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Jumper Cables, recommendations plese.

T

twangnut

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Feb 17, 2011
Messages
48
Location
N W Florida
Suddenly my set (I've had about 18 years) are missing. Strange I saw a set that looked VERY similar to mine in the bed of my 16YO nephew the other day. Hmmm.... Well you know how jumper cables are, when you need them you need them! I believe in the one is none theory so I'm looking to pickup another set. Recommendations please, I'd like to get a good set.

Thanks
Phillip
 
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jon1996

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Oct 18, 2009
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150
Never bought a set, I always make my own, I go to my local welding shop and get good welding cable 4Ga is plenty for automotive use, and then I get the clamp end and make them as long as I want, but they are more expensive this way but you get a set that will last your lifetime and many others,

Last time I was in Sams club I seen a decent looking set for what its worth
 
3

38Chevy454

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Dec 26, 2006
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Location
Cincinnati, OH
larger gage cables the better. Think about your battery cabels on a vehicle, do you think those cheap 10 gage jumper cables can supply sufficient current? Get at least 6 gage.
 
T

TWX

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Apr 1, 2010
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817
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Phoenix
Just check to see what they're made of and if they're thick. I once saw STEEL cable used for jumper cables at harbor freight. It didn't work very well. Looked like whoever designed those cables saw a picture and copied what they saw.
 
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bgott

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Oct 31, 2005
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Houston, TX.
Make a set out of welding cable, about twenty foot long. They will be heavy as hell, so what! You'll be able to pull up behind a car and jump start it without having to turn around or push it back.
 
9

91FE

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Nov 20, 2008
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460
Location
Harleysville, PA
I love it! 4 of the first 6 responses suggest making your own jumper cables instead of buying them... but in a thread about oil changes the other day... the common theme was that it didn't make sense to do it yourself anymore and that the dealer was the best place. :headscrat While I wouldn't go to the trouble of making my own... I sure like the way you boys think.
 
I

ibedayank

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Feb 2, 2011
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2,619
Location
Columbia TN
91FE said:
I love it! 4 of the first 6 responses suggest making your own jumper cables instead of buying them... but in a thread about oil changes the other day... the common theme was that it didn't make sense to do it yourself anymore and that the dealer was the best place. :headscrat While I wouldn't go to the trouble of making my own... I sure like the way you boys think.
Click to expand...

because you can make a set MUCH better and longer than you can buy
 
D

Deltarat

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Nov 29, 2006
Messages
341
DaleK said:
Same as Jon. I like mine longer than normal for working around tractors and combines.
Click to expand...

I built mine for tractors and combines as well 30 years ago and they are still going strong. I have replaced the ends, but the cables are good as new. 20' is just right.
 
S

Stick

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Dec 12, 2007
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2,302
Location
Alaska
It's not the cheapest route, but I use a set of Warn Winch quick connectors with my jumper cables. One quick connector mounted to the front bumper of my truck, one end on a 25' set of 2ga jumper cables, and one end on a 2' jumper cable pigtail (for use with the quick connect jumper cables as standard jumper cables).

Keeps people from borrowing my jumper cables as well when I pull them out and point to the quick connect end. ;)

I'm probably in my set an extra $100 or so in quick connectors and cable, but it's well worth it IMO, just so I don't have to pop the hood.
 
G

gatewaysysop

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Nov 11, 2008
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Location
Arizona
jon1996 said:
Never bought a set, I always make my own, I go to my local welding shop and get good welding cable 4Ga is plenty for automotive use, and then I get the clamp end and make them as long as I want, but they are more expensive this way but you get a set that will last your lifetime and many others,

Last time I was in Sams club I seen a decent looking set for what its worth
Click to expand...

The ones I bought, many moons ago, were 4 gauge and probably 20'. Stout and heavy, they have never let me down. If I were doing it over, I would not want anything smaller though. Stick to 4 gauge or better if you can, you won't regret going big. :thumbup:
 
S

shampoop

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Jul 12, 2009
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Location
SW Washington
jon1996 said:
Never bought a set, I always make my own, I go to my local welding shop and get good welding cable 4Ga is plenty for automotive use, and then I get the clamp end and make them as long as I want, but they are more expensive this way but you get a set that will last your lifetime and many others,

Last time I was in Sams club I seen a decent looking set for what its worth
Click to expand...

+1
They will be WAY WAY more flexible than store bought ones, and be of heavier gauge copper so they will transfer power better. Plus you can use really nice clamps if you want. Very important if jumping GM vehicles.
 
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Kevin54

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Jan 12, 2005
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Urbana, Ohio
One word of advice, never jump someone and let them hook up the cables. Always hook them up yourself.

And to repeat what everyone else has stated, get the largest set you can or get them made out of welding cable, which would be the better of the two.
 
