After reading the posts about grounding and battery cables, someone mentioned that the always make theri own. I wanna see it. The parts you use, the cable, the fittings, how to solder them in, etc. I'm getting ready to run the battery cables in my Merc. Thanks.
Its no big deal. Just get the proper size cable - if you want real heavy cable go to a welding supply shop and they should have what you need. I will probably get some comments on this, but I found 1/0 wire should be big enough. 1/0 is heavier than 1.Even JC Whitney sells heavy cable. Lugs can be bought at a electrical supply house-again JC Whitney also sell these.. Soldering is no big deal. Use silver solder (this is for electrical work). Stick the cable in the lug (trim off the insulation first). Heat up the lug (you will also heat up the wires at the same time) with a regular torch or one of those Bernz O Matic torches enough so when you touch the solder to the wires going into the lug it melts. Like doing plumbing work, the solder will "wick" into the lug and wires. Make sure you get the solder all the way around. Finish off with a piece of shrink tubing on the lug and wire and you are all done. You might fry a little of the insulation right near the lug when heating but it should be minimal as long as you don't put the torch right near or on the insulation.
Thanks, Paul. Thats exactly what I was looking for. Consice, informative and to the point. Now I feel like I can do it.
if you do solder them try not to get the wire too hot sometimes it will cause briddleness in the wire keep the heat towards the tip of the lug it will help in the wicking process you could also go to a truck shop and get the lugs that have a kind of compersion joint in them. if you go this route make sure to get some dielictric grease to put on the end of the wire
Make sure you put the shrink tubing on first though Any good parts store should sell some narly big-rig braided ground straps.
Use a rosin core solder (not acid core). This will clean the crap off of your lug and wire and you will get a good clean joint. It's also a good idea to "tin" the 2 pieces before you solder them together. This means to dip the part in "tinning flux", and then heat up the part (or wire) with a soldering iron. When the flux starts boiling, touch the (non rosin)solder to the part, NOT THE IRON! If the solder doesn't melt, the part is not hot enough! to avoid burning the insulation keep the wire pointed upwards. Then heat up the lug and push in the wire. This will get them to stick together quickly and FULLY. Another option is to put the lug in a vice and fill the terminal end with solder. Keeping the terminal hot, and the solder liquid, dip the wire in flux and the push it SLOWLY into the terminal. Watch for the solder to absorb into the wire. All supplies (including heavy guage cable) are available at Home Repot in the electrical or plumbing departments.
Where do I get the new ends for the battery terminal? You know, the clamp that goes on the batt posts. I can't imagine that an electrical supply house would have car cable ends like that.
[ QUOTE ] Where do I get the new ends for the battery terminal? [/ QUOTE ] I used to get all my ends - both terminal & lug - at NAPA. I haven't had to make a set for years
battery posts: Places to look - head to your nearest auto parts store. - head to your nearest auto sound store. - Check ebay under battery posts/car audio accessories - partsexpress.com - ev-parts.com - or make one yourself. Garth
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