JUMPER CABLES

[Not the Autorx Frank]

Just wondering where I can buy some super high quality jumper cables. I went to give my dad a jump the other day and my wimpy cables wouldn't give him enough juice to get him started.
Looking for a longer length too. I have seen tow truck guys w/ 20' long cables that are 2 gauge or so.

 

[Farticus]

Pick up some heavy welder cable and stick some clamps on 'em. Mind you, it won't be very flexible.

 

[seotaji]

any autoparts store will have what you need.

the lower the guage, the thicker the cable will be.

thicker is usually better, unless you drive a golf cart, then it's overkill.

 

[SteveD2]

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/ProductDisplay/s-10101/p-6932/c-10101

No cables needed. No other vehicle needed. Has something like 900CCA. I've used it alone to start my boat, which refused to start from a brand new 500cca battery because it just wasn't enough. They can often be found on sale for $25-50.

 

[cryptokid]

most of the time it isnt the cable that is the weak point in jumper cables, but the connection points. the clips on the end of the cable have teeth which grab the battery terminals, and they do it rather poorly most of the time.

the best jumper cables i ever had used clips which had no teeth. they were half moons which resembled a battery terminal connector. the surface area for contact with the battery terminals was alot better than the conventional clips which use teeth.
with these cables i could start my dads 409 cubic inch chevy impala using his little stinkin vw diesel.

another place that is a weak area for jumper cable is the crimps which hold the cable to the clips. if you solder the cable to the clips you will notice they work ALOT better. even the best compression type crimps cant equal the capacity of a good soldered connection.

remember that old saying about a chain being as strong as its weakest link. well in jumper cables the weakest link is the alligator teeth, the second weakest link is the crimps to hold the cable onto the alligator clips.

 

[Ugly3]

You get out there at -15F and you will wish you had the biggest cables there are. I had 12 foot 2ga cables with good clamps - would barely turn the engine over. A friend got his 20 foot 00ga welding cables with big clamps - engine turned over like it was July 4th. I learned!

 

[SteveD2]

Easiest option is to just sign up for AAA.

 

[labman]

quote:

---

Originally posted by ZmOz:
Easiest option is to just sign up for AAA.

---

The Anti Automobile Association will never get a dime off me. I'll just hope Criptokid or one of the others stops.

 

[Ugly3]

I have not seen "excellent" booster cables for sale. I bought 60 feet of 00 Welding cable and crimped & soldered strong clamps on the ends. Then I taped the two wires together with electric tape (took almost 2 rolls). I have 30' booster cables that will start a semi!

 

[brianl703]

24 foot, 2 gauge booster cable for $69.99 from:

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/ProductDisplay/s-10101/p-7833/c-10101

 

[VaderSS]

http://www.arizonatools.com/catalog/browse/3586-2017/detail/64/

 

[crashz]

2 weeks ago I was doing a job with my father (digging the foundation for a small two car garage) when his truck (Mack, single axle dump) wouldn't start on the job. It had not been run for a while, so the batteries were drained. So I ran down to the hardware store and bought a set of cables to jump it off of my pickup. Without looking in the box, I bought the "extra heavy duty mecahnic's grade" set. When I got back I pulled out these dinky little cables. I think they are 6 guage wire with these weird little clamps. I didn't even attempt to start the truck right away, I let the truck charge off of mine for about 30 mins. The Mack fired right up, but I'm sure I would have burnt up those cables if I tried right away.

And to think I paid $40 for them!

 

[1maniac]

I picked up a set at Walmart. 2 Gauge, 20foot, with 1000 amp clamps for $30. That's thinnest I would go. The thicker the better.

 

[labman]

quote:

---

Originally posted by crashz:
snip....

And to think I paid $40 for them!

---

-

Once again, a high price on crap.

 

[D Stewart]

About 25 years ago, the ignition people Accel made a set of precoiled booster cables. I bought a set and they have been one of the best investments I've ever had. Boosted tons of cars every winter and still like new.

 

[crashz]

quote:

---

Originally posted by labman:

quote:

---

Originally posted by crashz:
snip....

And to think I paid $40 for them!

---

-

Once again, a high price on crap.

---

Yeah - I know, but the choices were slim and I was in a big hurry. Isn't that always the case when you find yourself buying the wrong thing for the wrong price?

 

[TheTanSedan]

Having a set made IS the best way to go. Otherwise, the 2-ga JCW pieces are good.

Take a look at the MECH MAN site. He can do you up a set of plug in/out if you want to make a couple of minor modifications.

http://www.mechman.com/MECHMAN/bat_boost.htm

Slick, eh?