Funny; no service station could have run without these in my youth, because the nuts on the clamps were invariably corroded to unwrenchability, a problem compounded by past hamfisted yahoos who thought nuts were supposed to be round. But modern batteries aren't surrounded by a cloud of corrosive gasses, apparently, so the clamps last a long time. I haven't used the pair I own once.
My truck is a 2005 Ford F150 Supercrew. 170, 000 miles and only had to replace tires, brake pads, one tune up at 140,000 miles (manufacturer recommended), oil changes, and 2 batteries.
I swapped the 2nd battery out 3 weeks ago, but the battery was probably okay. A couple of days after replacing the battery well (Mrs. Chilly and me) were at the bank.
We leave the bank and try to start the truck and nothing not even a click
We called our youngest and asked him to bring jumpers. He takes really good care of us and is there in 20 minutes. While waiting for him, we went into the Ace hardware store. I stayed in the store while Mrs. C and Junior run back to the truck to jump it. He opens the hood and finds the stock metal connector on the positive side has corroded through and broke off, taking the wires with it. Our boy touched the half back to the post and the truck starts. He figures the truck will take us home on the alternator alone so he makes sure the wire end is safe and closes the hood. Mrs. C gets halfway across the parking lot and the truck stalls. (The parking lot is a block long and I am at the other end, on the phone with them.)
They come get me and the stuff I had purchased (including the battery clamp and some tools.) My son is an electrician, so he is elected to fix this project.
In addition to the terminal adapter this cost me a new 1/4" Craftsman socket set. I had to go that route because all the other tools that could fo the job were not domestic. I also bought my son a new set of Klein linesman pliers (over $35, Holy Cow!) His tools were at a jobsite and he said his old pair (Greenlees) were worn out.
Bottom line is I would not have guessed that the first thing to go on my truck would be a battery clamp.
And another thing, why didn't my truck run on alternator power?
And yet another thing, how come when we start the truck now randomly the clock and other accessories reset? Only some of the time, usually they work as expected. I better check the fuses and my sons wiring job.
Chilly