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csp

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Franktown, CO
A

anodyne33

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Jul 8, 2010
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Pittsburgh or there abouts
Kevin54 said:
One word of advice, never jump someone and let them hook up the cables. Always hook them up yourself.
Click to expand...

This one hit home in a really annoying and expensive way after one of the engineers my girlfriend works with gave her a boost last year. A few 40a fuses, several smaller fuses, and a few trips to the shop later and she's finally got a stable electrical system again. The bottom of the PDC still looks like we tried to make S'mores out of it though.
 
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BrokewrenchLS1

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Jul 10, 2011
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1,650
Location
WV
Anyone use the 4AWG cables McMaster sells? I ordered a set a couple days ago along with some other things I needed. Actually slightly cheaper for the jumper set from McMaster than just the 4AWG from the local welding shop.
 
K

Klammer

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Joined
Jul 21, 2010
Messages
48
Location
Wisconsin
twangnut said:
Suddenly my set (I've had about 18 years) are missing. Strange I saw a set that looked VERY similar to mine in the bed of my 16YO nephew the other day. Hmmm.... Well you know how jumper cables are, when you need them you need them! I believe in the one is none theory so I'm looking to pickup another set. Recommendations please, I'd like to get a good set.

Thanks
Phillip
Click to expand...

Wow! I'm losing faith in you guys - 20 responses and not one questioning what the nephew is doing with jumper cables in his bed:eyecrazy:
 
C

Carl B

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Feb 3, 2006
Messages
525
Location
Clearwater, Florida USA
related to recommendations as to which Set To Buy.

Looks like a nice set from MC - the 4 guage 12' long are $54.80, 16' is $64.66
http://www.mcmaster.com/#battery-jumper-cables/=ecnxsw

Craftsman/DieHard 4 gauge/20 ft. $42.99 with a carry bag
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SPM5125846001P?prdNo=5&blockNo=5&blockType=G5

Even Better - 2 gauge/20 ft $89.99
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02807326000P?prdNo=6&blockNo=6&blockType=G6

I've had a Craftsman's Best set {4gauge/16ft.} for about 29 years now - very flexible and very durable. I'd most likely go with the $43.00 set from Sears..

FWIW,
Carl B.
 
K

kblazer87

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Joined
Aug 15, 2005
Messages
2,047
Location
Southeast Indiana
I bought a set of these for each of my childrens car and my wifes car.
Craftsman/DieHard 4 gauge/20 ft. $42.99 with a carry bag
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SPM5125846001P?prdNo=5&blockNo=5&blockType=G5

I have this set in my truck (diesel pickup)
Even Better - 2 gauge/20 ft $89.99
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02807326000P?prdNo=6&blockNo=6&blockType=G6


I bought them back before the price of copper skyrocketed, so I didn't spend this much on them, but they have been good sets and have all been used many, many times in the several years I have had them. If you can make your own from the welding cable likie mentioned above, that is a good option as well.
 
B

BrokewrenchLS1

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Jul 10, 2011
Messages
1,650
Location
WV
Carl B said:
related to recommendations as to which Set To Buy.

Looks like a nice set from MC - the 4 guage 12' long are $54.80, 16' is $64.66
http://www.mcmaster.com/#battery-jumper-cables/=ecnxsw

Craftsman/DieHard 4 gauge/20 ft. $42.99 with a carry bag
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SPM5125846001P?prdNo=5&blockNo=5&blockType=G5

Even Better - 2 gauge/20 ft $89.99
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02807326000P?prdNo=6&blockNo=6&blockType=G6

I've had a Craftsman's Best set {4gauge/16ft.} for about 29 years now - very flexible and very durable. I'd most likely go with the $43.00 set from Sears..

FWIW,
Carl B.
Click to expand...

I just got the 16' from McMaster in today - look well built, good clamps, with plastic "splitters" to keep the wires from separating further where they split out. Comes with a carry bag, too, and pricing them on Jegs, they're about $80 + shipping, so the McMaster price is good.
 
R

Racecarl

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Joined
Oct 25, 2008
Messages
474
Location
McCook, NE
I got a good deal on some 2/0 welding cable so I bought 50' and cut it in half. I then went to Wal Mart and bought 4 vice grips and welded a 3/8X1 bolt on the side near the jaws. I crimped on some heavy duty ends used when making battery cables for a semi. I then bolted the cables to the vice grips. The vice grips are great because I am able to clamp onto a battery cable or starter terminal and I don't have to worry about the cable falling off.

I have close to $100 in these jumper cables and I haven't run into any piece of equipment (capable of starting) that I cannot get started, especially if I am hooked up to my semi with 4 BIG batteries. The downside is that they are REALLY heavy (40-50 lbs) but they get the job done.
 
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