well thanks for all the input and suggestions. i guess i just didn't want to 'chop off' the gator clips because i thought i might need them in case my power panel battery died. it's happened to me before and i just use older UPS batteries when that happens and they are too big to fit under my panel.
i think i will probably just cut them off or solder another piece of wire from the other side of the 'gator' clip arm and then use a old bike tube to insulate it when i'm using the banana plug. i'll have to see whether that will work.

thanks