battery cables

[petetx]

what size cable do you guys use to replce all the battery cables onyour tractors need to replace cables on my 1030 ck parts house in town only stocks the small auto cables looking at using welder lead. thanks for advice

 

[Gene Dotson]

Pete'
I make all of my cables from either #1 or #1-0 welding cable. it is fine braided and very easy to work with. Carries a heavier load too. Use the crimp/solder ends for good continuity and seal the ends with shrink wrap. NAPA carries the battery terminal ends in various sizes. ... Gene

 

[Anonymous-0]

1 or 0 for 12 volts, 00 or bigger for 6 volts. Local NAPA stocks the fat ones.

Gerald J.

 

[El Toro]

You can't beat welding cables. Solder the lugs on. Hal

 

[Mike (WA)]

Do you solder, or just crimp (with proper tool)? Have heard that soldering may not be all that great, crimping may be better. Certainly easier.

 

[CLTX]

Go with 0 for smaller engines and 00 with larger engines. Solder to the terminals.

 

[ChrisB]

I would never crimp a cable that size. Here is how I solder cables like that easily.

Measure the "cup" you are sticking the cable into and strip the cable about 1/8" shorter. Tin the cable with solder like you normally would.
If using welder cable, you really have to be precise to get a good tin of solder all the way through the fine cooper strands.

Take the terminal you are attaching it to and put it in a vice with the solder cup portion facing up. Heat up the cup up and fill about 1/2 of solder. Now while keeping the cup melted start heating up the already tinned cable. Once they are both at the point of the solder being liquefied, push the cable all the way into the cup. Hold the cable steady as possible while it cools.

I like to use heatshrink around the connection as well. Not the normal crappy heat shrink, but the good thick gel coated heatshrink. (if you have a hard time finding the good heatshrink, look for low voltage outdoor lighting cabling)

If using welder cable, you really have to be precise to get a good tin of solder all the way through the cooper.

 

[thurlow]

For 2-0, 4-0 cables my parts house guy crimps them using his hydraulic hose repair crimper; I've also got a homemade jig which uses a nut for a 7/8 inch bolt w/a slot cut out and a 'wedge-shaped' pin which fits into my hydraulic press. Never had one come apart.

 

[guido]

Hello ChrisB,
Crimp, solder, shrink wrap.........done!
Thats the way i do it.
Guido.

 

[guido]

Hello thurlow,
Crimp, solder, shrink wrap. Thats the way!
Did you read my response on your pond?
Exellent!
Guido.

 

[thurlow]

I musta missed it, but THANKS!

 

[Guido.]

Hello thurlow,
Go and read it!
Guido.

 

[thurlow]

Can't find it; I dis-remember which forum or topic..........retirement??

 

[thurlow]

Went back into the archives and found it; I appreciate the thoughts; Thanks.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I know a guy that was the manager at Bowman distribution. They had a heavy duty crimper for making battery cables for heavy equipment. It used special ends on the cable and could even splice a single a cable for a dual battery set up. It was a pricey tool though but was better than a factory cable. Dave

 

[Anonymous-0]

Acid gets into crimp connections.Battery cable can be bought by the foot.

 

[guido]

hello thurlow,
You're welcome!
Guido.

 

[guido]

Hello thurlow,
You're welcome!
Guido.