aj2494

I'm trying to upgrade the stock battery cables as well as build a headlight harness to replace the Putco one I have, and I'll be installing an amplifier or two pretty soon. I know I can't just walk into HD and get what I need, but a lot of sites online require 100 ft minimum orders. A couple places I checked out didn't carry 1/0 AWG or carried the wire but not the terminals. Where do you guys get wiring supplies from for you cars?

toasterknight

You can buy in 25 foot lengths off amazon.

Fred/N0AZZ

I bought mine here from a member (5-90) all made up and an excellent job for my larger alt. 168 amp (a rewind) carries everything winch, lighting, inverter, 2 100w radios, etc.

aj2494

I've thought about buying from 5-90, and actually I'm using his kit as a model, but I can build it myself way cheaper. Plus I like doing these kinds of projects and this is pretty damn simple. I'm really not great with electrical stuff so I'm trying to through myself into as much as possible so I can start learning and getting more comfortable with wiring.

Out of curiosity, did you have someone rewind your alternator or did you buy one online somewhere? Where did you get it from? This is something I've been thinking about doing this for a while and upgrading the battery wiring is partially in preparation for a bigger alternator.

XJPat

5-90s website
http://www.kelleyswip.com/

XJPat

Just fyi. When I did the math the kit was less than twenty bucks more than doing myself.

SeriousOffroad

For battery cadles, any welding shop.

aj2494

How? His 1 AWG kit is $114. If I use 1/0 cable (substantially larger) from an amplifier cable supply site, it's $1.75 a foot. Kelley's kit comes out to 11.5' total, so roughly $20 for the cable and $1 a piece for the lug terminals. Total is $32 without heat shrink which is pretty much negligible. I did end up finding a site that would sell shorter lengths of welding cable, and their 1/0 AWG welding cable is $1.85 a foot, which is barely more than the amp wiring. I mean no bad will against 5-90. His kit is great and it's providing me with the template to do this, but I would rather do it myself and save the money.

If I'm missing something here, someone please correct me.

BlueRidgeMark

I have no clue on the cost issue, but can you crimp the ends properly? If you think you can do it with a big hammer, think again. You won't get a proper crimp that way. No way you can equal a hydraulic press with a hammer.

Here's a place I've done business with. Very happy with the quality and price.


For connectors, try Del City.

Fred/N0AZZ

My alt. was a Durango one that a friend who owns an alt./starter repair/rebuild shop rewound for me. He was able to get that much out of it and so far trouble free 1 1/2yrs., but was costly a case of Green Apple Ale and my old alt for a core.


5-90 wiring may be a few bucks more but is made up for in quality of work and materials. I'm just a user but a happy one and he emailed me an excellent of directions for the wiring/fuse setups. BTW no way in hell are you buying the battery terminals he uses for a buck anywhere. Also and price out a crimper to do the cable, I own one for amateur antenna work doing grounds outside on towers cost $189 with 3 die sizes. Also have one for smaller wire size crimper and dies.

aj2494

Haha, not battery terminals, lug terminals. They're big ring terminals. I thought it was an odd name too, but that's what I've seen them called everywhere once you get to a larger gauge.

As for actually crimping them on, this is what I was planning on using. http://www.amazon.com/Forney-57637-L...=cable+crimper. These are a pretty common way for people to crimp something without going pneumatic. I needed to get one anyways, so it's not even an extra cost for this project.

BlueRidgeMark

That's crap, and it will produce crap crimps.

CR-Snow

That crimper tool does look a little cheap. But as far as making your own stuff, I say go for it. Amazon has pretty much everything you need. Buy nice tools the first time and you'll thank yourself later. Actually you probably won't, but you won't curse yourself later, and this is better haha. But go for it. Experiment. Mess up. Take chances. I bet you end up making something pretty decent and it's something you made yourself. And if you totally fail, just buy that bada$$ kit from 5-90.

freegdr

I just went to napa and got correct lengths one morning job.

chipmaker

Stay away from the hammer crimper, they suck. Trust me I speak from experience. You can get a manual crimper for cable that size but it cost around $700. If there is an electric motor repair shop in your area they should have a set and be willing to crimp your ends on the cheap. I'm on the app right now so I can't see where you're located, if your anywhere near me I'll do all your crimps for a 12 pack. Provided the cable is already cut to legenth.