Crimping heavy cables

[bobmcd625]

I am in the process of installing a new windlass and will be running heavy cables from the battery bank to the device (40 ft). Mine will be 1 or 2 AWG. The connecting lugs require good crimping but since there will only be a few connections I don't want to spend the earth on a crimping tool. Any advice as to which tool to use? And which brands or models are recommended? I see some on Amazon for under $40 which is peanuts compared to the cost of the whole installation. Thanks in advance.

[a64pilot]

I have one of those hydraulic ones you see on Amazon.
I’m sure it’s not the best in the world but it seems to work well.
Or you could measure and order already made up cables with the terminals installed and heat shrunk from genuinedealz. They are a little marine wire supply house located in Brunswick Ga.

[SVTatia]

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...es-204436.html

[bobmcd625]

Thanks for those comments. I plan to buy the cable from West Marine. I suppose they would crimp on the cables for a "small" fee. I like the system of dies in a vise. Also I see that soldering the connection after crimping is a good idea!

[danhaun]

Someone posted previously that they had good results using a hand swaging tool ( the kind that you use for the copper sleeve system). https://www.amazon.com/004-Swaging-T...d+swaging+tool

I had one in the toolbox and it made great looking crimps on 2/0 wire and lugs. It is slow going but you have a muti-use tool.

Also, West marine will let you use the crimping bench and tool if you purchase supplies from them.

... just my experience.

Dan Haun

[s/v Moondancer]

My local West Marine had a swaging tool that I used.

[SVTatia]

Originally Posted by bobmcd625

Thanks for those comments. I plan to buy the cable from West Marine. I suppose they would crimp on the cables for a "small" fee. I like the system of dies in a vise. Also I see that soldering the connection after crimping is a good idea!

Not sure what your urgency is but you could realize substantial savings...
I got mine from Greg's
https://gregsmarinewiresupply.com/Marine-Battery-Cable

For 1/0 cable the price diff from WM is $3/foot.... now calculate total savings for your round trip to the bow.
Also, check this site
https://marinehowto.com/making-your-own-battery-cables/

[Unity]

I’ve done hundreds of crimps on a total rewiring project with this inexpensive unit (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00...op_mb_pd_title) good for up to 2/0. For larger wires (I used massive 373mcm) this unit has worked great as well (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01...op_mb_pd_title) which starts at 6 awg (but is heavy and a bit harder to use than the other unit). But at $45 ea it’s an easy decision.

Watch out for West over pricing the Ancor wire-find it cheaper online and they will match (sometimes half the price!)

[Cheechako]

Use the WM swaging tool! Put some good thick shrink tube on the cable first, the kind with the goo that oozes out when you heat it. The cables on a windlass often stay pretty damp a lot of the time, although some boats that's not so. I crimp then solder into the crimp, to avoid that black corrosion that creeps into the wire...but that's just me.

[darylat8750]

Originally Posted by SVTatia

Not sure what your urgency is but you could realize substantial savings...
I got mine from Greg's
https://gregsmarinewiresupply.com/Marine-Battery-Cable

For 1/0 cable the price diff from WM is $3/foot.... now calculate total savings for your round trip to the bow.
Also, check this site
https://marinehowto.com/making-your-own-battery-cables/

Read marinehowto.com/making-your-own-battery-cables/ first. Very good information from a real pro.

Consider this source: Marine Wiring, Boat Cable and Electrical Genuinedealz.com They can use the good heavy terminals.

[Frankly]

As others have mentioned, this has worked for me for years.

[Frankly]

After crimp.

[darylat8750]

No financial interest but GenuineDealz will do it put them on for pennies.

[Zil]

I have used GenuineDealz. High recommendation. But I disagree with solder. Not a good idea to solder, unless you are an expert. Even if, it is still a bad idea.

[NYSail]

Originally Posted by bobmcd625

Thanks for those comments. I plan to buy the cable from West Marine. I suppose they would crimp on the cables for a "small" fee. I like the system of dies in a vise. Also I see that soldering the connection after crimping is a good idea!

West marine will let you crimp all you want using there tools if you buy the stuff from them. At least they do here in NY.

Greg