Battery cable crimping
Discussion
Hi Guys, I have an odyssey battery ready to go into my car, I've had it for a while as I keep putting the install off, electricity scares me, however now I think I need to crack on.
I have a junction box to go in the engine bay, & a load of cable, I basically need to crimp some 6mm terminals onto numerous cables, can anyone suggest a site that would supply a decent crimpring tool that would take a battery cable, and the required terminals.
Cheers
I have a junction box to go in the engine bay, & a load of cable, I basically need to crimp some 6mm terminals onto numerous cables, can anyone suggest a site that would supply a decent crimpring tool that would take a battery cable, and the required terminals.
Cheers
The 6mm crimps shouldnt be a problem as you can buy a ratchet crimp tool for these for quite cheap, anything above 16mm starts to get into the bigger crimpers which are pricey. Be carefull with cheap crimpers as often they dont put the required pressure on the lugs,if you can borrow a gas torch you could solder them on.
Edited by ch427 on Friday 28th September 19:01
theshrew said:
Solder would be a better bet mate
Solder went out with the Ark 
with "home equipment" you'll probably melt the cable insulation before you get enough heat to get a good join on 6mm, you get stress in the cable at the point the solder stops and any flux residue will create corrosion.
Properly crimped terminals (correct size for cable and quality crimping tool) are the way to go (all imho).
I have crimped terminals in a vice without problem, then run a bit of solder into them to be sure, just heating the end of the terminal will avoid burning the insulation. You can then cover in heat shrink to tidy the job up nicely. Never had a failure myself.
I am looking at getting a proper crimp tool but I have seen people modifying bolt croppers for the job.
I am looking at getting a proper crimp tool but I have seen people modifying bolt croppers for the job.
steveo3002 said:
wow, that looks lethal!I bought a "battery relocation cable" from a forum, when I undid the electrical tape in the middle section I found this :
Now he'd ran it in his own car for some time, I did think about putting a load more solder on it, taping it up and hiding the mess with tape, but I guess I should do it properly.
Edited by MuZiZZle on Monday 1st October 09:09
Never solder any cables! (There are a FEW exceptions)
Solder is very brittle and provides no support if/when the cable moves.
I also would not advise 'tinning' cables with solder before putting them into connectors.
You need an inline butt splice crimp, the correct size for the cable you are using. If you don't want to buy a crimping tool, are there any friendly electrical contractors near you?
ETA: That connection pictured above is gash as, and liable to fail should any of the cables be put under tension.
Solder is very brittle and provides no support if/when the cable moves.
I also would not advise 'tinning' cables with solder before putting them into connectors.
You need an inline butt splice crimp, the correct size for the cable you are using. If you don't want to buy a crimping tool, are there any friendly electrical contractors near you?
ETA: That connection pictured above is gash as, and liable to fail should any of the cables be put under tension.
Edited by japzap on Monday 1st October 18:26
japzap said:
Never solder any cables! (There are a FEW exceptions)
Solder is very brittle and provides no support if/when the cable moves.
I also would not advise 'tinning' cables with solder before putting them into connectors.
You need an inline butt splice crimp, the correct size for the cable you are using. If you don't want to buy a crimping tool, are there any friendly electrical contractors near you?
ETA: That connection pictured above is gash as, and liable to fail should any of the cables be put under tension.
yeah I realised it was a bit poor as soon as I got the tape off it!Solder is very brittle and provides no support if/when the cable moves.
I also would not advise 'tinning' cables with solder before putting them into connectors.
You need an inline butt splice crimp, the correct size for the cable you are using. If you don't want to buy a crimping tool, are there any friendly electrical contractors near you?
ETA: That connection pictured above is gash as, and liable to fail should any of the cables be put under tension.
Edited by japzap on Monday 1st October 18:26
I might just invest in a decent crimping tool!
MuZiZZle said:
yeah I realised it was a bit poor as soon as I got the tape off it!
I might just invest in a decent crimping tool!
You can get crimpers for either insulated or uninsulated terminals. For the size you're doing I think they will probably be uninsulated but I'd use uninsulated anyway & use heat shrink to insulate. I might just invest in a decent crimping tool!
Gassing Station | Home Mechanics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff