Bolts for battery cables

[Navatech]

OK, I got new battery cables and new batteries. Now, what kind of bolt should I use? The size would be 3/8 or M10. That's not what I'm asking. My question is what material the bolts should be made of...

Stainless (marine preferably) makes sense... But so does copper (better conductor)... And where can I find these?!...

[CaptPatrick]

Nav,

Are you refering to a cross bolt or top bolt that locks the lead cable end to the lead battery post?

If so, it really doesn't matter since it's two clean and matching lead surfaces mated together that carries your current flow. The bolt only locks down the connection. any steel bolt will carry current pretty much equally as long as it's clean and not issolated.

[Navatech]

Are you refering to a cross bolt or top bolt that locks the lead cable end to the lead battery post?

Correct...

If so, it really doesn't matter since it's two clean and matching lead surfaces mated together that carries your current flow. The bolt only locks down the connection. any steel bolt will carry current pretty much equally as long as it's clean and not issolated.

If I understand you correctly you're saying the current will go from the (lead) post, through the (tinned) copper lug into the (tinned) copper wire and the function of the fastener is simply to hold the lug against the post?!... I guess that makes sense... Seeing as current runs on the surface of the conductor...

[CaptPatrick]

Yup...

[Rawleigh]

Pat: I always use stainless to prevent corrosion on the threads if any vapors leak out. Any reason not to? It has worked fine for me for years.

[CaptPatrick]

Rawleigh,

I agree, stainless is the way to go. My comment to Nav was that the bolt isn't the current carrier....

[Navatech]

Suggestions for vendors of marine SS bolts, nuts and so forth?!...

[Preston Burrows]

Boltdepot.com serves me well, and they are suited to small or large orders if you have no local supply house you can walk in for,

[Navatech]

Boltdepot.com serves me well, and they are suited to small or large orders if you have no local supply house you can walk in for,

I probably have several (this area is allegedly the boating capital of the state, nation and possible the world) but I'd be looking for marine SS (as opposed to "regular" SS) hardware and every place I've been to so far says ("regular") SS...

I'm starting to believe that nobody makes that stuff out of marine SS...

[CaptPatrick]

316 SS bolts from Amazon

Be sure to notice the "Currently Showing 20 of 108 sizes Show All" Click Show All to see larger sizes... They go all the way to 1/2"-13 x 8".