Check out battery connecter kit.

PTmowerMech

Lawn Addict
Joined
Apr 16, 2018
Threads
408
Messages
3,127
I do have a question about battery cable. Which is better, a lot of very thin wires together,
1716004710265.png


or fewer thick wires.

1716004726184.png
 

bertsmobile1

Lawn Royalty
Joined
Nov 29, 2014
Threads
65
Messages
24,815
Thin if it has to flex
Thick if it does not move
Look at the cables on an electric welder
Just about hair wire thickness
Now downside of thin wire is the ends must be sealed well .
I use liquid electrical tape
The reason for this is capillary action will cause multistrand wire to suck up a massive amount of water which will cause the wire to corrode inside the sheath.
Thick wire does not have as much very close surfaces so capillary action is far less .

THis is what the 200 Amp wires into my shed have only 3 strands because they cop a lot of water .
 

PTmowerMech

Lawn Addict
Joined
Apr 16, 2018
Threads
408
Messages
3,127
Well, I'm just not impressed with the crimpers. Using the connectors that came with it, the first two didn't crimp worth a hoot. Even using the smallest crimp size I ended up using my hammer.
I think I'll try putting a nail between the connector and the crimper next time. (using that size)
 

StarTech

Lawn Royalty
Top Poster Of Month
Joined
Feb 19, 2020
Threads
82
Messages
10,615
Personally I just stick with the hydraulic crimper I have. I can apply enough pressure to actually fuse the strands if I wanted to but I don't.
 

PTmowerMech

Lawn Addict
Joined
Apr 16, 2018
Threads
408
Messages
3,127
Personally I just stick with the hydraulic crimper I have. I can apply enough pressure to actually fuse the strands if I wanted to but I don't.
It's better to flatten out the connector (using what ever), than to leave it crimped but still in a round shape, right?
 

StarTech

Lawn Royalty
Top Poster Of Month
Joined
Feb 19, 2020
Threads
82
Messages
10,615
Actually the cable lug should indented instead flatting as you want to tighten it up and flatting just spread it out.

Here is the HFT crimper I use. I do however use a size larger die than AWG I am crimping as the same die as AWG produces wings on the cable lugs I use here but they are heavy tin plated lugs.
1716119806979.png
1716120260899.png
1716120211793.png
I use some anti-oxidizer as I assemble the cable. Then some heat shrink over the connection helps seal out moisture.

Also note that cable lugs will accept an AWG size larger and still work. Actually crimps better. This because that either the cable is not a true AWG size or the lug are slightly oversized.
 

PTmowerMech

Lawn Addict
Joined
Apr 16, 2018
Threads
408
Messages
3,127
Actually the cable lug should indented instead flatting as you want to tighten it up and flatting just spread it out.

Here is the HFT crimper I use. I do however use a size larger die than AWG I am crimping as the same die as AWG produces wings on the cable lugs I use here but they are heavy tin plated lugs.
View attachment 68690
View attachment 68692
View attachment 68691
I use some anti-oxidizer as I assemble the cable. Then some heat shrink over the connection helps seal out moisture.

Also note that cable lugs will accept an AWG size larger and still work. Actually crimps better. This because that either the cable is not a true AWG size or the lug are slightly oversized.

The shape of the part that actually crimps (on yours) is the same shape as mine. Maybe it's just the picture and my eyes, but I don't see any indented place on the "properly crimped" connector.
 

StarTech

Lawn Royalty
Top Poster Of Month
Joined
Feb 19, 2020
Threads
82
Messages
10,615
Look closer the whole hex is indented or six flat indents
 

Hammermechanicman

Lawn Addict
Joined
Jan 10, 2020
Threads
58
Messages
3,603
Well, I'm just not impressed with the crimpers. Using the connectors that came with it, the first two didn't crimp worth a hoot. Even using the smallest crimp size I ended up using my hammer.
I think I'll try putting a nail between the connector and the crimper next time. (using that size)
Got a pic of the wire and an uncrimped terminal?
 
Top