Battery Cable Crimping Tool

[nmccubbin]

I always crimp AND solder high load terminals like battery cables
Crimped connections have relatively high resistance and salt air eventually corrodes them

[srbaum]

Foster,
If you are in Hampton Roads, you can use mine.
Best regards,
Steve Baum

[IanTrail]

Here's a cheap and cheerful crimper for occasional crimps. This one needs thumping with a hammer; mine has two big bolts that you tighten up to compress the crimp. Quite fiddly if you have a lot to do so I bought a hydraulic crimper before starting a major re-wire. But for occasional use it does an adequate job.

https://budgetmarine.com/catalog/ele...or-vice-tight/

[Cpt Mark]

I bought this one. It works but sometimes i need to use the next size down for a proper crimp. I did my Lifepo4 system with it.

Buying any of the chinese stuff read the reviews first. I look at the 1 and 2 star reviews to see if there is a common issue

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Leo Ticheli]

Originally Posted by ggray

If I can't find one to borrow, I may need to buy one for a couple of crimps of different size lugs.

Since it will only be used a few times, I figure one from Amazon will do, but can anyone recommend this tool?

Bought one from Horror Freight years ago; worked perfectly and was borrowed many times by other sailors who liked it as well. https://www.harborfreight.com/hydrau...=crimping+tool

[sinnerman]

My local store has a lug crimper with dies on-hand that they let you can use in the store for free.

I believe that West Marine does the same.

[misssherry]

Instead of cutting large cables, soldering, and crimping, I let Gregs
do the job. They do exceptional work at a reasonable price and very quick service.


https://gregsmarinewiresupply.com/pr...-to-install-2/

[Boatwright]

Originally Posted by JBP

If you only need it for a couple crimps, the hammer type are much cheaper.

https://a.co/d/i0TOjcC/

I've been using the hammer type for years with 100% sound connections.

A couple of tips:

Use quality tin-plated copper lugs, matched exactly to the wire and stud size. Use tin coated marine grade wire. Do not try and save a nickel with auto battery cable wire or house wire - a safe crimp cannot be made with the heavier strands of this type wire.

You need a good solid work surface with some mass. I have an oak 4x4x8 block.

You need a 3# short handle sledge hammer. Lighter claw hammers won't do the job.

Practice with some wire scraps. One good solid hit to set the crimp, followed by two or three firm hits to finish. You don't need to beat it to death -- let the weight of the hammer do the work. Practice a bit and you will get a feel for the lug metal being forced solid around the wire. The lugs and wire are made of soft metal and when squeezed with the die actually flow into intimate contact.

I actually keep a hammer crimper in the tool kit on the boat.

[dohenyboy]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1


This has worked great

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by ggray

If I can't find one to borrow, I may need to buy one for a couple of crimps of different size lugs.

Since it will only be used a few times, I figure one from Amazon will do, but can anyone recommend this tool?

https://www.amazon.com/IWISS-Battery...hlbWF0aWM&th=1

West marine and other chandlers will crimp for you.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by CMH

... lugs with flaired ends will make your life MUCH easier.
Chris

Indeed.
A bevelled/flared wire entry enables easier insertion of multi stranded cables, and prevents bent back strands, when inserting the conductor into the barrel.

[lifeofreilly57]

Originally Posted by ggray

If I can't find one to borrow, I may need to buy one for a couple of crimps of different size lugs.

Since it will only be used a few times, I figure one from Amazon will do, but can anyone recommend this tool?

https://www.amazon.com/IWISS-Battery...hlbWF0aWM&th=1

Harbor Freight tools has them for a reasonable price, don't know if thye ship internationally. I bought one and had it hipped through West Tech shipping as part of a consolidated order. Worked fine up to 0/2 cable lugs when I completely redid my battery compartment and high amperage cables.
Before that I used a manual crimper which consists of a rack of approprietly sized crimp holes squeezed by bolts, more work than a hydraulic crimpers but just as effective.
I do like the hydraulic for ease of use but the manual one worked fine too, for a bit less money.
Once you have one onboard you'll find your very popular.

[Coltrek]

Finally made a crimper for my 4/0 cables, First tried squeezing in a 5 ton Air Vice, didn't seem up to the task, so I went to a 35 ton Hydraulic press, and that seems to have done the job.

Well, I guess I don't know how to post pictures!

[Coltrek]

4/0000 Lug

[Coltrek]

I will have to say this is not the most intuitive site for uploading pictures! Anyways, this is the tool I made, just a piece of 3/4" 4140, drilled a few holes and sawed it down the middle.