I haven’t seen a wing nut in years, they started putting regular nuts on the batteries I’ve bought going back to probably 2015 or so 

2 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

I haven’t seen a wing nut in years, they started putting regular nuts on the batteries I’ve bought going back to probably 2015 or so 

You haven’t seen a wing nut in years. I find that you don’t have a mirror in your house hard to believe.  😂😂😂😂😂😂

For  hose that use wing nuts.....make a wrench to tighten them !  Either a piece of flat metal or I used a small flat piece of lexan plastic with a slot cut into it, wide enough to slip over the wings on my wingnuts.. On my coast gard inspection, they checked my wing nuts, if they could be easily loosened with fingers, no pass !!  If I have an electrical emergency, I don't want to be hunting for a wrench, using lexan , I can attach this with a zip tie so it is handy at all times and no worries about sparking or shorts. 

2 hours ago, airshot said:

For  hose that use wing nuts.....make a wrench to tighten them !  Either a piece of flat metal or I used a small flat piece of lexan plastic with a slot cut into it, wide enough to slip over the wings on my wingnuts.. On my coast gard inspection, they checked my wing nuts, if they could be easily loosened with fingers, no pass !!  If I have an electrical emergency, I don't want to be hunting for a wrench, using lexan , I can attach this with a zip tie so it is handy at all times and no worries about sparking or shorts. 

If and when a wing nut becomes loose, it will get very hot under a load. Attempting to tighten it up will cause a nasty burn on your fingers

I don’t use them now, but I never had a problem tightening/loosening my wing nuts with needle nosed pliers. Just mind that you don’t touch both terminals. 

14 hours ago, Scott F said:

If and when a wing nut becomes loose, it will get very hot under a load. Attempting to tighten it up will cause a nasty burn on your fingers

That is the reason for the tool, make sure they don't come loose !  Always have used some kind of tool on my wingnuts, so never had one come loose..  What ever type of fastener you use, be sure it is tightened with a tool, not just your fingers !  Make sure you have quick access to whatever tool is needed to loosen those fasteners when an emergency takes place !

Due to Hurricane Beryl and the power outages, I didn’t attempt any battery charging until now. Just hooked up the battery and charger and it’s charging. Never had the opportunity to cut off the old clips and crimp on the copper cable lugs and new heat shrink. I’ll do that on Monday. 

Well, my crimpers were up to the task. So was my wife’s hair dryer. They are crimped tight and the heat shrink is tight as well. Ops test on the battery was good to go!