Battery cables - What's up??

Mayfair

Hey guys,

Since the season is getting ready to start, i figured it was time to get the cart ready. When I lifted the seat to look underneath, the first thing that I noticed is that one or two of the cables look "swelled", and the ends corroded. I figured I'd just replace all of the cables with fresh ones and be done with it.

Going to various cart sites, they want upwards of $170.00 for 7 cables. Can someone please tell me why? Is there something super dooper about them? If so, what is it? I can get 7 battery cables at any local auto parts store for right around $40. Why are cart cables $130 more?

Thanks!

BGW

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GLEEMO

U have to go to a welding supply store, auto cables just will not last.

Check some of the site sponsors above !

sonicj

the battery bay is a damp, corrosive environment. cables not properly prepared for such will likely succumb to corrosion much more quickly. properly built, quality 4 awg or better cables are paramount for the best performance, safety and proper operation of your existing electrical components. $170 is a bit much for 4awg imo.
-sj

Mayfair

The cables that I was looking at are also 4awg



Features & Benefits Made Of Quality Copper Conductor w/ Cast Antimonial Lead Universal Terminals, Full-Gauge Stranded Copper Core Is Flexible For Easy Installation & Maximum Current For Quick Starting; Copper Core Extends To The End Of The Plated Lug To Give A One-Piece Solid Connection, Meets SAE Standards, PVC Insulation
Warranty Limited Lifetime
Attributes # of Leads : 1
Battery Cable End Type : Lug
Battery Cable Gauge(s) : 4 ga
Battery Cable Length : 18"

http://www.napaonline.com/Search/Det...145_0006361900

GLEEMO

Don't get us wrong these will work. But U need to realize we are mostly Die Hard enthusiast and U get what U pay for. So the More strands , the more flexible , higher the gage the more current. But in some case economics $$ come into play .
And that is U'r call

sonicj

ehh.... i would go with someone like these guys: genuinedealz.com/

they are very experienced, have the proper tools and will build to order for a reasonable rate.

langstonjones

These are some prices I just paid to redo cabling on my cart. Besides the invoice below, I bought 50ea. 4 AWG connectors in 1/4" and 5/16" from another vendor for $55 shipped. And this doesn't include time to assemble or the Pabst Blue Ribbon's (REQUIRED!!) to complete the task . "Pay me now or pay me later" is what I've always been told. You can pay a little more to do it right or keep paying a lot more to do it wrong.

2 AWG Tinned Lug Cable Crimp Connector End 1/4 in Genuinedealz.com 13178880 10 $1.15 $11.50
2 AWG Tinned Lug Cable Crimp Connector End 5/16 in Genuinedealz.com 13178881 20 $1.15 $23.00
4 Gauge AWG Welding Cable Rubber Insulated - Black per ft Genuinedealz.com 13178882 50 $1.50 $75.00
Solder Slug Pellet for 2awg lug or terminal - pack of 2 Genuinedealz.com 13178883 15 $1.13 $16.95
Solder Slug Pellet for 4awg lug or terminal - pack of 2 Genuinedealz.com 13178884 25 $1.13 $28.25
Tax $0.00
Shipping $0.00
Total = $154.70

If you gotta skimp on money, I'm sure you have an anniversary or something you could do that on but you don't want an upset wife and cart.

GLEEMO

Dang , think it would be easier to get a set from CPP or scottyB

U skip on the anniversary and U may not have a cart

sonicj

cpp's cables look like they came from napa. i prefer my lugs tinned and crimped.
-sj

crash12888

Mayfair, keep in mind there is a huge difference between automotive cables and golf cart cables.
Automobiles use large amps to crank a motor, but usually 10 to 15 seconds max, then returns to a low voltage system that is running only charging amps back to the battery through those cables and lower system amps for the rest of the car.

A golf cart uses those same very high amps but on a continious usage system to operate the cart while in motion.

Short of the story is there are several types of "4" ga wire. Auto cable has a lower strand count, cheaper lug installations, cheaper insulation itself because it doesn't run the amps long enough to heat up and melt the insulation.

My opinion is spend it once and don't look back. Call scotty or the sponsors and git er done right.