4020D 24 volt system and battery posts

Over the years I have ruined several good batteries on my 4020D with 24 volt starting system. I just ruined another one this morning that is just a little over a year old. When I go to start it up, the connection on the post must not be making good connection and it burned / welds off part of the post on the battery and the terminal on the battery cable. Been starting fine and no changes made to the connection to the battery. Other than checking the terminal for tightness before cranking it, what can be done to prevent this? I do actually check for tightness before starting it and did so this morning as well. Converting it to 12 volt starting would probably help but I can;t do that right now.

All suggestions appreciated.

steve

Mornin Steve, I've seen your problem (past farmer and used tractor dealer) on 24 as well as 12 volt systems and you asked "All suggestions appreciated." so here are mine: I'm sure the other fine sparkies and gents here have more suggestions

1) Clean tight bright n shiny battery posts and battery cables and connections (ALL connections and cables to starter and solenoid and batteries) with heavy duty high current rated cables or cable ends or after market terminals like semi trucks use NOT any light duty wimpy automotive cables or ends..........

2) Large cables such as say 0 Gauge or better yet 00 gauge quality even welding cable is good.

3) I prefer using BOTH the felt washers underneath PLUS the battery terminal spray protective coating on the batteries.

4) High rated heavy duty high CCA quality batteries KEPT FULLY CHARGED

5) Of course, the solenoid and starter connections must also be clean tight bright n shiny. If in doubt remove n clean n wire brush and inspect all solenoid and starter connections and cables n cable ends.....Look for evidence of overheating or carbon or arcing. Unfortunately a molded end may look good to what the eye can see but theres damage and resulting heat and carbon and resistance underneath !!!!!!!!!!

6) In the event one battery is discharging more then the other be sure there's no excess copper dust in the starter motor causing a discharge making for difficult cranking.

7) Obviously a faulty starter can draw excess current even if all else of the above is okay.

8) Where it matters and if necessary, block heaters can make cranking easier.

John T

Get new ends crimped on your battery cables. That's what I had to do.

I do not think the 24V is to blame for this, cables connections must be good regardless of configuration.

(quoted from post at 11:03:26 07/08/18) I do not think the 24V is to blame for this, cables connections must be good regardless of configuration.

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IMHO 24 volts is a lot more likely to burn battery posts/cable ends from poor/loose connection than any 12 volt battery post/cable end. Most 12 volt poor connections I witnessed just don't make good connection so engine won't turn over

In addition to what has been said about keeping the posts and cable ends shined up, note condition of clamp bolts in the cable ends, and if the bolts are nearly rusted away, or tightly corroded into the cable end, it's time to replace them.

Sometimes, they are so corroded in place they need to be sawed in half and the remains wiggled out with a Vice Grip.

Then, I grab a 5/16" bit with the Vice Grip and manually clean out the bolt holes and install new "battery cable bolts".

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. It never ocurred to me that the other end of the cables at the starter and solonoid could be causing this. Ill check all this out and hopefully fix the issue.

Is there anyway to fix the melted post on the battery? Id hate to buy and put a new one on just to melt the new terminal on the next crank attempt.

Thanks again.

Depending upon how bad the terminal post is, you MAY be able to use a "battery post shim". Available from auto parts stores and even the battery dept. at WallyWorld for $2 or #3 a pair.

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BTW, problem causing the arcing away of the battery post is an issue THERE, NOT at the starter end of the cable, tho, of course, making sure things are clean and tight there is a GOO plan, as well.