6 gauge wire for battery

[prismiko]

Our team is trying to make our own battery cables for the first time and were wondering if this 6 gauge wire from ebay is legal/usable. I am waiting for more detailed specs from the seller.

Thank you!

[dawonn]

Should be fine.

[rsisk]

That is what we use.

[FrankJ]

Probably. You have to be able to document that is 6 gauge. The easiest way is to have the cable marked with the wire size.

We use welding cable because the high strand count makes the wire flexible.

[prismiko]

Gotcha!

Thanks all for the quick replies!

[JamesCH95]

If you're making your own battery terminals I would strongly encourage you to get a good 6awg crimping tool. We use one like this: http://www.amazon.com/NOCO-D800-Hamm...hammer+crimper and have sectioned crimps to show that the crimp forces all of the strands into a solid chunk of metal. It is VERY effective when used with the right sized hammer.

I would strongly discourage you from using the screw-compression type terminals that come in the KOP. I feel like those are a cruel joke or a test from FIRST to see who is naive enough to actually use them! I say this because I've never never seen those connectors NOT loosen up rapidly. The only successful implementation of those terminals that I have seen is when they are soldered solidly to the wire.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Priscilla,
It is hard to judge the integrity of this cable without actual specifications. While it appears to be OK, it may actually be something less than ideal. It appears from what this person has in the online store is speaker products. As such, it may be listed as #6 as that is the closest size but may be actually smaller diameter. The cable does not say "#6" on it and the website for Installbay does not give any specifications. I personally would spend the extra money to get a known AWG sized cable. Remember that all your robot power runs through that primary wiring. You want it to be the best you can afford.

[Andy A.]

If the ebay cable is legitimately 6 gauge, it'd be fine and a decent value. I'll echo Al's concerns though, as the car/stereo world has a somewhat looser set of standards when it comes to wire sizing and quality then FRC or industry. My understanding from the Ebay listing is that the wire has no size printed on it and does not come on a spool; proving its size might be a little difficult at an event.

An alternative is to go through a 'known' supplier, like McMaster. An equivalent cable might be http://www.mcmaster.com/#6948k91/=wjrygy. It's more expensive at $1.75/ft, but you'll know it's the correct size and as advertised.

[GeeTwo]

Another alternative if you're just looking for a relatively small quantity is to buy some 6GA booster cables and cut off the clamps. Harbor Freight sells a 16 foot cable for $20, no shipping. They're also already coupled into a zip cord.

[prismiko]

Thank you all for the information!

We'll go with one of the alternatives to be on the safe side for the wire and compression lug connectors.
As for the crimping, we already have one of the hydraulic wire crimpers from Harbor Freight that seem to work pretty well.

[JamesCH95]

Originally Posted by prismiko

Thank you all for the information!

We'll go with one of the alternatives to be on the safe side for the wire and compression lug connectors.
As for the crimping, we already have one of the hydraulic wire crimpers from Harbor Freight that seem to work pretty well.

Excellent. Just make sure that the terminals you use will be compatible with the crimper and you'll be good to go.

[Ideal_Nerd]

This year we used this wire. it is very flexible. It feels more like a rope. The only down side is that the strands are very small and hard to get in to the crimp.

[JDL]

I try to stay away from that automotive audio stuff, sometimes it good quality, other times it's pretty crappy wire.

You can get class k welding cable cheaper anyway.



Just don't use the KOP set screw lugs on anything other than class B stranded.