Wheres a good place to get battery cables?

[thatK30guy]

I'm looking for the thickest cables I can get. 0/1 or something like that? About big around as a pinkie finger. Anyone know of an online source to get some from?

 

[AJMBLAZER]

I keep hearing folks say use jumper cables.

 

[wasted wages]

Welding shop.....Car stereo shops,,,,,Jeg's

http://www.jegs.com/p/JEGS/752508/10002/-1/10367

 

[77crewcab]

How much do you need? Does color matter.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Mine are 1/0, I got them from a welding supply place online. I don't remember which, but a quick google/ebay search will pretty much tell you what's out there.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Go to a welding shop and buy some welding cable and then to your local auto parts store and buy the terminal ends and solder them on yourself. I've made several cables this way and they are way better than the junk you buy in the stores. Welding cable has many fine strands of copper wire that prevents lots of resistance.

 

[73k5blazer]

http://www.delcity.net
Click on welding cable, this cable is good for 105c, so good for engine compartments, watch what your buying elsewhere.

But, uh, why, ahhem, would you need 1/0 cable? 2ga should do just fine for most winch/stereo applications.

 

[badmix]

What 4x4high said.

I made my own cables when I put in my dual batt setup. It was easy and you can get the exact length you want. I used the crimp connects and the NAPA store let me borrow their crimper thing, you smack it with a big hammer and then I soldered it up as well. Been 2-3 years and no issues.

 

[dremu]

Note that a reasonably big bench vise, or even better, a hydraulic press, make good crimps. And I soldered one set recently, with a propane torch, but you're not supposed to use plumbing solder on electrical stuff, so it was ... odd. I'm used to soldering MUCH smaller connections =))

-- A

 

[73k5blazer]

I use this for crimping large terminals, $17. BFH not included.

http://www.delcity.net/delcity/servlet/catalog?parentid=10383&page=1

 

[badmix]

that is the same one I used. NAPA will lend them out to you if your in good with them. I knew I didnt need to buy one, so they lent it to me. And yes, itll takes a BFH and dont try to crimp it on your truck or something wimpy surface.

 

[Mike D]

The latest technology has proven that electricity flows over the surface of the wire, therefore many strands of fine wire wraped together will carry more current than one thick wire of equal diameter. Check welding suppliers and auto stereo installers that specialize in very high watt amplifier instillations.
Also check the back pages of 4x4 mags. They usually have listings of HD battery cable suppliers.

 

[DPI]

What 4x4high said.

I made my own cables when I put in my dual batt setup. It was easy and you can get the exact length you want. I used the crimp connects and the NAPA store let me borrow their crimper thing, you smack it with a big hammer and then I soldered it up as well. Been 2-3 years and no issues.

Did the same thing.

Welding stores carry terminal ends too and they can install them as well if you buy the cable from them, usually at no charge.

 

[ryoken]

compound crimpers with die sets are the only way to fly... smash crimpers are so Fred Flintstone...

my stuff, I solder, them run the die over it... the other 84 million battery connections and systems I do a year, crimp only...

I prefer tinned marine to welding cable, but both are quality options...

 

[RootBreaker]

i bought 3/0 welding cable when I ran lines to my winch.....

oh yeah... back to your question..... got mine on ebay...

 

[Mudstud]

Saw where a guy had bought a cheap pair of bolt cutters from HF and ground the head a little to make a HD crimper.

Not like the guys crimper i saw before but here's another guys idea
http://www.haritech.com/crimp.htm This one is too much work.

 

[lak2004]

Here: http://custombatterycables.com/

 

[blazin_blazer]

if you get stereo wire, you can get oxygen free copper, thats supposed to allow more current to flow, but they are proud of it, as its kinda pricey...i have stinger brand going to stereo in 00, i used 0 welding cable to the starter b/c its insulation is tougher!

jumper cables....thats something i've never thought of, i bet thats a good cheap way of getting heavy cable from dollar general...or freds

 

[RootBreaker]

if you get stereo wire, you can get oxygen free copper, thats supposed to allow more current to flow, but they are proud of it, as its kinda pricey...i have stinger brand going to stereo in 00, i used 0 welding cable to the starter b/c its insulation is tougher!

jumper cables....thats something i've never thought of, i bet thats a good cheap way of getting heavy cable from dollar general...or freds

I have yet to find a cheap set of 2 gauge jumper cables....

 

[romeolimagolf]

I remember one Extreme 4x4 episode when they were wiring the Urban Gorilla project. They used Streetwire's Power Cables for the battery cables and also for the cable going back to the rear mounted winch. You can buy Streetwire Power Cables at Crutchfield.

http://www.crutchfield.com/g_718/Power-Ground-Cable.html?tp=2472


also, here is a link that may be usefu for making your own battery cables:

http://www.fordmuscle.com/blog/soldering-battery-cable-terminal-ends/112174