Battery/Winch Cables

[kitacooch]

Just wondering if anyone got any backyard tips for crimping connectors onto HD cabling used for winch. Would like to shorten the ones i have, i have the connectors but fell over when was quoted $450 for the crimping tool. Must be a way of using a vice to do the job without butchering it???
Or even better anyone know where to get a cheap crimping tool??
cheers

[thomo.in.a.gq]

hammer and a fat screwdriver.

[krusty182]

Wouldn't recommend trying to do it without crimping the lug properly, it's near impossible to get a satisfactory joint and it is important to get a good joint because of the high current draw of a winch, a bad connection will cause voltage drop (meaning your winch won't be working to it's full capacity) and create heat (possibly enough to start a fire in the worst case) as well as the fact that the joint is subject to a lot of vibration. You don't want a big, unfused cable straight from your battery coming loose and doing some impromptu welding on your car

Drop into a few electrical wholesalers near you, someone should have a crimper to crimp your lugs for hire, or if you're lucky they might let you do your connections on the premises for free.
Otherwise, if you know of any sparkies who do much industrial work, they might have access to one.

Good luck

[daveo]

i got the bloke at battery world to do some when i was setting up a dual batt system, although i did buy the battery there. im sure if you offered them $10 they'd do it.

[ToNkA]

i got the bloke at battery world to do some when i was setting up a dual batt system, although i did buy the battery there. im sure if you offered them $10 they'd do it.

I walked into an auto electrician and he did 4 of them for me for $5 on the spot.

[Ruffy]

Most Good 4x4 shops or auto lekkies should have a pair and be happy to do it for ya, If you were local.........

[nzdarin]

The offer a a few dollars or a few beers should get more auto sparkie's keen for a few minutes work. Make sure you prep it all first so all they need to do is crimp and then it is a real quick job!

Another good idea is to solder and heat shrink then as well. This keeps the joint 100% and keeps all dirt, water etc oud of the connection. You will need a gas torch to get the joint hot enough and it takes a bit of solder as well. Also you want good heat shrink that has the water proog glue/sealant inside it so it sticks as well as shrinks.

[chops]

blowtorch & lots of solder

[gqpete]

blowtorch & lots of solder

don't use solder. proper crimp tool. mate soldered and heated. didn't conect anygood.

[ajsr]

solder works fine as long as you can solder

[96hilux]

I would not just solder them, a bit of heat and vibration and it could let go. If you wont to solder them crimp them first and use heat shrink not tape as the tape will come off with water, dirt and heat.

[MUD80D]

try these

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/BR-NEW-4-70mm-8- ... rms=39%3A1

and


http://cgi.ebay.com.au/CABLE-CRIMPER-10 ... rms=39%3A1

[macca81]

solder doesnt give as good a conection, for a couple of reasons.

solder doesnt conduct electricity as well as what your lugs and cable are generaly made from, and solder will crack from vibrations, and the cable can then work its way loose of an uncrimped lug... your better off crimping it from the start

[me3@neuralfibre.com]

Don't solder. It's a hassle, creates stress points and issues later. I know that doesn't seem sensible, but it's pretty well proven.

Professional crimp is best. Large flat screwdriver side on hammered onto the crimp 3 times is OK.
Biggest thing is to make sure the crimp is the right size. Too big / loose will be problematic. Should be a close fit.

Paul