Battery Cable Supplier

ctva

ctva

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Simple one this, looking for recommendation on suppliers for battery cable (10 or so metres of red and black awg8 / 10mm) for the boat. Also what should I be looking at to distinguish between dodgy and good stuff?

Many thanks

Chris
 
ctva

ctva

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Thanks for the above. can I ask (as I am not on the boat) the cable run from a 55amp alternator to the batteries is approx 1.5m, is 16sq mm suitable?
 
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jakew009

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Andrew_Trayfoot said:
Oceanflex Tinned Battery Cable Single Core 35mm Red - Marine Electricals
Click to expand...

Not saying you should go one way or the other, but on the last boat I refurbed I used tinned wiring at huge premium.

I then realised that Mercury the engine manufacturer used standard non tinned copper for everything including the battery cables going into the outboard and it was still in perfect condition after 20 years.

On my next project I definitely won’t bother. Just make sure the crimps are gas tight (maybe put the saving towards a decent crimper).
 
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justanothersailboat

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Jakew's experience is interesting. It doesn't tally with mine. Original manufacturer of my boat used untinned ordinary flex. It was all black and useless at every connection. I've torn it all out and replaced it with horridly pricey tinned stuff - that was a big job. But very little of it crimped, let alone the excellent newfangled crimps with glue filled heatshrink. I wonder if you need one or the other but not both?
 
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jakew009

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justanothersailboat said:
Jakew's experience is interesting. It doesn't tally with mine. Original manufacturer of my boat used untinned ordinary flex. It was all black and useless at every connection. I've torn it all out and replaced it with horridly pricey tinned stuff - that was a big job. But very little of it crimped, let alone the excellent newfangled crimps with glue filled heatshrink. I wonder if you need one or the other but not both?
Click to expand...

I think you probably raise a good point, which is the tinned wire is advantageous if the overall quality of the wiring install wasn't great.

If the wiring is all kept in conduit and the crimps are gas tight and properly sealed with glue lined heat shrink, tinned wire is probably not necessary. The Merc harness was extremely well made.
 
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