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?

 

I built a set of jumper cables out of 2/0. Everything I've jump started has been lightning fast. I think if you have the means to build 2/0 battery cables you should do it.

 

Welding cable has finer strands and is more flexible...

 

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?

 

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--

 

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?

 

I would strip a couple of inches of the end ans solder that, slide some "heat shrink" over the end and crimp. Then solder the clamp on and shrink the "heat shrink" sleeve over the connection. I always go over kill.If you can afford it use the welding cable. It will simply last longer.

jimbo

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

Well DAVE you'r right I never notised it until you said it so now i should use 3/0 at a minimun.... maby i'll price 4/0 thanks.........