Battery Cable Questions
Hi all,
The positive cable going to my battery (picture attached) has two issues. (1) It appears that under prior ownership, the cable was spliced and wrapped in electrical tape. (2) The white plastic housing for the fuse is cracked and it keeps popping apart. As such, I would like to replace this portion of the battery cable with something new and better. A few questions, as I know many of you have much electrical knowledge.
1. What is the proper way to splice a battery cable? I've seen information on how to crimp connectors onto wire, but not wire to wire connections and recall that there is a better method than wire nuts.
2. I've looked online and I am not seeing a matching style of cable with fuse. Any thoughts on what to look for?
3. I recently purchased a Battery Tender. It is my understanding that the proper method of charging is to disconnect the TM cables from the battery prior to connecting the Battery Tender. Is this really true or is it okay to leave the battery connected to the TM when charging with the Battery Tender (at least for shorter periods of a few weeks)? It is a bit of a hassle getting under the front shell when closed to disconnect the battery. If disconnecting is essential, would it be okay to add terminals with multiple ring connectors, and then have two separate sets of cables coming from the battery terminals with SAE quick connects -- one set for the Battery Tender and one set that has a positive wire to the TM and negative to the frame? After parking, I could open the battery box, disconnect the SAE that goes to the TM and then connect the SAE that goes to the Batttery Tender. Does this make sense? Or perhaps, could this be done with just one set of SAE cables coming from the battery terminals, switching the other end between TM and Battery Tender?
Thank you for your time and thoughts.
John
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2007 3023QB
2017 F150 3.5L V6 EcoBoost
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