crimps

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Anyone got any advice on how to crimp terminals for battery cables for a planned shore power/charger unit?

Otherwise I've got to install the charger unit and cut cables to length , and then find somewhere to crimp them for me...... which seems a bit of a pain in the ar*e

 

[Roberto]

I use one of those clamps for fitting nicopress sleeves

you may ask a rigger or shipchandler to lend you one, it is a sort of swaging after all -.<)

 

[colvic]

Hi

If these are large terminals then I've used a cold steel chisel as used by a brigkie to crimp the cable inside the terminal then wrapped it in amalgamating tape.

Phil

 

[Malish]

You can buy a crimper for this job from Vehicle Wiring Products but it will cost £70+ (look under battery terminals). Does the job very nicely though - if your boat is in N Kent I can lend mine - send me a PM.

 

[alahol2]

Solder them with a blow torch and lots of flux. Finish off with heat shrink covering.

 

[Seafort]

Do it once and do it properly. Hire the tool you need if you can't borrow one.

Its worth it in the long run.

p.s. Buying a decent crimper will make you quite popular for a while... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Dave.

 

[fireball]

Hmm ... our power cables were just crimped with a sturdy pair of pliers !!

 

[misterg]

Cast around for friends (of friends)' who are industrial electricians / installation engineers / truck auto-electricians / tail-lift installers, even car audio pro's and present them with the cable & the crimp and ask if they know anyone who could join the two together. Much better done with the proper tool by a pro.

0.02 FWIW

Andy

 

[sailorman]

[ QUOTE ]
Solder them with a blow torch and lots of flux. Finish off with heat shrink covering.

[/ QUOTE ]

not good practice as if the cable overheats the solder melts & joint fails

 

[pvb]

Really?

[ QUOTE ]
not good practice as if the cable overheats the solder melts & joint fails

[/ QUOTE ]
I wonder whether this is a realistic risk. He's talking about installing a battery charger. In what sort of circumstances do you reckon the cables are going to get hot enough to melt solder?

 

[pvb]

Mole grips...

I've crimped terminals for 35 sq mm cable using mole grips, with the terminal placed in the jaws closest to the pivot. By progressively tightening the adjuster, you can exert quite a lot of pressure. I then soldered them, using a gas blowtorch.