Crimp large wire

Realgun

Realgun

Commander
Joined
Jul 31, 2003
Messages
2,484
I want to make new battery connections and have determined 2 or 1 guage wire would do the job. How do I crimp this to lugs? My crimper does up to 10 gauge only.
 
JB

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: Crimp large wire

Solder it. Then seal with shrink tubing and liquid electrical tape.<br /><br />Good luck. :)
 
Dunaruna

Dunaruna

Admiral
Joined
May 2, 2003
Messages
6,027
Re: Crimp large wire

I tend to disagree JB, crimping a battery lug is crucial IMO. I like to solder and crimp and then cover with shrink tube. Before I had a tool similar to this <br /><br />
bigcrimper.jpg
<br /><br />I would use the workbench vise and a thin screwdriver to form the crimp.<br /><br />Aldo
 
1

18rabbit

Captain
Joined
Nov 14, 2003
Messages
3,202
Re: Crimp large wire

Personally, I go down to my local electrical parts recycler with cable and lugs in hand and use their crimper, free. :) <br /><br />Other than that, see Aldo's post above. Or, JB’s solder idea will work, too, since you’re doing battery cables. The length of the soldered cable should be 1-1/2 times the diameter if the conductor. AWG 2 has a diam of 0.292 in; AWG 1 has a diam of 0.332 in. Suggest using AWG 1 and solder 1/2 inch of cable.
 
C

crab bait

Captain
Joined
Feb 5, 2002
Messages
3,831
Re: Crimp large wire

i done it..<br /><br />put lug on wire..<br /><br />put it in a metal jaw vise..<br /><br />take a 1/4 hex head bolt an put it on the lug .. hex head 'point' against the lug <br />while using the bolt shank as a handle..<br /><br />compress the vise an push hex point into the lug.. <br /><br />repeat if nessisarry..<br /><br />then solder up..
 
jlinder

jlinder

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jul 5, 2004
Messages
1,086
Re: Crimp large wire

Caution about solder on the battery lug. I have seen them get very hot it the connection between the battery and lug is bad.<br /><br />I would be concerned that the solder would melt, and the wire would come free.<br /><br />A good clean crimp is best. (Please, I don't want to start another crimp vs. solder war.)
 
Realgun

Realgun

Commander
Joined
Jul 31, 2003
Messages
2,484
Re: Crimp large wire

i done it..<br /><br />put lug on wire..<br /><br />put it in a metal jaw vise..<br /><br />take a 1/4 hex head bolt an put it on the lug .. hex head 'point' against the lug <br />while using the bolt shank as a handle..<br /><br />compress the vise an push hex point into the lug.. <br /><br />repeat if nessisarry..<br />
Click to expand...
I like it! it Cheap and easy. Can I use a C clamp?<br />No solder here if the crimp dont hold I am not going to use it. <br /><br />I like solder BUT it can possibly cause issues.<br />If a crimp did not hold it was a bad crimp.<br /><br />Thats my opinion and I am sticking with it. :D <br /><br />And yes I have an old solder gun my dad gave me.<br />And a torch too. :D
 
B

burp

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 3, 2002
Messages
363
Re: Crimp large wire

Try your local "Batteries Plus" store. My local Batteries Plus store has crimpers which they let me use to crimp the battery terminals which I bought from them onto marine grade battery cable which I bought elsewhere.
 
Realgun

Realgun

Commander
Joined
Jul 31, 2003
Messages
2,484
Re: Crimp large wire

As much as I like to borrow stuff. I will not cause you have to then loan stuff. Or buy stuff.<br />Good idea though.
 
J

jsfinn

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Nov 26, 2003
Messages
1,093
Re: Crimp large wire

I'd crimp then solder. Reason being, if it's on a boat, it's going to corrode. A solder connection might corrode on the outside but won't on the inside. It'll save you troubleshooting later. :) <br /><br />Good luck!
 
C

crab bait

Captain
Joined
Feb 5, 2002
Messages
3,831
Re: Crimp large wire

crimp then solder is the only way to go..<br /><br />just crimp alone,, is not totally sealed cause the only thing holdin' is a now distorted metal.. <br /><br />the lug may not pull off,, but the 'greenies' have not problem gettin' in an settin' up shop..<br /><br />the solder keeps 'em out..
 
jlinder

jlinder

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jul 5, 2004
Messages
1,086
Re: Crimp large wire

If you use the heatshrink with adhesive it will seal airtight. I have used it on wires exposed to the elements 24x7.<br /><br />After 4 years when I needed to cut it off to do some work (not related to the connection) it was just like new.
 
Boatist

Boatist

Rear Admiral
Joined
Apr 22, 2002
Messages
4,552
Re: Crimp large wire

Crimp it then solder. Important to use enough heat to heat the connection quickly and solder. If you heat it real slow and solder then solder will wick up the wire and make it stiff and brittle. Also can damage the insulation. If you do not solder connection will corrode over time. When done liquid electrial tape and heat srink seals the air and water out.<br /><br />West marine also has crimpers you can use free of charge if you buy the wire or the luggs there.
 
Realgun

Realgun

Commander
Joined
Jul 31, 2003
Messages
2,484
Re: Crimp large wire

Under no circumstance is solder getting near my boat water may not be allowed either. :D <br /><br />I will only crimp properly of course and the heat shrink wrap it. If thats not enough so be it.<br /><br />All the arguments I see for solder never metion the against part. Like wicking and stifening the wire. Thats sure to cause more harm then good.
 
C

cmyers_uk

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 4, 2004
Messages
760
Re: Crimp large wire

Can anybody give me a clue how to solder it. Do you use a torch rather than a iron? I can do the crimping bit :)
 
C

crab bait

Captain
Joined
Feb 5, 2002
Messages
3,831
Re: Crimp large wire

solder is a great asset .. not nary a fear.. if'n you know how..<br /><br />big job = big heat..small job = small heat.<br /><br />this job is big heat i.e. torch.. <br /><br />crimp then apply torch heat<br /><br /> ( the tip of point of the inside blue colored flame,, )<br /><br />( see,, there's the overall flame.. but the hottest part of the flame is the point of the tip of the inside the flame's body )<br /><br /> to the bolt hole part of lug.. <br /><br />after a short while,, touch solder to the space where the bare wire enters the lug..<br /><br />if after a 1/2 second an no flow,,continue heat untill you touch again an the solder flows.. <br /><br />remove heat an let cool..
 
Dunaruna

Dunaruna

Admiral
Joined
May 2, 2003
Messages
6,027
Re: Crimp large wire

Did you forget or maybe it just me that does this - hold lug upsidedown in vise so solder runs INSIDE lug. Don't slide heatshrink tube over lug until it has cooled down otherwise it shrinks to quick.<br /><br />Aldo
 
Boatist

Boatist

Rear Admiral
Joined
Apr 22, 2002
Messages
4,552
Re: Crimp large wire

It is not about the connector getting in the water. It is about the spray from waves the fog in the morning, the salt air the vapor out of the battery vents. With a good crimp you heat the connector and apply solder from the connector end let it cool. Most if not all marine wire is already tinned so this is a fast easy process.
 
C

crab bait

Captain
Joined
Feb 5, 2002
Messages
3,831
Re: Crimp large wire

no upside down is needed or wanted..<br /><br />wherever you apply the heat,, the solder will always flow/suck to the heat.. always.. even uphill..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top