Buying battery cables in Europe

[tarian]

I have also used 12v planet for all by boat electrical work , which was a lot over 3 years and cannot recommend then enough,
Never a fault good items and a strong delivery record
Just a happy customer

[onavegador]

You may also look at www.svb.de They have tinned copper cable in red and black from 1,5mm2 up to 70mm2, sold by the metre.

[adjo]

I query the need for tinned cables.

I know and appreciate that this is "how it should be done" but suspect that this "rule" dates back to when insulation was perhaps far more permeable and sealants less effective.

My non-tinned battery cables are now 30 years old and are still fine. The terminals were well sealed with good heatshrink when installed.

[nic26]

Originally Posted by Federico993

I am building the Lithium system for my boat and I am looking for Marine cables. I was watching the Ancor battery cables but they aren't sold in Europe.
I am looking for the 3/0 AWG size since it is the bigger size I can use on my boat.
Does anyone know where to buy tinned battery cables in Europe at reasonable price?

Thanks!

See SVB.de

[Federico993]

I wonder if the Oceanflex cable which is rated for 70°C can be used for the engine room.
Has anyone installed it into the engine room?

[Rapanui]

Yes
I attach the Oceanflex specification from Furneaux Riddall. https://www.furneauxriddall.com/acat...-Cable-p1.html
I think it answers the question

OCEANFLEX Marine Grade Thin Wall Tinned Single Core Cable

High temperature thin wall low voltage wiring cables suitable for use in the automotive, marine and other harsh environments. The tinned copper conductors make this cable more resistant to corrosion.

• Manufactured in accordance with ISO 6722-1:2011 (class B) 105°C.
• Suitable for 12v and 24v systems (maximum voltage 60v).
• Tinned Copper Conductors - PVC Insulated.
• Suitable for use at temperatures from -40ºC to +105ºC with excursions up to +120ºC.
• Reduced insulation gives considerable savings in weight and volume.
• Good resistance to petrol, diesel, lubricating oils and diluted acid.
• Very good resistance to corrosion.
• Hard grade PVC insulation offers good resistance to abrasion and cut through.

[Federico993]

It's not clear, on the manufacturer's site it's written -30°C to 70°C.
I have bought it and on the cable it's printed 70°C.
So, can I install it on the engine room?
Do I need to protect it?

[Federico993]

Link: https://www.automarinecables.com/cab...ex-pvc-cables/

[Rapanui]

There are 2 relevant types of Oceanflex cables. The difference is in the insulation. Clearly the fire and heat resistance of the flexible battery cable would be lower. From the automarine website https://www.automarinecables.com/cables__trashed/battery-cables/#

You would need to check what if any the requirements for engine room cables are for your registry.
For what its worth, I used single core thinwall tinned cable throughout and it was adequately flexible

• Thinwall low voltage tinned cable

Cores manufactured to ISO 6722-1:2011 (Class B) 105ºC
Plain copper conductors to BS EN 60228:2005, PVC insulated
Single core suitable for use at temperatures from -40ºC to 105ºC with excursions up to 120ºC
Twins and multicores PVC sheathed at 70ºC
Suitable for 12v or 24v systems (Maximum voltage 60v)
Reduced insulation gives considerable savings in weight and volume especially when used in large wiring harnesses
Good resistance to petrol, diesel, lubricating oils and diluted acids
PVC insulation offers good resistance to abrasion and cut through

• PVC Battery extra flexible cables

Single insulated extra flexible designed for use in tough working environments. Plain copper conductors, PVC insulated -30 to 70C

[Federico993]

Yes, but I needed a 95mm2 cable size. The Thinwall low voltage tinned cable isn't available in that size.

So, now I have the cable at home but I don't know if it can be installed or not.

[Bycrick]

While tinned cable is nice, I wouldn’t obsess about it. If you get moisture into the cable, it will corrode, tinned or not. My boat had all the primary wiring in #2 gauge welding cable: untinned, very fine stranding for flexibility, the terminals wrapped with electrical tape. I’ve replaced it all over the years, but when I took the connections apart, none of them were corroded.

[Rapanui]

In that situation, I would suggest adding high temperature cable sheathing for those cables where there is a risk of high temperatures or fire, something like this https://catersparesuk.co.uk/product-...tant-sleeving/