Battery cable size

bowoligist

I am up grading battery cables on a couple of carts I had a roll of cable give to me the out diameter is about equal to a #2 but it has big copper on the inside and is very hard to work with but my concern is with it being so stiff and under rough conditions will it break the connections on the controller my dad says it will not heat up as bad as the same size with smaller copper on the in side, any suggestions on whether to use this or not.

BGW

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sonicj

more copper = higher current carrying capability(less heat). this happens regardless of the flexibility of the cable.

i would try to minimize the stress on the connections as much as possible. they aren't delicate, but they also aren't designed to support a high mechanical load.
-sj

gornoman

That sounds like distribution cable and should NOT BE USED in electric golf carts. The insulation jacket is not rated for the environment and useage. Ideally you want large cable with HUNDREDS of small strands and a neoprene jacket.

Coltf1991

#2 welding cable

wrongway

That's what I used.

Ratnic

Welding cable is good with a lot of stands that help to make the cable very workable (can bend the cable easily without creating a lot of stress). You would say this cable has a very good bend radius.

Another good type cable is DLO, Diesel Locomotive Cable. Used on trains and in mines. Same type cable as welding cable with hundreds of strands, and a heavy neoprene outer jacket. Welding cable is easier to come by.

Welding and DLO cable is constructed to bend easily and take a good beating from being dragged around on the ground.

You want a cable with a lot of strands. For example: A cable with only one single copper core (1 strand) at a #2 size would be very hard to bend, and would have a very high memory, which means it would stay in the position you bend it to. If the cable has a lot of strands then the memory would be low, the cable would flop around in your hands while you moved it around; this would be the welding or DLO type cable.

I am new to the forum, my first post. Just wanted to give a shout out to my old friend DLO type cable.

-Ratnic

wrongway

Welcome!!

bowoligist

Thanks guys I think I will drop back and punt, thanks again for all the replies.

sonicj

Spawn

Sell that wire on craigs list or strip it and take it for scrap and use that money to buy real cart wires.