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Making battery cables

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Old Dec 21, 2014 | 04:18 PM
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Making battery cables

I need new battery cables for my '01 F250 and I have decided to make my own with 2/0 cable between batteries and 3/0 to the starter much like custombatterycables.com makes. Has anyone made their own? I'm looking for lengths and parts lists so I can make them before hand and just swap them. I'm going with military lugs and eyelets.
 
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Old Dec 21, 2014 | 04:33 PM
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My son made some with eyelets and solder pellets. Then used adhesive shrink tube over the ends. Looks sharp.
 
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Old Dec 21, 2014 | 05:59 PM
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you need 'welding cable" it is fine strands or wire. Go to a welding supply house. they should have eyelets you can solder on.
 
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Old Dec 21, 2014 | 06:07 PM
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I've built a number of cables for our racecars, but I have the special lug compression crimper. I know there are some out there that have a threaded collar that threads onto the cable end, crimping the cable in place. I'll see if I can find the link to those.
Barring that, you can go to Battery's Plus or any truck large truck service shop and they can build cables for you..
Soldering those cables and lugs tale one heckuvalot of heat and many times you'll find yourself melting the cable's jacket and still not be hot enough to get good penetration. Crimping is the way to go in my opinion..
 
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Old Dec 21, 2014 | 06:18 PM
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Here you go.. I've seen these used alot and if I did not have the crimper, I would be using them or have them done at one of the places I mentioned..

Amazon.com: Moroso 74175 Battery Cable Terminal: Automotive Amazon.com: Moroso 74175 Battery Cable Terminal: Automotive





 
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Old Dec 21, 2014 | 06:20 PM
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http://www.allbatterysalesandservice.com has a good line on just about everything.
 
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Old Dec 21, 2014 | 07:23 PM
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X2 on the welding cable. Harbor Freight sells an inexpensive hydraulic crimper that works well. Heat shrink finishes it off nicely.
 
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Old Dec 22, 2014 | 01:48 AM
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You really don't need anything bigger than 2/0, you will never notice the difference. 2/0 is already hard to work with due to the size. Even 2/0 is way overkill.
 
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Old Dec 22, 2014 | 05:50 AM
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You can find the heavy duty wire and connections, shrink tube at Home depot or Lowes in the electrical dept at a fair price.
 
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Old Dec 22, 2014 | 05:53 AM
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Originally Posted by Dusty dawge
You can find the heavy duty wire and connections, shrink tube at Home depot or Lowes in the electrical dept at a fair price.
That wire is no good for automotive use, too stiff. Welding cable is much better to work with. The other stuff they have should work just fine.
 
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Old Dec 22, 2014 | 05:59 AM
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Originally Posted by F357
That wire is no good for automotive use, too stiff. Welding cable is much better to work with. The other stuff they have should work just fine.
Take a walk down the aisle some time and you'll see they have more than household wire. I have excavators with magnets that run 230-250 volts and use the wire you're talking about from the welding shop except I buy it a Home Depot when not near a welding supply store.
 
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Old Dec 22, 2014 | 06:27 AM
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I use these people..

KnuKonceptz Home

These folks have some really fine strand cable you can tie in knots its so flexible..
 
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Old Dec 22, 2014 | 06:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Dusty dawge
Take a walk down the aisle some time and you'll see they have more than household wire. I have excavators with magnets that run 230-250 volts and use the wire you're talking about from the welding shop except I buy it a Home Depot when not near a welding supply store.
My Home Depot very much does not have welding cable, and yes, I have looked. They can probably special order it but if you're going to do that there are better places to go...
 
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