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Posted: 9/3/2016 10:45:29 PM EDT
I am going to be making a set of jumper cables out of welding cable 15 to 20 feet long. Help me decide if I want 1/0 or 2/0 cable 99 percent of the time it will be for 12 volt cars and pick-ups
Link Posted: 9/3/2016 10:47:06 PM EDT
[#1]
Nobody ever wished their cables were either thinner or shorter.
Link Posted: 9/3/2016 10:50:08 PM EDT
[#2]
At only 15-20', 1/0 or 2/0 really is likely overkill (and a lot of unnecessary weight).  I made a couple 20' sets out of #2 cable, and its worked fine for my needs (diesel trucks, tractors, and regular gas vehicles).
Link Posted: 9/3/2016 10:50:23 PM EDT
[#3]
3/0
Link Posted: 9/3/2016 10:51:34 PM EDT
[#4]
350MCM welding cable is the only answer.
Link Posted: 9/3/2016 10:51:54 PM EDT
[#5]
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Quoted:
Nobody ever wished their cables were either thinner or shorter.
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Link Posted: 9/3/2016 10:52:02 PM EDT
[#6]
Lol, you don't want anything with a /0 in the size, especially at 15-20 feet in length. #2 AWG will handle anything that needs to be done on 12 or 24v systems down to sub-zero temps.
Link Posted: 9/3/2016 10:53:14 PM EDT
[#7]
Good terminal clamps are probably more important than wire size. JMHO
Link Posted: 9/3/2016 10:54:25 PM EDT
[#8]
Link Posted: 9/3/2016 10:56:06 PM EDT
[#9]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
350MCM welding cable is the only answer.
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Why stop at 350 when I have some 500 mcm laying around hell it only weighs 2 pounds per foot
Link Posted: 9/3/2016 10:57:05 PM EDT
[#10]
I have some 1/0 cables . I have owned them since 1987
Link Posted: 9/3/2016 10:58:13 PM EDT
[#11]
Link Posted: 9/3/2016 10:59:19 PM EDT
[#12]
Everything is bigger on arf
Link Posted: 9/3/2016 11:04:14 PM EDT
[#13]
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Quoted:



Why stop at 350 when I have some 500 mcm laying around hell it only weighs 2 pounds per foot
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Quoted:
Quoted:
350MCM welding cable is the only answer.



Why stop at 350 when I have some 500 mcm laying around hell it only weighs 2 pounds per foot


Meh I work in substations I could round up some million if you'd like.
Link Posted: 9/3/2016 11:06:05 PM EDT
[#14]
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Quoted:
Good terminal clamps are probably more important than wire size. JMHO
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I agree.  

Even my Warn 12k lb winch only requires #2 cables, and it draws a decent amount of current.
Link Posted: 9/3/2016 11:07:49 PM EDT
[#15]
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Add two pairs of Deka or Standard Motor Products heavy duty parrot's beak clamps and this will do anything you need to do. When you attach the terminals, crimp (and not with a half-assed crimper), then solder.

Edited for punctuation. Fuck auto-correct.
Link Posted: 9/3/2016 11:20:00 PM EDT
[#16]
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Quoted:


I agree.  

Even my Warn 12k lb winch only requires #2 cables, and it draws a decent amount of current.
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Good terminal clamps are probably more important than wire size. JMHO


I agree.  

Even my Warn 12k lb winch only requires #2 cables, and it draws a decent amount of current.




because it has a short duty cycle
Link Posted: 9/3/2016 11:26:44 PM EDT
[#17]
When I was in High School I jumped a car with speaker wire 18ga
It got hot
I should have used bigger wire
Link Posted: 9/3/2016 11:30:28 PM EDT
[#18]
Look at how thick the cables are that go from the battery to the starter motor, any bigger than that and it's a waste of cable.
Link Posted: 9/3/2016 11:36:12 PM EDT
[#19]
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Quoted:


Meh I work in substations I could round up some million if you'd like.
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Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
350MCM welding cable is the only answer.



