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Old 10-12-2019, 08:25 PM   #1
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Batt hookup money saving tip

Figured out lately that since i need a very long #4 battery lead, that the cheapest way to get the number of feet i need is to buy a set of Jumper cables at my local Rural King store.

#4 Hobart welding cable is $3.49 PER FOOT

#4 (16) Foot Jumper cables $11.99 (32) Feet total feet!!
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Old 10-12-2019, 08:41 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mekanic View Post
Figured out lately that since i need a very long #4 battery lead, that the cheapest way to get the number of feet i need is to buy a set of Jumper cables at my local Rural King store.

#4 Hobart welding cable is $3.49 PER FOOT

#4 (16) Foot Jumper cables $11.99 (32) Feet total feet!!
That's probably because the jumper cables are copper coated aluminum wire and Hobart is solid copper. You can also buy #4 cable used for car audio. You'll know you have the cheap wire when it corrodes and turns to dust inside the cable coating. I have had that happen.before.
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Old 10-12-2019, 08:46 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mekanic View Post
Figured out lately that since i need a very long #4 battery lead, that the cheapest way to get the number of feet i need is to buy a set of Jumper cables at my local Rural King store.

#4 Hobart welding cable is $3.49 PER FOOT
#4 (16) Foot Jumper cables $11.99 (32) Feet total feet!!
You will find a big difference in overall quality of the cables you are comparing. The welding cable is made of high quality stranded copper wire with a strong but very flexible insulated covering. This cable will hold up to pulling, twisting, bending and heat much better than the cheaper wire in a set of jumper cables.
The wire from jumper cables might work for your application because it won't be subjected to the abuse cables on welders are subjected to.
Your better choice would be to visit an auto parts store and buy cable from bulk which is designed for the use you intend to put it to.
Lynn
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Old 10-12-2019, 08:51 PM   #4
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You can also go to any auto parts store and tell them you need X feet of battery cable with Y type of connectors and they will make it up. #4 IIRC I don't recall the price but it was no higher than the $4/ft and I think it was less.
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Old 10-13-2019, 05:37 AM   #5
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When I installed a anchor windless in my boat, I did the same thing.

I picked up a set of cheap, 4 gauge jumper cables and chopped them up for wiring it. It was a decent, copper, multi strand cable, not the real junk with 3 or 4 strands.

They have been in service for over 10 years, on a salt water use boat, and work fine. Absolutely no corrosion or damage.

Yellow and red are the preferred cable colors on boats but blue works for me. Just tape the ends with red or yellow.
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Old 10-13-2019, 10:29 AM   #6
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I jumped the gun. aluminum core wire.

IT IS fine multi strand wire, and that is why I didn't think it wasn't pure copper when i first looked at it.

So I'm out $12. Not that big of a deal.
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Old 12-01-2019, 07:06 PM   #7
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well i completely (almost) made up for my $12 mistake.

I work at a RV/camper dealership part time. and get some good deals sometimes.
For legal reasons the dealership will NOT install a new plug end on a Used cord on any camper/RV they are selling. They replace the entire cord.
I was
Given for FREE a 30 foot or so 50 amp cord with no ends.
So I ended up with over 100 feet of #6 Multistrand COPPER wire
#6 is not my first choice but it will work since there will be so little draw on everything.
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