Read in a farm magazine that copper clamps conduct 90% of the current as lead clamps only about 10%. suppose to be more trouble free and aid in better starting. If the cable is copper, ok, and the copper clamp is to be better, isn't the battery post still lead? So what good is the copper clamp? ?????
- Thread starter Greenfrog
- Start date
Read in a farm magazine that copper clamps conduct 90% of the current as lead clamps only about 10%. suppose to be more trouble free and aid in better starting. If the cable is copper, ok, and the copper clamp is to be better, isn't the battery post still lead? So what good is the copper clamp? ?????
MarkB_MI
Well-known Member
- Location
- Motown USA
The conductivity of copper is about ten times that of lead. But that is mostly besides the point. Steel has a poor conductivity, too, but we don't make cars out of copper to get a better ground. It's the total resistance of the clamp, connections and cables that matters; as long as the resistance of the clamp is relatively low compared to the other parts of the circuit, the material used for the clamp isn't that important.
For that matter, clamps aren't made of pure copper or pure lead. Both metals are far too soft in their pure form. The "copper" ones are really brass or bronze. I assume the "lead" clamps are some alloy of lead, tin and other metals.
What's far more important than the material are the connections themselves. I have never seen one of the "bolt on" replacement clamps used where it didn't eventually cause a problem. I like to put a little dab of anti-seize on my battery terminal connections to improve the conductivity and prevent corrosion.
For that matter, clamps aren't made of pure copper or pure lead. Both metals are far too soft in their pure form. The "copper" ones are really brass or bronze. I assume the "lead" clamps are some alloy of lead, tin and other metals.
What's far more important than the material are the connections themselves. I have never seen one of the "bolt on" replacement clamps used where it didn't eventually cause a problem. I like to put a little dab of anti-seize on my battery terminal connections to improve the conductivity and prevent corrosion.
Challenger
Member
Never criticize a curious mind. That is how we all progress.
Just like wire/cable etc., the battery cable clamps ARE NOT perfect (NO resistance) conductors but offer some, albeit relatively small, RESISTANCE just like the (NON perfect conductor) battery cables themselves. With such a short distance the voltage drop in the clamp will vary slight versus if they are lead or copper. I'm not familiar with pure copper battery cable clamps?????? but do see the brass appearing ones which Ive had good luck using.
In yearsssssssssss of battery use in farming and trucking and marine applications Ive had good luck when I clean the posts n connections n clamps n all terminations all shiny bright,,,,,,, use the felt looking anti corrosion washers under the clamps,,,,,,,,,,use the red anti corrosion spray,,,,,,,keep the battery top clean,,,,,,,avoid overcharging.
Of course, YES indeed copper is a good conductor and its your tractor and your choice so if you use some sort of "copper" clamps suitable as battery cable clamps ID SAY GO FOR IT.....
Best wishes n God Bless
Ol John T
In yearsssssssssss of battery use in farming and trucking and marine applications Ive had good luck when I clean the posts n connections n clamps n all terminations all shiny bright,,,,,,, use the felt looking anti corrosion washers under the clamps,,,,,,,,,,use the red anti corrosion spray,,,,,,,keep the battery top clean,,,,,,,avoid overcharging.
Of course, YES indeed copper is a good conductor and its your tractor and your choice so if you use some sort of "copper" clamps suitable as battery cable clamps ID SAY GO FOR IT.....
Best wishes n God Bless
Ol John T
David - Alabama
Member
Just don'y swap your copper cups for lead cups from China.
this is one of the most overlooked problems, the termals look ok, but the top of the battery is wet,
next time you see a wet or even damp battery, get a test meter and put one end on the battery and the other end just kinda pass it through that damp muck on top of the battery, the test meter will show votage, this is shorting out your battery little by little,
Russ from MN
Well-known Member
- Location
- Bemidji MN
We are having problems with the connectors on our 07 Silverado, (GM went back to top terminals, never had a problem with side terminals) What is the opinion on using ant-seize, it is metallic?
fixerupper
Well-known Member
Seems to me the copper clamps rot away faster. Anyone else noticed this? Jim
MarkB_MI
Well-known Member
- Location
- Motown USA
They're not copper, they're brass. The zinc in brass becomes an anode to the copper in a corrosive environment and gets eaten up, leaving a copper "honeycomb".
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