$218 for a + battery cable??!!
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 175
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From: Canada
$218 for a + battery cable??!!
I nearly s***!
I need the + battery cable that connects the 2 "+" leads of the batteries together. I called the dealer and he quoted me $218 for the cable. My truck is an 02 F250 Crew with a 7.3L and auto trans. What gives? Is it really that much? Is there an aftermarket one available? I would like to keep the look original, but I will make my own before I spend that kind of money on a cable!! Any drawbacks to making my own?
I need the + battery cable that connects the 2 "+" leads of the batteries together. I called the dealer and he quoted me $218 for the cable. My truck is an 02 F250 Crew with a 7.3L and auto trans. What gives? Is it really that much? Is there an aftermarket one available? I would like to keep the look original, but I will make my own before I spend that kind of money on a cable!! Any drawbacks to making my own?
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Blairsville,Ga
Of the next Riffraff East
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,679
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From: Concord NC
From the dealer, yeah that's probably right. Why do you need a new one? If you have a good crimper, you could make your own and I would think NAPA or somewhere like that could make you one.
Snowboard season cometh..
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,406
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From: Gulf Coast of Florida
It's a '0' gauge cable, and you'll need one HECK of a set of crimpers for that. I was just in at a breaker's this morning and the would only go down to $60 for the cables for me. I asked for $40 and the guy said "Do you have any idea what copper goes for now??" I doubt there was more than $40 worth of copper there, and I said that to him, but he wouldn't budge. Comparing $60 to $218 though, I'd hit the breaker's and pick some up there. Get yourself some $5 bolts too while you're there!!! LOL
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,144
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From: Rochdale MA
When I need battey cables I go to my local welding supply shop and buy the wire by the foot. They also have some of the ends that you would need. I have a crimper that will do some pretty big wires. You can buy a hammer style crimper for not a lot of $$. Whatever you do, don't do the squeeze in a vice or hammer and chisel trick, you will end up with a crappy connection. Use Noalox on the wires and you won't have any problems with corrosion.
As far as the price of copper it has gone crazy. 2-3 years ago I used to be able to by 14-2 romex for $55 per 1000' now it's about that much for a 250' coil.
As far as the price of copper it has gone crazy. 2-3 years ago I used to be able to by 14-2 romex for $55 per 1000' now it's about that much for a 250' coil.
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Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Northeast TN
When I need battey cables I go to my local welding supply shop and buy the wire by the foot. They also have some of the ends that you would need. I have a crimper that will do some pretty big wires. You can buy a hammer style crimper for not a lot of $$. Whatever you do, don't do the squeeze in a vice or hammer and chisel trick, you will end up with a crappy connection. Use Noalox on the wires and you won't have any problems with corrosion.
As far as the price of copper it has gone crazy. 2-3 years ago I used to be able to by 14-2 romex for $55 per 1000' now it's about that much for a 250' coil.
As far as the price of copper it has gone crazy. 2-3 years ago I used to be able to by 14-2 romex for $55 per 1000' now it's about that much for a 250' coil.
Jim I would rep ya, but I gotta spread it around.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Virginia Communistwealth
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2003
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It's a '0' gauge cable, and you'll need one HECK of a set of crimpers for that. I was just in at a breaker's this morning and the would only go down to $60 for the cables for me. I asked for $40 and the guy said "Do you have any idea what copper goes for now??" I doubt there was more than $40 worth of copper there, and I said that to him, but he wouldn't budge. Comparing $60 to $218 though, I'd hit the breaker's and pick some up there. Get yourself some $5 bolts too while you're there!!! LOL
Copper wire has gotten nuts. I used to buy the 250ft 12/3 Romex roll for $30--> 3 year ago. The same roll now is over $130.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,144
Likes: 11
From: Rochdale MA
It has gone crazy. Between the price of wire, the new tamper proof outlets, and all the arc fault breakers that we have to use now I have to charge a lot more to wire new houses. And couple that with the fuel. It's gotta end some time.