I searched and surprisingly did not find any info on this
I am installing a second battery soon. For now I am looking at using 2/0 cable for both the second battery and to replace the stock cables. Built for a 200A continuous draw, This truck will be off road witch puts a lot of humidity under the hood I need a reliable cable in the woods. I plan to add a winch later on as funds allow
I have crimped my battery cables in the past and they worked just fine, but I am also considering soldering these,
I did some goggling on the subject and there is no consensus, lots of pro’s and con’s for both,
Pro’s
Crimp
Direct copper to copper contact
Hi strength will not pull or vibrate out
Solder
Large conductive contact area (100 %)
Air and water are sealed out
Con’s
Crimp
Not sealed from oxygen and water. Will eventually corrode
Lower contact area
Solder
Solder is not as good a conductor as copper
Lower strength, can rattle out over time
Possible insulation damage from the heat
Hard not to get a cold joint with such large pieces to heat
I can crimp and then solder Or I can crimp and do my best with heat shrink and dielectric grease to seal it up, both negate some of the cons but not all
What makes the most reliable/conductive cable? I think either way I am going to crimp, the question is do I solder after? Is there a tool I can rent to evenly compress (swage ) terminals on to a cable as opposed to the press/hammer a dent in the middle crimpier?
I am installing a second battery soon. For now I am looking at using 2/0 cable for both the second battery and to replace the stock cables. Built for a 200A continuous draw, This truck will be off road witch puts a lot of humidity under the hood I need a reliable cable in the woods. I plan to add a winch later on as funds allow
I have crimped my battery cables in the past and they worked just fine, but I am also considering soldering these,
I did some goggling on the subject and there is no consensus, lots of pro’s and con’s for both,
Pro’s
Crimp
Direct copper to copper contact
Hi strength will not pull or vibrate out
Solder
Large conductive contact area (100 %)
Air and water are sealed out
Con’s
Crimp
Not sealed from oxygen and water. Will eventually corrode
Lower contact area
Solder
Solder is not as good a conductor as copper
Lower strength, can rattle out over time
Possible insulation damage from the heat
Hard not to get a cold joint with such large pieces to heat
I can crimp and then solder Or I can crimp and do my best with heat shrink and dielectric grease to seal it up, both negate some of the cons but not all
What makes the most reliable/conductive cable? I think either way I am going to crimp, the question is do I solder after? Is there a tool I can rent to evenly compress (swage ) terminals on to a cable as opposed to the press/hammer a dent in the middle crimpier?