Steve ) wrote:
: I have been buying #00, #0 and #1 battery cable, (the tinned marine grade
: with the fine strands) and the proper lugs. However, my crimping tool will
: only do up to #4 gage.

: I've tried soldering with my 150 watt soldering iron and as others have
: worned, the solder wicks up into the strands, making it to stiff.

: These stiff ends are hard on the electrical terminals that they attach to.
: I want to redo about a dozen lugs that I have concerns about.

: How do all the rest of you crimp or swedge these lugs??

: I've seen a tool that is used by the guys building DIY electric cars and off
: grid elect systems. These were just a steel saddle that the lug/cable end
: rest in and a crimping die is driven down over the open side. They were
: using a heavy hammer for the force and that give me some concern (lack of
: control, etc.).

: I've seen some professional tools in the electrical supply catalogs but they
: are pretty expensive for doing a dozen cable ends. (several hundred
: dollars).

: I'm thinking there should be some kinda die similar to that used for
: NicoPress swedge rigging sleeves. (come to think of it, I have one and I may
: try a test and see if it would work)

: Or perhaps the marine suppliers?? But, then I already have purchased, mail
: order, all of my cable. Not sure they would do it for me..

Perhaps you can find an electrical contractor that has the swage and would
be willing to do your cable ends for a "nominal" fee?

--
Jim Hollenback

my opinion.