Why stop at 350 when I have some 500 mcm laying around hell it only weighs 2 pounds per foot


Meh I work in substations I could round up some million if you'd like.


Get a work out whilst jumping off a stranded motorist.
Link Posted: 9/3/2016 11:41:00 PM EDT
[#20]
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Quoted:
Look at how thick the cables are that go from the battery to the starter motor, any bigger than that and it's a waste of cable.
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There's a lot more voltage drop on a 40' circuit than there is on the 6 or 8 feet that's under your hood.
Link Posted: 9/3/2016 11:41:12 PM EDT
[#21]
cousin worked at Miller Elec. a few years back, made me a set using welding cable.
Another benefit of welding cable is it is much more flexible.
Link Posted: 9/3/2016 11:41:52 PM EDT
[#22]
cousin worked at Miller Elec. a few years back, made me a set using welding cable.
Another benefit of welding cable is it is much more flexible.
Link Posted: 9/3/2016 11:43:12 PM EDT
[#23]
Let us know when your clamp contact exceeds your wire diameter.
Link Posted: 9/3/2016 11:50:37 PM EDT
[#24]
0/0 and start it RFN.
Link Posted: 9/3/2016 11:52:33 PM EDT
[#25]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Let us know when your clamp contact exceeds your wire diameter.
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In that case, he should be fine with 12AWG.
Link Posted: 9/4/2016 12:38:44 AM EDT
[#26]
Jumper cables are old school now with all the little battery jump packs that kick ass and charge your phone too.
Link Posted: 9/4/2016 12:52:54 AM EDT
[#27]
I have a homemade set that are, hell, I don't know what gauge.
Each wire is about as big around as a garden hose. They are not light.

They were probably made in the 1960s and still work, not gonna carry them around in the back of my truck though.
Link Posted: 9/4/2016 12:57:38 AM EDT
[#28]
I have two 20' sets of jumper cables. One is a Craftsman and one is from Eastwood and they are both 2 gauge.
Link Posted: 9/4/2016 1:12:43 AM EDT
[#29]
FPNI

Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Nobody ever wished their cables were either thinner or shorter.
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Link Posted: 9/4/2016 1:32:48 AM EDT
[#30]
One more vote for #2, although those 500 MCM cables would be impressive if they were stored in a Yeti cooler.
Link Posted: 9/4/2016 1:42:51 AM EDT
[#31]
Hot damn, welding cable is expensive. Get a cheapie set of HF jumper cables and just keep your battery charged and cables clean.
Link Posted: 9/4/2016 2:03:18 AM EDT
[#32]
because it has a short duty cycle
View Quote


How long do you expect to be jumping off a car battery?  I can't imagine its longer than a typical winch pull....

Hot damn, welding cable is expensive.
View Quote


Check with your local welding supply store (especially if they rent stick machines).  A lot of times they will have damaged leads they have taken off machines, and you can usually get them cheap.  I picked up around 35-40' of cable recently for less than $1/foot, just make sure you check the jacket well for breaks or cuts.
Link Posted: 9/4/2016 2:06:36 AM EDT
[#33]
Link Posted: 9/4/2016 2:46:09 AM EDT
[#34]
Mine are Anaconda black 1/0 welding cable with 500 amp parrot clamps, 35 feet long. They're heavy, but I can make sweet electron love to tandem axle dumptrucks from the back, and there is virtually no charge time. Clamp on and go.
 





I can also hit the long bed duallys from behind in parking lots and around obstacles without trying to park right on top of them.


