Dual Battery Component Question (cable lugs)

[Boston Mangler]

Curious, what is the ideal terminal for a battery cable made out of?

Copper? Tin? Lead?

I ask because i found a local supplier/liquidator that has bulk of varios materials.

the Tin ones were SUPER cheap and the guy recommended them as the best, kinda odd to me.

Any Opinions or advice? I am getting ready for my dual bat system on the hundo!

 

[PHAEDRUS]

Go to your local welding supply house, They will copper ones in various sizes. Typically they will sell the cable as well, and the really cool tool to crimp the ends on the cable, I still recommend soldering after crimping, then heat shrink over that.
There is a reason Welders use copper lugs, They have the best flow characteristics.
Dave

 

[robmir]

Go to your local welding supply house, They will copper ones in various sizes. Typically they will sell the cable as well, and the really cool tool to crimp the ends on the cable, I still recommend soldering after crimping, then heat shrink over that.
There is a reason Welders use copper lugs, They have the best flow characteristics.
Dave

Yes and no: copper is the best but should be tin or silver coated, if not, it will corrode fast when it's close to the battery.

So the best bet is to soldering it but also tin cover all the exposed areas at the same time and after that, heat shrink over.

And once bolted, spray it with a marine electrical protector coat. There is also marine liquid tape which is applied with the container brush, once dried apply another coat and you will have a perfect (and corrosion free) connection for life.

 

[rtarh2o]

I have a dual battery set-up and think I need a heavier gauge wire between the 2 positive terminals, I am only getting a reading around the halfway point on my gauge. What gauge cable should I use?
Rusty

 

[NLXTACY]

Everything I've read says that in that short distance, 2 to 0 gauge is fine. 00 is a *%^& to bend.

 

[Boston Mangler]

Thanks Guys

 

[dfmorse]

Boston;

Here are some serious connectors for battery stuff.

QuickCable: Products

Here is a pic with some installed.

Battery,Fuse, Winch Project : BattsInstalled

These are a copper alloy and tinned. They use a compression fitting for the flex cable - and they need some strength to tighten them up, best done on the bench. One possible thing to keep in mind is that the size of these connectors will need to be considered when laying out the cable arrangement.

...

 

[450 DUDE]

Tinned copper crimp on terminals

ken

 

[Mike S]

If you use welding cable instead of regular battery cables, you will find it is much more flexible. You can use a larger size and still route it easily. I used 1/0 on my dual batt set-up, with crimped and soldered copper terminals.

 

[Boston Mangler]

Boston;

Here are some serious connectors for battery stuff.

QuickCable: Products

Here is a pic with some installed.

Battery,Fuse, Winch Project : BattsInstalled

These are a copper alloy and tinned. They use a compression fitting for the flex cable - and they need some strength to tighten them up, best done on the bench. One possible thing to keep in mind is that the size of these connectors will need to be considered when laying out the cable arrangement.

...

Great site! Thanks!

 

[619TOY]

Having stumbled across your thread rather late, I probably can't add too much other than the fact that you should use connectors that are sealed as opposed to open on the ends. This should be followed up with heat shrink that contains glue to seal out the elements. The solder element will be debated and you can certainly solder in addition to crimping but I would never solder without crimping first. Solder can't hurt but I see no benefit if the connections are made as I described. Here are the connector's I recommend (and no, I don't know anyone that can get you a deal on them):

 

[Boston Mangler]

Here are the connector's I recommend (and no, I don't know anyone that can get you a deal on them):

Thanks Steve

Those look like the ANCOR ones that West Marine sells. They are what i have used in the past. Work well but big $

 

[619TOY]

Work well but big $

Relative to what? You did understand that I was just joking about getting you a deal on them right? If you'd prefer, here's a link to my buddy's business. It looks like he sells to the public but I've never asked him.tiewraps.com - tie wraps, cable ties