Welding cable for starter / battery leads?

[imstillatwork]

Would welding cable be a good choice for starter / battery leads on an outboard? It is very flexible, durable, heat, fuel, chemical resistant, and generaly made for high voltage / amperage uses.<br /><br />(not to mention usually much much cheaper then anything with a 'marine' label)<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Welding cable for starter / battery leads?

Welding cable is excellent for use in place of normal battery cable. Unfortunately, it is usually not tin plated, so for that reason it is not a good choice for use on a boat.

 

[imstillatwork]

Re: Welding cable for starter / battery leads?

ah...that explains the corrosion 3 feet into the cable under the rubber on the existing cables (looks like automotive type.)<br /><br />thanks!

 

[Realgun]

Re: Welding cable for starter / battery leads?

18rabbit you should see what people here use for wires, it would make you cry. No Marine only autowire because it will never see the ocean according to a guy who builds boats here. <br /><br />I think thats wacked but the USCG guys actually certify the wiring for them. weird.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Welding cable for starter / battery leads?

What about compatibility of the welding cable for fresh water useage ? Up here in Canada the automobile battery cables are subjected to horrific salt/water exposure during the winter and the cables last for ever. I hate spending money on things I really don't have to.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Welding cable for starter / battery leads?

RodC - There's a current parallel post to this:<br />Click here. That stuff would be great.<br /><br />The salt on our roads is nothing compared to what a salt-water boat goes through. Even if you're careful to keep things dry (and they never are), salt-water fog attacks any exposed metal.