> From:    Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM>
> Date:    Sun, 26 Aug 2007 10:08:44 -0700
>
> Has anyone found a good way to cover/protect the terminals on top
> where the two batteries connect?

Right angle insulators for battery cables that bolt to studs like this
do exist in the world.  I've used these on a student-built hybrid car
project and they work well:
http://www.delcity.net/delcity/servlet/catalog?parentid=1033&page=1

One minor problem is that Del City has a $25 minimum order and the the
insulators are less than a buck each.  You may be able to find them
locally - I'd try maybe an RV shop, a battery *distributor* (not just a
place that sells batteries, but the warehouse that is supplying all of
the local garages - Interstate Batteries often has one in larger cities),
or maybe a heavy equipment shop (bulldozers, backhoes, stuff like that).
The battery distributor or heavy equipment shop may or may not sell
"retail", but they may be able to tell you who can sell you what you
want locally.

Another option is to fabricate your own out of something like heater
hose or big fuel line.  You may have to experiment a bit to find the
right diameter, but the basic idea is to take a piece of heater hose
maybe 2" long and slit it down one side with a knife.  Then, with the
cable bolted onto the stud, slip the hose over the cable, and slide it
down so it covers the stud.  (It may help to make the slit wider where
it goes over the stud.)  Then throw a couple of zip ties around the
hose to cinch it to the cable.  This is a good place to re-use an old
cruddy hose you pulled off the van - unless it's totally shot, you can
probably cut a couple of inches of good-enough hose out of it.  If you
have or can get some of that split corrugated plastic tubing that is
made for bundling wires into a harness, it can be used in the same way.

Yet another option is to get happy with electrical tape.  This is a
major pain in the butt when you have to take the connection apart later,
but electrical tape is universally available at 24-hour Wally Worlds,
truck stops, etc.

Standard disclaimers apply; I don't get money or other considerations
from any companies mentioned.

Matt Roberds