 



I soldered and shrink tubed the copper lugs, then I soldered the lugs to the clamps.
Link Posted: 9/4/2016 2:50:53 AM EDT
[#35]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Nobody ever wished their cables were either thinner or shorter.
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Boom
Link Posted: 9/4/2016 2:51:40 AM EDT
[#36]
Just use some speaker wire.
Link Posted: 9/4/2016 9:27:06 AM EDT
[#37]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Look at how thick the cables are that go from the battery to the starter motor, any bigger than that and it's a waste of cable.
View Quote


Yeah right try that some time there is nothing worst than trying to jump off a car with a undersized cables. The difference  is that the starter is a short distance away and only needs power for a very short amount of time. Jumping of a dead battery may require several minutes passing enough current to get the dead car going.
Link Posted: 9/4/2016 9:33:18 AM EDT
[#38]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Hot damn, welding cable is expensive. Get a cheapie set of HF jumper cables and just keep your battery charged and cables clean.
View Quote




I was looking at this cable that is 15 feet long and comes with a red and black.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/30-EXCELENE-1-0-AWG-WELDING-BATTERY-CABLE-15-RED-15-BLACK-600V-MADE-IN-USA-/291811379245?hash=item43f150482d:g:GvQAAOSwEjFXe9Xm
Link Posted: 9/4/2016 9:40:54 AM EDT
[#39]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Nobody ever wished their cables were either thinner or shorter.
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FPNI.
Link Posted: 9/4/2016 9:51:31 AM EDT
[#40]
I've got a set of the energizer cables that are about 26' long with the quick connector mounted under my front plate.
they are 1 gauge and built like a tank
Link Posted: 9/4/2016 9:56:02 AM EDT
[#41]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Nobody ever wished their cables were either thinner or shorter.
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Among other things.

Link Posted: 9/4/2016 10:00:01 AM EDT
[#42]

Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
I was looking at this cable that is 15 feet long and comes with a red and black.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/30-EXCELENE-1-0-AWG-WELDING-BATTERY-CABLE-15-RED-15-BLACK-600V-MADE-IN-USA-/291811379245?hash=item43f150482d:g:GvQAAOSwEjFXe9Xm

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Quoted:



Quoted:

Hot damn, welding cable is expensive. Get a cheapie set of HF jumper cables and just keep your battery charged and cables clean.

I was looking at this cable that is 15 feet long and comes with a red and black.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/30-EXCELENE-1-0-AWG-WELDING-BATTERY-CABLE-15-RED-15-BLACK-600V-MADE-IN-USA-/291811379245?hash=item43f150482d:g:GvQAAOSwEjFXe9Xm

Insulation that stays flexible when cold is just as important as wire size.

 
Link Posted: 9/4/2016 10:06:05 AM EDT
[#43]
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Quoted:
Insulation that stays flexible when cold is just as important as wire size.  
View Quote View All Quotes
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Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Hot damn, welding cable is expensive. Get a cheapie set of HF jumper cables and just keep your battery charged and cables clean.




I was looking at this cable that is 15 feet long and comes with a red and black.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/30-EXCELENE-1-0-AWG-WELDING-BATTERY-CABLE-15-RED-15-BLACK-600V-MADE-IN-USA-/291811379245?hash=item43f150482d:g:GvQAAOSwEjFXe9Xm
Insulation that stays flexible when cold is just as important as wire size.  

Which is why you want a rubber jacket, not vinyl.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile
Link Posted: 9/4/2016 10:17:10 AM EDT
[#44]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Good terminal clamps are probably more important than wire size. JMHO
View Quote

Link Posted: 9/4/2016 10:29:37 AM EDT
[#45]
Link Posted: 9/4/2016 10:30:15 AM EDT
[#46]
Fucker jumper cables.  I use a jump pack.  I have 3 of these around the shop.


You get battery voltage before and after the truck/boat whatever is running as well.
Link Posted: 9/4/2016 10:32:35 AM EDT
[#47]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Good terminal clamps are probably more important than wire size. JMHO
View Quote


Jumped in to say this. Get the parrot jaw type.

Link Posted: 9/4/2016 10:33:51 AM EDT
[#48]
they should be as big as the slave cables the military uses.... ( weigh about 50+ lbs )
Link Posted: 9/4/2016 10:35:10 AM EDT
[#49]
My truck and my truck shop uses these:

https://www.lawsonproducts.com/lawson/Jumper-Cables-20-Length/10107.lp
Link Posted: 9/4/2016 10:40:29 AM EDT
[#50]
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