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Posted: 9/3/2016 9:47:06 PM EST
[#1]
Nobody ever wished their cables were either thinner or shorter.
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Posted: 9/3/2016 9:50:08 PM EST
[#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).
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Posted: 9/3/2016 9:50:23 PM EST
[#3]
3/0
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Posted: 9/3/2016 9:51:34 PM EST
[#4]
350MCM welding cable is the only answer.
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Posted: 9/3/2016 9:51:54 PM EST
[#5]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Nobody ever wished their cables were either thinner or shorter. |
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Posted: 9/3/2016 9:52:02 PM EST
[#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.
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Posted: 9/3/2016 9:53:14 PM EST
[#7]
Good terminal clamps are probably more important than wire size. JMHO
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Posted: 9/3/2016 9:54:25 PM EST
[#8]
I have a set that I made years ago using 2/0, about 15ft long. They work really well, I have jumped 3/4 ton cargo vans with a Neon with no trouble (and that battery with very dead batteries, not just needing a little boost). I actually used them to Jump off a Towncar that had no battery at all in it, and it started right up.
No waiting, rarely even need a high idle. |
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Posted: 9/3/2016 9:56:06 PM EST
[#9]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
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 |
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Posted: 9/3/2016 9:57:05 PM EST
[#10]
I have some 1/0 cables . I have owned them since 1987
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Posted: 9/3/2016 9:58:13 PM EST
[#11]
I bought this and I'm very happy with the product.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00LIB7O68/ref=pd_aw_fbt_328_img_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=4T03CXDVZTXJ62WC8RAP |
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Posted: 9/3/2016 9:59:19 PM EST
[#12]
Everything is bigger on arf
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Posted: 9/3/2016 10:04:14 PM EST
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Why stop at 350 when I have some 500 mcm laying around hell it only weighs 2 pounds per foot Quote HistoryQuoted:
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. 
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Posted: 9/3/2016 10:06:05 PM EST
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
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. |
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Posted: 9/3/2016 10:07:49 PM EST
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I bought this and I'm very happy with the product. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00LIB7O68/ref=pd_aw_fbt_328_img_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=4T03CXDVZTXJ62WC8RAP 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. |
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Posted: 9/3/2016 10:20:00 PM EST
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I agree. Even my Warn 12k lb winch only requires #2 cables, and it draws a decent amount of current. Quote HistoryQuoted:
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 |
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Posted: 9/3/2016 10:26:44 PM EST
[#17]
When I was in High School I jumped a car with speaker wire 18ga
It got hot I should have used bigger wire 
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Posted: 9/3/2016 10:30:28 PM EST
[#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.
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Posted: 9/3/2016 10:36:12 PM EST
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Meh I work in substations I could round up some million if you'd like. Quote HistoryQuoted:
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. 
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Posted: 9/3/2016 10:41:00 PM EST
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
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. 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.
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Posted: 9/3/2016 10:41:12 PM EST
[#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. |
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Posted: 9/3/2016 10:41:52 PM EST
[#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. |
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Posted: 9/3/2016 10:43:12 PM EST
[#23]
Let us know when your clamp contact exceeds your wire diameter.
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Posted: 9/3/2016 10:50:37 PM EST
[#24]
0/0 and start it RFN.
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Posted: 9/3/2016 10:52:33 PM EST
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Let us know when your clamp contact exceeds your wire diameter. In that case, he should be fine with 12AWG. |
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Posted: 9/3/2016 11:38:44 PM EST
[#26]
Jumper cables are old school now with all the little battery jump packs that kick ass and charge your phone too.
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Posted: 9/3/2016 11:52:54 PM EST
[#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. |
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Posted: 9/3/2016 11:57:38 PM EST
[#28]
I have two 20' sets of jumper cables. One is a Craftsman and one is from Eastwood and they are both 2 gauge.
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Posted: 9/4/2016 12:12:43 AM EST
[#29]
FPNI
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Nobody ever wished their cables were either thinner or shorter. |
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Posted: 9/4/2016 12:32:48 AM EST
[#30]
One more vote for #2, although those 500 MCM cables would be impressive if they were stored in a Yeti cooler.
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Posted: 9/4/2016 12:42:51 AM EST
[#31]
Hot damn, welding cable is expensive. Get a cheapie set of HF jumper cables and just keep your battery charged and cables clean.
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Posted: 9/4/2016 1:03:18 AM EST
[#32]
because it has a short duty cycle 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. 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. |
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Posted: 9/4/2016 1:06:36 AM EST
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted: One more vote for #2, although those 500 MCM cables would be impressive if they were stored in a Yeti cooler. another vote for #2 |
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Posted: 9/4/2016 1:46:09 AM EST
[#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. |
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Posted: 9/4/2016 1:50:53 AM EST
[#35]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Nobody ever wished their cables were either thinner or shorter. Boom |
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Posted: 9/4/2016 1:51:40 AM EST
[#36]
Just use some speaker wire.
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Posted: 9/4/2016 8:27:06 AM EST
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
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. 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. |
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Posted: 9/4/2016 8:33:18 AM EST
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
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 |
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Posted: 9/4/2016 8:40:54 AM EST
[#39]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Nobody ever wished their cables were either thinner or shorter. FPNI. |
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Posted: 9/4/2016 8:51:31 AM EST
[#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 |
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Posted: 9/4/2016 8:56:02 AM EST
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Nobody ever wished their cables were either thinner or shorter. Among other things. 
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Posted: 9/4/2016 9:00:01 AM EST
[#42]
Quote HistoryQuoted: 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 Quote HistoryQuoted: 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 |
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Posted: 9/4/2016 9:06:05 AM EST
[#43]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Insulation that stays flexible when cold is just as important as wire size. Quote HistoryQuoted:
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 Which is why you want a rubber jacket, not vinyl. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Posted: 9/4/2016 9:17:10 AM EST
[#44]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Good terminal clamps are probably more important than wire size. JMHO |
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Posted: 9/4/2016 9:29:37 AM EST
[#45]
I also like the quick connect type booster cable set ups I have seen on fleet vehicles, two vehicles equipped with those would allow you to jump one off without ever raising a hood.
I have thought hard about putting those on the vehicles my family uses most, and keeping a second quick connect to regular clamp cable for vehicles other vehicles. |
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Posted: 9/4/2016 9:30:15 AM EST
[#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. |
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Posted: 9/4/2016 9:32:35 AM EST
[#47]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Good terminal clamps are probably more important than wire size. JMHO Jumped in to say this. Get the parrot jaw type. |
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Posted: 9/4/2016 9:33:51 AM EST
[#48]
they should be as big as the slave cables the military uses.... ( weigh about 50+ lbs )
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Posted: 9/4/2016 9:35:10 AM EST
[#49]
My truck and my truck shop uses these:
https://www.lawsonproducts.com/lawson/Jumper-Cables-20-Length/10107.lp |
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Posted: 9/4/2016 9:40:29 AM EST
[#50]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
because it has a short duty cycle Quote HistoryQuoted:
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 
You don't off-road do you? If it takes 3 seconds to jump a car you're doing it wrong. If it takes 5 minutes to winch your Jeep you didn't really need it. I use a set of #4 jumper cables. They work fine. You connect the charging vehicle to the vehicle with the dead battery and wait. The fresh battery and charging system charges the dead one. When actually going to start the dead vehicle most of the power comes from it's own battery and some from the donor battery via the cables. |
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