using welding cable for battery cables ?

Is this common practice ?

I installed a red-top Optima a month ago and I want to upgrade my cables from 4 gauge to 2 gauge, primarily to handle the heavier current to the winch, and also to be able to custom cut for length. The welding cable is WAY cheaper than raw Ancor 2 gauge that I can get at the marine store...(anything at a marine store is at least twice as expensive as anywhere else).

Also, currently (no pun intended!) my battery is hooked up to the side terminals. Should I run the new cables to the same location or are there advantages to using the top terminals ? Thanks !

 

It is a big debate but IIRC the side posts really are not ment for running the vehical on. Do you have a winch? because I know that you are supposed to use the topposts for running a winch since it draws so much current for so long.

 

Sharp pictures of a squeaky clean Jeep. Have you ever taken it off road?

 

Back in the 80's when I bought her, we used to do a lot of four wheelin' and I got stuck a few times, hence the winch and homemade nerf bars.

Its been a while since I've played in the dirt, but maybe this spring I'll take her up in the North Georgia mountains to run some of the USFS roads......

 

http://earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5429&highlight=battery+cables

 

jpflat2a

thanks for the link !!

Think I'll go for the top post set-up for the starting circuit and winch and use the side post for accessories........Thanks !!

Anybody had good/bad experiences with welding cable ?

 

Used it many times, works great. Like tumbleweed said, solder the ends, and it is worth getting some large shrink wrap to put over the connections to keep moisture out.

 

Don't solder the ends, you'll never do an adequate job with cable that big. A proper crimp, which you should be able to get at your local full service parts store, is more than adequate. You can buy crimpers that you set with a hammer that work very well, too.

Welding cable makes great battery cables. It's flexible and very abrasion resistant.

 

Windrock? we can convoy up...

 

If your worried about corrosion slip a piece of heat shrink tubing over it, use the kind with the glue inside.

 

Welding cable is good stuff. The finer stands will carry much more current that the heavier strands, and it's more flexible. Crimp and solder is the best connection, then cover the joint with good heatshrink tubing.

 

:iagree: x2

 

just an update on the latest project

Bought a 25' roll of Radnor Flex-a-prene #2 welding cable (64003503)from a local company called Airgas...cost $38.97... MUCH cheaper than any other source of #2 battery cable. Also picked up some cable lugs for the finished ends.

Used all but five feet rewiring my positive and negative battery feeds and runs for the Warn winch. The lugs I purchased were an extremely snug fit for the bare wire and I first tried my soldering iron with some electrical solder. Just too big of a lug for the iron to handle and the solder never melted. Used a propane torch to heat the lug and that did the trick. After cooling, wire brushed the lug, wrapped a few inches of electrical tape around the joint and then heated a few inches of adhesive-lined shrink tubing over that. All six cables came out great and were just the length required. This is a great way to go if your cables are undersized or just need replacing.

By the way....#2 is heavy stuff, the easiest and cleanest way I found to cut it was a dremel with a cutoff wheel. Made a nice smooth cut that fit perfectly into the Radnor 64002141 lug.Thanks for all the advice....this is a GREAT resource for DIY projects !!