Which jumper cables

[TVZ]

I need a new set of jumper cables. I'd like for them to be satisfactory for my MF 1726E as well as automobiles. I will get "heavy duty" ones, as I've had experiences where lighter cables did not do the job when needed.

As I understand, 4-gauge is considered "heavy duty", but 1-gauge is even better for "heavy-duty" equipment. I'm not sure what is meant by "heavy-duty equipment". Do you think that 4-gauge will be satisfactory in all situations for my tractor and automobiles? Or should I go with 1-gauge to be safe?

 

[MAX-24-Dean]

I used this comany for all my solar projects and have bought jumper cables from them.
High quality and fast shipping. They will build them how you want them. The twin cable they use has TPE insulation which resist abrasion and oil.

Finer 100% copper stranding so the cable remains flexible.

2 Gauge Battery Jumper Cable Twin Lead Booster Cable - Pure Copper - By the Foot

www.batterycablesusa.com

Battery Jumper Cable Clamps

www.batterycablesusa.com

 

[Roadworthy]

The reason for larger wire is to reduce voltage drop with distance. The length of the cables needs to be considered as well. The voltage drop in the cable is the product of the resistance of the cable multiplied by the current flowing at that time. Any resistance due to corrosion at the battery terminals or the wires attaching the clamp will also drop voltage. The condition of the batteries themselves can also limit current flow. This is really not a simple question but the generic answer would be bigger is generally better. Of course you can always build your own cables out of even bigger wire. Generally welding cable is more flexible than regular stranded cable.

 

[bcp]

I looked for cables a couple of years ago. Almost all I found in stores were aluminum with copper coating. Many stores had no all-copper jumper cables.

The Pros and Cons of Copper-Clad Aluminum Wire | OneMonroe Titan

With its high level of electrical conductivity, as well as its heat-resistant properties, copper is commonly used to make wire. Most electrical wire, in fact, is made of copper. With that said, not all wire is made of solid copper. …

titanwnc.com

Bruce

 

[LouNY]

Any of the twin lead cable on this web site will make better booster cables then most you can buy.
Battery Jumper Cable - 100% Copper Twin Lead Booster Cable


Kind of OK, fairly good to real good, of course 25 feet at $5.86 a foot hurts a bit plus the cost of the 500-800 amp clamps to go with it. I like 25 ft cables for those times when you can't get to the front of a vehicle.

 

[MAX-24-Dean]

Do you think that 4-gauge will be satisfactory in all situations for my tractor and automobiles? Or should I go with 1-gauge to be safe?

4 guage will be fine in my opinion. It is good for 140 amps from the NEC 317 tables for conductor ampacity in free air.

 

[JWR]

You do not need any larger than 2 gage cables. Four gage would do for most cases but 2 is better if you want "heavy duty." Length is an issue most of the times I have needed jumper cables and you need to evaluate what length you need. I would not consider less than 8 ft length and 12ft will be handy. I would not go longer than 12ft because of the voltage drop at high current levels in longer cables. Stay away from aluminum cable which is only a cost advantage and much of that is questionable with the seller being the beneficiary, not you. Whoever above suggested welder cable is right on. If you make up your own cables he is exactly correct that welder cable is a lot more flexible and is made to expect rough use. The clamps should not be taken for granted. Get heavier ones and pay attention to how they connect with the wires.

 

[thclimer]

I had a very nice pair of jumper cables at one time but haven't been able to find them for a while now.

If you bought these clamps how do you attach them to the wire, do you need a special crimping tool?

 

[LouNY]

I had a very nice pair of jumper cables at one time but haven't been able to find them for a while now.

If you bought these clamps how do you attach them to the wire, do you need a special crimping tool?

View attachment 2097998

I beleive that they are using an "open" ring terminal for the cable to lay in which can be closed up with repeated clamping with vise grips or in a vise. My preferred method if I don't have or can't find the right sized crimping tool is my vise (using it as a clamp) and I'll often lay a small pin punch in to get a good solid "crimp" I have also used my press but that is getting into a bit of over kill.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Who needs jumper cables?

 

[MAX-24-Dean]

Just one caution on welding cable, which most welding cable uses EDPM insulation. While it is very abrasion resistant and can take a lot of abuse including being walked on and wheeled carted pulled over it, it is not oil and grease resistant. In fact it is rated as having poor resistance to oil. If you don't have any petroleum products that will come in contact with welding cable it is a very good choice.
The TPE insulation (used in the link) is rated as good for oil resistence and is the prefered type of electrical insulation for this purpose.

2 Gauge Battery Jumper Cable Twin Lead Booster Cable - Pure Copper - By the Foot

www.batterycablesusa.com

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

I had a very nice pair of jumper cables at one time but haven't been able to find them for a while now.

If you bought these clamps how do you attach them to the wire, do you need a special crimping tool?

View attachment 2097998

In picture looks like comes with wire ends. Attaching to copper wire I'd be sure about 3/4" or so insulation stripped off, wire & connectors clean, flux, solder (60/40) "tin" both then solder together. Hammer clamp ends over wire. You want as low resistance, good tight connection possible.
I'd use some dielectric grease, then screwed onto clamp tightly.
The lower the resistance, the better the connection, the more current it can carry.

 

[JWR]

Who needs jumper cables?

What on earth is that? Takes at least two people besides being weird ...

 

[Midniteoyl]

What on earth is that? Takes at least two people besides being weird ...

Couple of troops using their AK's to jumpstart a vehicle

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Fifty years ago I helped a stranded young lady home, both of us driving Chevy Novas (67&70). Her alternator quit...no cables. Bumpers touch & coat hangers + to +. She would go a couple miles on battery, pull over, jump, start, repeat. It took five times but it worked & she got home safely.

 

[ultrarunner]

I bought my cables from this outfit in 1990 and still use them.

Search | Zip's

zips.com

 

[paulsharvey]

I would get 2 or 3 sets of 2 ga jumper cables over 1 set of really good heavy duty.

I've got something very similar to these. I got mine on sale from Amazon.

There are some 2 garage cables, like 16ft reach for around $18 now, with 10% discount and 40% coupon code.

 

[sandman2234]

I got ahold of a bunch of 2-0 welding lead (not #2, but two aught) and made a set of jumper cables using the best clamps I could find. A friend of mine was trying to jump off his pickup from his car using those cheap jumper cables you find in most auto part stores, to no avail. Not enough current getting thru to the dead battery to start it, so I told him to take them off and I went and got mine. His pickup started almost immediately, which is how much difference a good set makes. He asked me where I got them, and I told him I would make him a set. Made his 20 foot long, so he could jump it off even if he had to park the other car behind him.
He passed away, and his Widow wanted me to come help clean out his shed. She gave the jumper cables back to me, so now I have a pair of them.
One drawback, is they are heavy!
David from jax

 

[Hay Dude]

I run this type of jumper cables. One end hard wires to your battery, Anderson plug on the other end. Then a long set of jumper cables to dead battery.

Anderson Plug on truck side

Battery cables stored in side box.

Jumps tractors, vehicles, etc. great!

 

[JWR]

Fifty years ago I helped a stranded young lady home, both of us driving Chevy Novas (67&70). Her alternator quit...no cables. Bumpers touch & coat hangers + to +. She would go a couple miles on battery, pull over, jump, start, repeat. It took five times but it worked & she got home safely.

Now it sounds to me like there must be more interesting details in your rescuing a stranded young lady in distress...