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Old 09-09-2013, 08:51 PM   #1
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New Battery Cable Resource

As always, thanks for all the help...

I'm renovating my new to me '93 13" Scamp. The battery cables are worse for the wear. They need replaced.

Yet, I am finding next to nothing in my searches for new ones.

Can someone please point me to what I need?

• new pos and neg cables
• with inline fuse on the pos side
• enough length to bring onboard and integrate in...
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Old 09-09-2013, 09:10 PM   #2
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Depends entirely on what you want to do. I added several circuits with 10gauge wire from Home Depot. But when I add my inverter (if I ever have the $$$) West Marine sells 00 to 8 gauge HUGE battery cables. I would check out the old school NAPA stores or marine shops. We used to have our local NAPA build out battery cables from scratch. Just tell them how long and what type of ends you need.

As for cost, I think it will come down to how much copper costs as that will be the primary expense in buying cables. Of course you will have to add for building the cables if you don't have the skills of equipment. It's not hard but does take a little practice to get proficient.

I don't know if you could contact Scamp and buy them already made.

Jason
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Old 09-10-2013, 11:12 AM   #3
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Check with your local auto electric shops. They usually have bought wire a number of years back and often sell for less than most other shops. West marine is very high compared to all others. Also check online. I buy most wire from large online sources-still way cheaper than local even with shipping. Same for fuse boxes and other high grade products. I nearly never buy from auto parts stores because of low quality.
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Old 09-10-2013, 12:35 PM   #4
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I'll say it again. If you have a metal recycler nearby, you can buy new wire (ends off very long spools) for pennies on the dollar over a retail store. Buy the ends and fuses, etc at an auto parts store and you can make up better than original cables for almost nothing.
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Old 09-10-2013, 12:39 PM   #5
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I never thought of the Thomas. That's a great idea! I only mentioned West Marine because I saw the cables while looking for something else for my boat. I would only recommend them as last resort because of their prices.

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Old 09-10-2013, 12:48 PM   #6
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I never thought of the Thomas. That's a great idea! I only mentioned West Marine because I saw the cables while looking for something else for my boat. I would only recommend them as last resort because of their prices.

Jason
The metal recycler is also an outstanding place to buy aluminum and stainless steel in various shapes. I just scored about 25 feet of 1" aluminum angle for $10. Plastic is free, so I take all the accordian wrapping off the wire there that I want. Scrounger.
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Old 09-10-2013, 01:25 PM   #7
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A set of copper automotive jumper cables might make long enough battery cables.
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Old 09-10-2013, 01:32 PM   #8
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If you don't want to make them yourself, and don't have a good local source, I have used Genuine DealZ for the #0 cables I used when I installed my inverter. Excellent quality and made to order in many colors. Free Shipping (in the US).
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Old 09-10-2013, 02:40 PM   #9
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A set of copper automotive jumper cables might make long enough battery cables.
Yes, and they usually even combine the two conductor is a single tidy cable. On the other hand, they're unlikely to be the desired colour, and you're paying for clamps on each end that won't be used... and you need to put the desired connectors on them.
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Old 09-10-2013, 03:33 PM   #10
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Yes, and they usually even combine the two conductor is a single tidy cable. On the other hand, they're unlikely to be the desired colour, and you're paying for clamps on each end that won't be used... and you need to put the desired connectors on them.
And be sure to check the gauge - some are as light as #10 or even less.
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Old 09-10-2013, 03:57 PM   #11
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Depending on where you live and dont mind buying used go to your local pick and pull, pick a part, you pull it or what ever the name may be auto salvage and look at the charge wire comming from some of the higher amp alternator cars. Some of these cars have 100 amp alternators and wire appropriate for the application. these can be had cheep, some terminate to fuse holders with mega fuzes. I have also used fuse holders from Walmart made by Scosche with large fuse holders with covers. There nice and fairly cheep and carried in their auto sterio dept.
Scosche PMFHIK In-Line Fuse Block With 40- and 80-Amp Maxi-Fuse: Auto Electronics : Walmart.com
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Old 09-10-2013, 04:49 PM   #12
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And be sure to check the gauge - some are as light as #10 or even less.
10 gauge is more like a charging cord than a booster cable, but that's a good point. Fortunately the wire gauge is normally shown clearly in the specs and on packaging of booster cables.
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