CommoChief
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For those who have built or repaired slave cables, what is the best way to attach the lugs to the 2/0 cable? Solder, crimp, or both?
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Building Slave Cable
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m715mike
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Great question for @98G
I used my hydraulic crimp tool made for those big lugs. I had to find thick shrink wrap with the sealing glue inside but it worked easy. I see the reason to use solder as well but i didn't as the lugs were very deep so I had plenty of contact surface with the lug.
I couldn't find a pic of my jump cables but I just did a big 200 amp alternator upgrade in a 59 caddy and used 30 feet of that wire. The ones on the battery are what the hydraulic crimp tool looks like when you're done.
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I use a hydraulic crimper followed by heat shrink. I usually use the tinned copper lugs although I doubt there's really any meaningful difference over bare copper.
The issued cables are 2/0 fine stranded copper. I've made them both heavier and lighter than that, but 2/0 is about all you're going to cram into the issued plugs.
I took a pic of one of the crimps the other day when attaching a lug for a customer -
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CommoChief
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Thanks to everyone for your input. It sounds like the hydraulic crimper is the way to go, so that is what I will do. Now to find a good unit with steel dies rather than aluminum.
thanks again….Bill
thanks again….Bill
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If you don't already have the materials, I can probably make you a set for less than you can make them yourself, especially if you're buying tools to do it with....
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If you are going to make them yourself and want a little added versatility, you can make them with Anderson type plugs near the ends, then make yourself another end with jumper cable clamps or other types of ends. If you have multiple cables you can also then plug them together to make one longer cable.
CommoChief
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I appreciate the offer 98G. I have brand new slave ends and new 2/0 cable so I planned on making a set. I could use the crimpers for other MV related projects but, again, thank you for your offer….Bill
CommoChief
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Nice idea
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Are there different design slave cable end’s where the positive and negative enter opposite sides?
There was a plug used back in the 50s 60s ish the had a different plug but then they changed it to what they use now. There's an adapter that can be used to jump an older truck with a newer one. I have one I can take a pic of if you want.
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No I was referring to the current style plug. Just curios as cougs is opposite of mine and 98gs.
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They do not. They're all the same, not mirror image.
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Externally it doesn't matter as long as they are wired the same for your setup.
My plug ends do appear to be a little different design than the others, but as long as the positive and negative go to the correct place, and we don't mix and match cables that don't have the anderson plugs installed backwards from each other, then it all works.
I'd have preferred to have your style as they appear to be a better design, but as mine were all free I can't say I'm unhappy with them.
My plug ends do appear to be a little different design than the others, but as long as the positive and negative go to the correct place, and we don't mix and match cables that don't have the anderson plugs installed backwards from each other, then it all works.
I'd have preferred to have your style as they appear to be a better design, but as mine were all free I can't say I'm unhappy with them.
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Be careful, would hate to see anybody connect 8,000 amps worth of batteries, fighting each other, polarity reversed, especially at 24 volts!
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The slave plugs and the anderson connectors are both marked. When crimping and assembking them be sure to get it right and then afterwards there's no way to screw it up.
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I just double checked, and looks like all the ones posted here are all assembled the same way and according to the markings, so we could make a pretty long cable if we were all in the same place
I use these crimpers for hooking up generators and doing battery lugs. Hydraulic shouldn't be necessary at 2/0.
Crimpers, for 8 to 250 MCM AWG Copper and 8 to 4/0 Gauge AWG Aluminum
www.mcmaster.com
Crimpers, for 8 to 250 MCM AWG Copper and 8 to 4/0 Gauge AWG Aluminum
McMaster-Carr
McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.
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I have anderson connectors... and a 500' spool of 4/0... we could make the mother of all slave cables...I just double checked, and looks like all the ones posted here are all assembled the same way and according to the markings, so we could make a pretty long cable if we were all in the same place
