Crimping battery cables- is this OK?

[RubberFrog]

I've used this hammer and chisel method with cables for my car and it worked fine. Will this hold up for marine use? Of course I will use shrink wrap on all 4 ends, not just three.Thanks.<br />George<br />

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[tommays]

Re: Crimping battery cables- is this OK?

i would consider this and emergancy only connection that will not last very long<br /><br />its good that your going to shrink it but with out a good crimp very littel of the wire is going to make good contact with the lug<br /><br /><br />many places that sell the cables and lugs will let you crimp them at there store<br /><br />tommays

 

[vipzach]

Re: Crimping battery cables- is this OK?

I think you're connections look pretty good, and would probly last.....but like tommays said I think using some lugs on them might be better.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Crimping battery cables- is this OK?

You should be able to find one of these for like $25. This one is made by Ancor but I bet you can find something like it at your local autoparts store.<br /><br />

 

[trog100]

Re: Crimping battery cables- is this OK?

i wouldnt like that on my car or my boat.. electrically it looks okay but it lacks mechanical strength..<br /><br />nothing wrong with the method but the wire doesnt go in far enough.. if it went in twice as far it would be okay and never come off.. as it is its not good enough.. a connector like that is designed to be soldered on not crimped..<br /><br />trog100

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Crimping battery cables- is this OK?

now a quick fix if you cant get them crimped better would be to drill a 1/8th hole in the angled part that slopes from the barrel to the flat part. heat well with a propane torch and solder it with 60/40 rosin core solder. remember that the copper must be allowed to heat enough for good solder adhesion. would have been better if the wires had been dipped in a paste flux first. you may still be able to flux the wire. we do a lot of cables and use a compound lever crimper. however its rather pricey for a one boat owner. most NAPA stores have a crimper.most will do it free or for a nominal fee. if its free a 5 dollar tip to the employee is always remembered in the future . but for the most part they dont look bad. if you cannot pull it apart by hand they will work for a bit. nothing lasts forever and salt shortens it more. I have used the same method wiyh no problems in a pinch. sometimes 100 miles from the shop ya do what ya have to do.

 

[Don S]

Re: Crimping battery cables- is this OK?

I'm with rodbolt, solder it and it should be fine for years.<br />Every cable I make is crimped and soldered, then covered with heatshrink.