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Poorly designed jump start terminals?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by macevhicz, Jan 20, 2011.

  1. macevhicz

    macevhicz Junior Member

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    Is it just me, or is the dedicated jump start terminal (on a 2005 Prius) poorly designed?

    In my experience, it's hard to attach jumper cables... The bolt is recessed a bit, and therefore it's hard to fit jumper cables in there in order to attach to the bolt. To get in to the recessed area, I tried a set of cables with a flange that extends beyond the normal clamps, but it had notches for a normal size post, so it wouldn't attach to that little bolt...

    Seems kinda silly to have a dedicated jump-start port that doesn't accept average jumper cables... Does Toyota sell some special Prius jumper cables or something?

    Anyone else also have trouble fitting jumper cables onto that jump-start port?
     
    #1 macevhicz, Jan 20, 2011
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    yes.
     
    #2 bisco, Jan 20, 2011
  3. pEEf

    pEEf Engineer - EV nut

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    You aren't supposed to attach to the stud, if you look closely above it, you will notice a tab, clamp to this instead:

    [​IMG]
     
    #3 pEEf, Jan 20, 2011
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  4. DetPrius

    DetPrius Active Member

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    I think I saw someone suggest keeping an appropriately sized alligator clip in the car that essentially extends the tab to give you something better to clamp the jumper cable onto.
     
    #4 DetPrius, Jan 20, 2011
  5. macevhicz

    macevhicz Junior Member

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    Hmm, well, that would do it! I just never noticed that tab... Something about flipping over that cover made me feel the thing to connect to is the bolt. That tab makes more sense.

    Thank you!
     
    #5 macevhicz, Jan 21, 2011
  6. pEEf

    pEEf Engineer - EV nut

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    Yeah, it's easy to not notice the tab at first. I didn't notice it until I took the nut off to add the wire shown in the picture!
     
    #6 pEEf, Jan 21, 2011
  7. Hal W

    Hal W New Member

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    I am missing the red cover, Wasn't there when I purchased the car. I hope Toyota stocks them? Hal
     
    #7 Hal W, Jan 21, 2011
  8. pEEf

    pEEf Engineer - EV nut

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    You don't need the cover, it's probably just there because of the liability lawyers. As long as you have the main cover on it, everything is safe.
     
    #8 pEEf, Jan 21, 2011
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  9. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    Yes, it's the upright square tab that's the positive connection point.

    But you might still have trouble getting a standard jumper clamp on that thing. So a little electrical alligator clip would still be useful.

    [IMGLINK]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31A7EHMMQXL._SL500_AA300_.gif[/IMGLINK]
     
    #9 Boo, Jan 21, 2011
  10. pEEf

    pEEf Engineer - EV nut

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    Just be careful if you go this route, as it could slip off and then ground against something.
     
    #10 pEEf, Jan 21, 2011
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  11. boppo

    boppo Active Member

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    I have some motorcycle jumper cables that work great.
     
    #11 boppo, Jan 21, 2011
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