Over the last few years, there has been hugh discussion on fitting extra leisure batteries, inverters and solar panels.
However after purchasing the extra bits and pieces, an area that I believe that is overlooked with DIY fits is the quality of the cable connections being made.
Because we use a 12 volts system, there are often a large amounts of amps flowing through our cables.
One bad connection will start a fire with overheating.
How do most folk crimp on the lugs on 35 or 50 mm2 cables?
A proper crimping tool is serious money to buy for an one off job.
I work for a truck bodybuilding company, and the following is what I use for electric power hydraulic powerpacks, electric winches both of which pull about 150 amps of power.
This a lump of 20mm plate with two 16 and 12mm holes drilled and slotted.
The 12mm slot is for 35mm2 cable lugs while the 16mm slot is for 50mm2 cable lugs.
After stripping the cable end and fitting the lug end, put both into the slot. Using a blind punch, or flat end punch, flatten the lug onto the cable.
Use a 10mm punch first and then a 6mm punch to really tighten the connection.
Afterwards to waterproof the connection, used electrical tape or heat shrink tubing.
However after purchasing the extra bits and pieces, an area that I believe that is overlooked with DIY fits is the quality of the cable connections being made.
Because we use a 12 volts system, there are often a large amounts of amps flowing through our cables.
One bad connection will start a fire with overheating.
How do most folk crimp on the lugs on 35 or 50 mm2 cables?
A proper crimping tool is serious money to buy for an one off job.
I work for a truck bodybuilding company, and the following is what I use for electric power hydraulic powerpacks, electric winches both of which pull about 150 amps of power.
This a lump of 20mm plate with two 16 and 12mm holes drilled and slotted.
The 12mm slot is for 35mm2 cable lugs while the 16mm slot is for 50mm2 cable lugs.
After stripping the cable end and fitting the lug end, put both into the slot. Using a blind punch, or flat end punch, flatten the lug onto the cable.
Use a 10mm punch first and then a 6mm punch to really tighten the connection.
Afterwards to waterproof the connection, used electrical tape or heat shrink tubing.