quote:

For best conductivity go with the cable that have the most smallest strands bundled,....like a welding cable wire.

I just had a conversation with a buddy today about this. He did his last build using 2/0 and went on to say NOT to use the solder terminals I like because the lead actually makes your fine strand wire become essentially solid core. Not sure of the actual science behind this as I'm no electrical engineer, but his explanation made sense when he told me.

Anyone make any sense of that

These are the ones I've used in the past, solder loaded...…... Nice and neat and impossible to separate.
https://www.mcmaster.com/battery-terminals

I have been told not to solder because it creates a rigid spot in the wire and that will cause it to break there if it vibrates or flex’s much at that point. I just crimp and heat shrink. On my small wires I used double crimp lugs that have a collar that crimps onto the insulation also, of those are good enough for a nuclear power plant then good enough for me.

Soldering is best electrically, but can make the connection brittle. Crimps are fine in most applications, but there's a catch. Crimp pressure must be correct for the connector/wire used. Too loose and you have a poor connection, too tight and you can break the wires resulting in a bad connection again...pick your poison. I use a crimp tool with adjustable crimp pressure. Should be just tight enough to securely hold the wire, but not smash it...

For cabling in my dragster I use #4 welding cable. More than capable of handling the amperage requirements of my car, is highly flexible, and doesn't weigh a ton....I was able to get a chunk off the end of the reel at my welding supply store, oddball length for about half price....I think it was something like $60ish and I got 41'

I have probably done everything wrong with cable ends but it has never bit me.

For years we crimped and then filled any voids with solder. We even for a while filled the terminal with solder then inserted the cable and crimped quickly. LOL. Good times!

Recently I have used the screw down cable end clamps that you cinch by tightening. So far they have worked well.

quote:

Originally posted by Bucky:


Recently I have used the screw down cable end clamps that you cinch by tightening. So far they have worked well.

I had one of those come loose a few years ago, that's when I bought that crimper I posted earlier in the thread, ain't nothing coming loose with that thing

Just bought 15" 1/0 welding cable from the local welding supply house. $40.50. Was recommended by my brother who is an electrical applications engineer with Gruman-Northrup at NASA. As for#6 wire, ordered WindyNation thru Amazon, 25" for $28.00 includes shipping (Prime Member). Also recommended. Hope this helps.

Compression fittings are best for endurance and conductivity. A Battery business can handle that for you.

https://weldingsupply.com/cgi-...UM::1::OR:304-1270UF

I have had this on my car for many years. High strand, very flexible, 1/0 welding cable. $2.75 a foot.

It's hard to beat the welding cables for battery cables. If you need a little smaller cable the welding cable ground cable is just that.

1/0 - 50ft $40 Amazon

And normally the welder ground wire is #2 strand for those that are weight conscience .

quote:

Originally posted by DragRaceResults:


1/0 - 50ft $40 Amazon

That is cheaper because it is copper clad aluminum.