Unilug

The Patrol has a starter battery (obviously) and auxiliary battery under the bonnet. When it was set up the wiring were well organised. Over the years as things were added it began to look like spaghetti, especially some of the smaller terminals connected to gauges and monitors. The Doc could have had it all rewired through a fuse box or busbar but he looked for a more cost-effective DYI solution.

He found the Unilug, an Australian designed battery terminal (unfortunately not made in Australia).

The Unilug attaches to the standard battery post, but then gives you two configurable terminals. It is well made and versatile. You can use it in the two bolt configuration or you can have one standard terminal battery post and one bolt.

The standard battery post just screws onto the bolt, there is a second nut allowing you to configure a two-bolt setup. You can use a wrench on the top of the battery post to tighten or loosen the post. You can see the cutaways in the image.

The “nut” and bolt used to attach the Unilug to the original battery post is easy to loosen and tighten, as the “nut” is counter sunk into the Unilug – someone thought about the design.

The Doc installed the Unilug on both batteries and tidied all the wiring up. It allows you to put heavier cables on one terminal and the smaller ones on the second. Avoiding the smaller terminals being crushed or bent as you tighten to secure the heavier cables.

Pricing does vary but The Doc has bought them for $49 for a pair including postage (negative and positive). The only difference between the two terminals is the colour of the plastic insulation cover, the underlying terminals are identical. A small screw is used to attach the insulation to the Unilug.

The Doc also carries one Unilug in his spares kit.

The Doc had a similar issue with the battery box between the large and small terminals attaching to the battery posts. When you tighten the bolt to secure the large terminals, it can damage the smaller terminals. It is not ideal. The battery box has an AGM battery which uses a bolt configuration rather than the standard battery posts seen on car batteries.

This KickAss battery terminal is typical of AGM batteries.

Enter the Blue Sea Systems Terminal Mount BusBar.

Blue Sea Systems Terminal Mount BusBar

Blue Sea is a well-known name in marine circles. The Terminal Mount BusBar can be tightened down with larger terminals without any problems. The smaller terminals are then attached to the BusBar. You may have to change some of the terminals to ensure they are compatible with the BusBar. The Doc’s Crimping Guide is here.

Another very elegant solution, with built-in insulation.

Here are the technical drawings for the Blue Sea Systems Terminal Mount BusBar here.

If you need the positive terminal to be fused, buy the Blue Sea Systems ST Blade ATO/ATC Fuse Blocks instead.