Batery cables?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: Boston
Batery cables?
Ok its cable time and I cant deceide weather to soldier or crimp the connections? I am also undeceided on which gauge cable to use I'm thinking about using 2/o . In your oppionion is welding cable better than batt cable?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: Boston
Are thier any bennifits to welding cable becides flexibilty? I wonder if the sheething is oil and gass resisant? It's about 30% more money thhan 2/0 battery cable. But nobody has aunsered my question yet CRIMP OR SOLIDER?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
why not crimp--and solder?? i just crimp mine-have the crimper made to do this--both hammer--and handle style--if the inside is clean-crimp--but before do--put a piece of heat shrink on the cable loose--then after crimp--put this on--stops corrosion--
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: Boston
I dont have ethier tool I was going to purchase the hammer type how or why would you crimp and solider if you soliderd them first than crimped woulnt you desturbe the solider joint? on the other hand if you crimp them their shoulnt be any voids to accept any solider? Great thought I just question the theiry.... Do you put any dielectric grease whean you crimp?
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 894
Likes: 0
From: Greater Floyd Area, AR
Originally Posted by earnies2
Ok its cable time and I cant deceide weather to soldier or crimp the connections?
Originally Posted by earnies2
I am also undeceided on which gauge cable to use I'm thinking about using 2/o . In your oppionion is welding cable better than batt cable?
Originally Posted by earnies2
Are thier any bennifits to welding cable becides flexibilty? I wonder if the sheething is oil and gass resisant? It's about 30% more money thhan 2/0 battery cable. But nobody has aunsered my question yet CRIMP OR SOLIDER?
jimbo
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: las vegas nv.
I like overkill...
Fexibility is not so important on battery cables unless your trying to weave them into a tight place or if they will be moving a lot.I think that cable with more strands has less resistance but i'm not sure.I work in a hospital and a lot of the equipment has real nice cable and wire for truck type projects.I like to crimp ends (those hammer types that leave the indents are cool,) then solder.Turn the end down with the cable going up, so that the solder does't run down the cable too far.I like to use a high tin or silver type solder that has a higher melting point so it does'nt melt when you give some body a jump or something...then I like heatshrink tubing to finish it off,and some of that battery terminal grease like stuff to keep it all nice in damp weather.I hope something here will help you.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
I never paid that much attention to a Power Stroke battery cable, but the IDI uses a 2/0 for the cross cable and 3/0 from the passenger side battery to the starter.
The resistance is changed by the size of the cable, not the number of wire strands in it.
The resistance is changed by the size of the cable, not the number of wire strands in it.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
I have worked DC wiring and cabling for 43 years. Believe me a properly crimped connection on any type of cable is very adequate. I'm fortunate to have a 15 ton hydraulic crimper that makes a welding or flex crimp look like solid copper rod when cut in half to examine the results. This of course is not necessary under normal conditions. As far as the cable size, I normally use #2 or if I have it 2/0 flex. The more strands you have the more conductivity you have. I would strongly suggest an anti corrosive paste coating the skinned end before crimping and possibly heat shrink at least at the battery post ends. It helps retard the gassing effect penetrating the connection around the crimp.
Good luck
Bill in KY
Good luck
Bill in KY
