Where do you get your battery cables?
 

I need new battery cables for my 982 and other than a dealer, no one around here has them. I think the dealer is a little steep for what you get. The local Carquest and Napa doesn't carry cables for small engine applications and they don't even have the correct wire and connectors to build the cables myself.

Around here, Farm Implement dealers will custom make them up.

I go to NAPA. Sometimes they have the cable I need. If they don't I will buy the wire, ends and shrink tubing that I need and make my own.

Lowes has positive and negative 16" cables boxed together for $8. for our application (with the correct ends for a Lawn & Garden battery).

I make my own.

I normally make my own, but here while back when I was at Rural King they had them there for less than $2.00 (each). I picked up a fist full of them.

:beerchug: Yep, make my own also, I work for a welding company and get my cable at a good price!!!

Do you guys crimp, solder or both? What do you use for a crimper?

Crimp, we have a crimp tool at work and then solder afterwards..

I also crimp and solder. I use a crimping tool. What else would you use to crimp an end on wire? :Unknown:

I meant what kind of crimper. That size of wire and connector requires a heavier duty crimper than I have.

Ya, you need a special crimper the size of lopers. If the automotive places let you down, I would try an electrical supply store or a welding supply store, they should have everything to make the cables.

Bill

Then you need to buy one the right size.

I kind of thought that would be an obvious thing....... :bigthink:

The last one's I did I slid shrink tube up the wire then soldered the ends on and took a chisel and hammer to "crimp". Slid the shrink tube down, done deal...
I ain't buying a crimp tool for the little bit I would use it.:bigthink: Just to make sure everything was tight, put one end in the vise and visegrip on the other and pulled, going nowhere...

This is the one that I bought;

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MKIQ1S/...I2UR9A46TEFMW9


I buy my cable at the local marine supply house, pre tinned cable and ends.

The motorhome I pulled the engine out of yesterday has batt cables ran from one end to the other and back again. So I will be stripping it all out and saving it to build new cables. Harbor Freight has a nice ratcheting crimper for around 10$. I bought one and its built better than alot of their other stuff. If need be I can post a pic. Hammer and punch/dull chisell will work just as well as long as your not too heavy handed.

I use a hammer and punch to crimp the big stuff too just fine.
Before I solder though.

Found a place that has both pre-made cables to fit our applications and they have a hydraulic crimper that isn't too high priced. I think I'll just order some cables for now, after I have verified the length and hole size for my 982.

Pos battery cable

Neg battery cable

I think your making this way more complicated than necessary.

It's just cable and wire ends. Sold anywhere where parts are sold. If you don't have a crimper, like the guys said, pliers, vice, hammer and punch.... shoot, most NAPA stores will make them for you if necessary. Plus, if all else fails, most all are still available from CCC. :Unknown:

When I make battery cables I just go to the local stereo shop and buy the heavy guage wire by the foot, they also have the proper ends there as well.

Jon,
The local Napa doesn't have the wire and correct ends on hand (only car stuff and can't trust them to order the right stuff anymore) and CARQUEST is a joke around here. The only farm stores we have to choose from are Tractor Supply and Orschlen, they don't have the right cables or parts and it's 40 mi. to the nearest one.

The purpose here is to get away from the expense of CCC cables, which would be over $30 for 2 1ft. cables and to find a less expensive source for ready made or components to build my own. Ordered online is the way to go if you live around here I guess. I think Temco is going to be where I just buy the cables pre made. I can get 5 cables with correct ends for $16.40. I value what little time I have too much to build my own when I can buy them for that price.

Also, adding to the expense of the CCC cables is the 106mi. round trip. I have a dealer that is closer, but he just wants to sell new mowers.

I have used these ends a few times and they work alright.
I replace the screw with an allen socket set screw for more torque-ability.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#6923k63/=11cb80m

http://images1.mcmaster.com/mvA/cont...ver=1344427160