek]

17mm, watch that your wrench or socket handle don't hit the housing of the alternator... it makes pretty sparks.

 

[n8wrl]

17mm, watch that your wrench or socket handle don't hit the housing of the alternator... it makes pretty sparks.

Thanks so much Ed!

-Brian n8wrl

 

[colek]

 

[mmdavidw]

17mm, watch that your wrench or socket handle don't hit the housing of the alternator... it makes pretty sparks.

Sounds like you speak from experience.

Come on... we want details.

David

 

[colek]

Sounds like you speak from experience.

Come on... we want details.

David

Yep. On my '99 GMC Sierra. Very pretty sparks. Cut hand & brused elbow tryin' to get away before I realized what happened. It sucked.

 

[steelheadchaser]

17mm, watch that your wrench or socket handle don't hit the housing of the alternator... it makes pretty sparks.

That is why you should always disconnect the negative cable first!

 

[ShapeShifter]

That is why you should always disconnect the negative cable first!

Absolutely!

At best, you will get sparks. If you're not lucky, you can get burns. If you're really not lucky you can weld the wrench to the engine, watch it turn cherry red and start melting, and then finally watch your battery explode!

Before you put a wrench or other tool on any high current positive terminal (battery, starter, alternator, high power audio amp, etc.) please always disconnect the negative battery terminal first. (When undoing the negative terminal, nothing will happen if the wrench grounds out.) Once the negative is off, you're all set and you can wrench away with abandon.

-- SS

 

[danlwil]

I saw sparks once... I had hair then

 

[gpventures]

If you're really not lucky you can weld the wrench to the engine, watch it turn cherry red and start melting, and then finally watch your battery explode!
-- SS

WOW, that would be a BAD thing!
That's why I have a h-d disconnect on the negative terminal. It makes it so easy to do the right thing that I'm never tempted to work without disconnecting the battery. And a small mini-fuse holder keeps the clock, etc alive but will burn out long before any unintentional welding could occur. Though it was a challenge to find one for the side mount terminal battery, (top terminal equipment is easy to find).

 

[n8wrl]

Well now the search is on for 17mm nuts! So far a check of about a dozen internet merchants, local auto parts stores, and hardware stores turned up no 17mm nuts. I can buy them from mcmaster but the minimum lot is 25 and I only need 2 . Does anyone know of a source for this size? Seems like I should also be looking for stainless - does that make sense?

Thanks!

-Brian n8wrl

 

[TXAVy]

That's why I have a h-d disconnect on the negative terminal. It makes it so easy to do the right thing that I'm never tempted to work without disconnecting the battery. And a small mini-fuse holder keeps the clock, etc alive but will burn out long before any unintentional welding could occur. Though it was a challenge to find one for the side mount terminal battery, (top terminal equipment is easy to find).

So do tell. Where did you find such a critter? What does it look like? Any links to web page for manufacturer?

 

[gpventures]

TXAVy:

I found it at Griot's Garage

They cater to high end (i.e. Ferrari) types. High quality tools, accessories, everything that you need, or want, to equip your garage - flooring, cabinetry, dirtributed air/electrical, etc.

webpage is here: Side Post Disconnect

Connects in a few minutes, then you just loosen the knob to disconnect electrical power from the battery. You can remove the knob as a theft deterrent. As a precaution, I have a spare. I have had NO problem with these disconnects - I have used the top post version for years in my Z.

 

[ShapeShifter]

webpage is here: Side Post Disconnect

Thanks for the link. Looks cool.

OK, that page lists several accessories:

• The fuse makes sense, you already explained the usefulness of that. But $3.95 is a bit pricey for just a fuse. Is this a standard style fuse (blade or cylinder) that can be purchased locally, or is it something proprietary that must be bought there?
• Also, are the side mount adapters or quick disconnect terminal accessories required in this application?

Got a picture of the installed unit?

-- SS

 

[gpventures]

Thanks for the link. Looks cool.

OK, that page lists several accessories:

• The fuse makes sense, you already explained the usefulness of that. But $3.95 is a bit pricey for just a fuse. Is this a standard style fuse (blade or cylinder) that can be purchased locally, or is it something proprietary that must be bought there?
• Also, are the side mount adapters or quick disconnect terminal accessories required in this application?

Got a picture of the installed unit?

-- SS

Shapeshifter:
You're welcome

• The fuse holder I have is a standard blade type with a wire (maybe 3-4" long) off each side that ends with a ring terminal for really easy installation. But I have seen glass tube type fuses in these also, I'm not sure if I got the blade type one from Griot's or from Performance Products (they have the top post, but not the side post disconnect) You can probably find these for 1/2 the price elsewhere...if it's worth saving $2.
• I didn't use the side mount adapter and don't know what it looks like.
• I'm pretty sure that the 'quick disconnect terminal' that is listed on Griot's site is the top post version and not an add-on to the side post disconnect.

Don't have a digital camera handy , I'll see what I can do as far a a picture.

 

[colek]

TXAVy:

I found it at Griot's Garage

They cater to high end (i.e. Ferrari) types.

And crazy AV owners in Memphis! Both me & TNAV03 use Griot's stuff.

 

[steelheadchaser]

Well now the search is on for 17mm nuts! So far a check of about a dozen internet merchants, local auto parts stores, and hardware stores turned up no 17mm nuts. I can buy them from mcmaster but the minimum lot is 25 and I only need 2 . Does anyone know of a source for this size? Seems like I should also be looking for stainless - does that make sense?

Keep in mind when purchasing nuts and bolts by description that the size of the wrench you use does not correspond to the size of the bolt or nut. Fasteners are sized by the diameter and pitch of the thread, as well as TPI (threads per inch) on s.a.e. fasteners.

 

[gpventures]

And crazy AV owners in Memphis! Both me & TNAV03 use Griot's stuff.

Ditto, for So Cal.

 

[rreidAV03]

What EdwardK said "Griot's STUFF all the way"

 

[ygmn]

GRIOTS is good but $$$$ pricey..............plus the catalogs make for good reading on the can

 

[n8wrl]

Well now the search is on for 17mm nuts! So far a check of about a dozen internet merchants, local auto parts stores, and hardware stores turned up no 17mm nuts. I can buy them from mcmaster but the minimum lot is 25 and I only need 2 . Does anyone know of a source for this size? Seems like I should also be looking for stainless - does that make sense?

Keep in mind when purchasing nuts and bolts by description that the size of the wrench you use does not correspond to the size of the bolt or nut. Fasteners are sized by the diameter and pitch of the thread, as well as TPI (threads per inch) on s.a.e. fasteners.

Hmm. I was under the impression that 17mm was the diameter of the bolt (not the wrench). I did see several pitch options - 1.0, 1.25, and 1.75 mm....

I guess I'll have to call the dealer to see what it is supposed to be.

-Brian n8wrl

 

[ygmn]

I do not think the battery wire stud in the red box is a 17mm thread......if 17 mm wrench though it would be around a 10mm thread though...nbut since GM is goofey on this I would measure

 

[Skidd-au]

GRIOTS is good but $$$$ pricey..............plus the catalogs make for good reading on the can

Mmmm ygmn, clearly you and I have different reading patterns, most dunnys down here would have a good stock of colour magazines, but they are generally not tool company catalouges.

 

[n8wrl]

The nut is 10mm.

Thanks all!

-Brian n8wrl