Battery cables...solder or crimp? - Lateral-g Forums

DRJDVM's '69 · #1 04-09-2010, 10:08 AM

I'm planning on making some battery cables this weekend....never done it before.

I was planning on soldering the ends........ so do I use plain "regular" solder that you use for typical electrical stuff or is there something else I should use?

I was planning on doing the "place the end in the vise..... put some solder in....heat it up with a torch until it melts...shove the wire in" technique...... any tips?

I've also read on some boards that its better to crimp them than solder....heat etc melting the solder etc..... any opinions?

SLO_Z28 · #2 04-09-2010, 10:17 AM

Its better to solder. Use 60/40 on stuff like that, and there is a noticeable quality difference between the cheap stuff and decent stuff, so stay away from Harbor Freight for the solder and wire. I personally like the insulator on the painless wiring kit for battery cables.

You have a lot more to worry about than the connection coming loose if the cable gets hot enough to melt solder, I couldn't give you an exact temperature, but it would be more than hot enough to burn even a good insulator.

**XcYZ** · #3 04-09-2010, 10:31 AM

I crimped mine. I borrowed a set of massive crimpers from work that has interchangeable jaw inserts. I figured if the crimps work with high power/ampacity cabling at work, it would be good enough for a car battery.

DRJDVM's '69 · #4 04-09-2010, 12:44 PM

The other issue I have with crimping them.... I dont have access to the proper type of crimper

... I dont want to buy a single application tool for a probable one time deal....

96z28ss · #5 04-09-2010, 01:40 PM

is it for the camaro?
then it would be a 2 use tool cause you got a cuda also.
Just trying to help

DRJDVM's '69 · #6 04-09-2010, 02:05 PM

No its for the Cuda.....
I'm hooking up the battery, so I can do some basic stuff, like run the air ride compressor..... I'm really only making the ground cable and a short positive lead hooked to a cut off switch.

I could do some very basic "temporary" stuff , but I figured I would at least make the final ground cable.

elitecustombody · #7 04-10-2010, 03:51 PM

I wouldn't do either, I would buy a distribution block,there are countless versions and alot of them are very nice pieces

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trk...All-Categories

MarkM66 · #8 04-10-2010, 04:33 PM

I beat flat with a hammer.

JRouche · #9 04-10-2010, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkM66

I beat flat with a hammer.

YEAH!!! Now thats a home grown terminal end. I like!! Some extra heat shrink is needed to keep the sharp edges of the terminal from cutting through. But heck. Why use heat shrink. A roll of electrical tape would do the same thing. I love yer idea. Any pics?? I love pics too

I gotta see yer car dude.. Ill bet its pretty sharp

JR

MarkM66 · #10 04-11-2010, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRouche

YEAH!!! Now thats a home grown terminal end. I like!! Some extra heat shrink is needed to keep the sharp edges of the terminal from cutting through. But heck. Why use heat shrink. A roll of electrical tape would do the same thing. I love yer idea. Any pics?? I love pics too

I gotta see yer car dude.. Ill bet its pretty sharp

JR

Hmmm... not sure if you're just kidding, or being an a-hole.