battery cables

[tbird175]

I will be replacing the positive and negative battery cables on my 175 HP mercury engine soon. I will be fabricating my cables with welding cable. What is the best way to attach the ring ends to the cables crimp, solder, or both?

 

[dingbat]

Re: battery cables

Clamp type cable connectors have no business being used on a boat, or anything else for that matter.

A hydraulic crimp connection would be my first choice. A Solder connection second.

BTW: There is no dissimilar metals problem using soldered connectors

 

[Bondo]

Re: battery cables

Ayuh,... Another vote for Crimpin' here...

 

[Jerryh3]

Re: battery cables

Crimp

 

[jlinder]

Re: battery cables

Another vote for crimp.

I would note that outside of boating I cannot remember anyone use or talk about anything other than crimp for high amperage connections. I am not claiming there are none, just that everyone I have seen is crimped.

One argument I have heard for solder is that it gives you an airtight connection that keeps the wire from developing corrosion. While that has some merit you can achieve the same effect by making sure you seal the connection with a good heat shrink.

After all is said and done, the more important factor to having a good connection is not crimp vs. solder. It is doing it right. A good crimp is better than a bad solder, and visa-versa.

While I favor crimp, make sure you do it right, with good crimpers, and then seal it well.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: battery cables

Check out this place battery cables as they can custom make the cables you need out of marine grade battery cable,,, pretty darn cheap. Send them then measurements for the cables you need, purchase the parts and crimping fee and you'll have them in 2-3 days.

Marine battery cable is better than using welding cable that can corrode and oxidize, though I used welding cable on my boat and sealed the heck out of the connections. Even if you are going to use welding cable, check out that place for the ring terminals as they are tinned and good quality ring terminals,,, add some colored heat shrink tubing to the order as well.

 

[1fishbone]

Re: battery cables

Guess everybody has the right size for crimping ring terminals on welding cabel.
Not a common tool!

tbird, might want to add that onto the bill.

 

[tbird175]

Re: battery cables

Thanks everybody, I will go with crimping and proper sealing.

 

[dingbat]

Re: battery cables

Check out this place battery cables as they can custom make the cables you need out of marine grade battery cable,,, pretty darn cheap. Send them then measurements for the cables you need, purchase the parts and crimping fee and you'll have them in 2-3 days.

I second this place. Can't hardly buy the parts for that price, let alone the labor to assemble them..correctly

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: battery cables

I have had good luck with my homemade custom welding cable / batt cables. Crimp then slather some -Liquid elec tape on the connection

 

[wire2]

Re: battery cables

Many brand name larger crimp connectors have a squirt of anti-oxidant grease in the sleeve portion, protected until use by a plastic plug. The grease keeps oxygen away from the copper wire and aluminum sleeve connection. When using dry connectors, it's a good idea to add some grease, silicone compound or even vaseline, then crimp, to keep corrosion at bay. It will not interfere with current carrying capabilities.

 

[mookieo2]

Re: battery cables

I've been using a set of tractor cables on my 140 johnson for years. $10 at Sears.

 

[JB]

Re: battery cables

Well, how much savings is involved in using un-tinned copper cable and only a mechanical connection?? It could be worse, you could use stiff cables.

My vote is to do it the way top rated boat builders do it. Marine grade, tinned cable with marine grade crimped connections. My personal choice is to very lightly solder the part of the cable enclosed in the crimp but not bled outside of the crimp.

How many threads here deal with replaced starters, batteries and solenoids that weren't broke. . .because of failed cables and/or connections?

Do it as well as it can be done. It is cheap insurance.