hex crimpers for battery lugs / terminals - recommendations?

[R-mm]

Hi all

I have a hammer crimper which works just fine. I'm going to be wiring up a car or two and sometimes find myself making parts to sell / give forum members. So I'd like something better than the hammer crimper. Next up project is are some short 2AWG jumpers with these terminals; https://www.waytekwire.com/product/crimpable-battery-lug-36303-negative-post

TEMCo TH0006 looks like a nice hydraulic kit with all the dies I need. At a price the whole family can agree on, shipped free.

This one from Powerwerx is about the same price. Shipping is a bit harsh at $32. https://powerwerx.com/hyd-2-hydraulic-crimping-tool

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[38 Dodge Coupe]

After many years of making due, I bought the Sanuke Hydraulic Crimping tool with cable cutter last month off of Amazon. It was a returned item so they discounted it, but for all practical purposes it had never been used as far as I could tell. I needed it to make terminal ends for an auxillary battery that I added to my GMC. I surprised myself as my first crimp was perfect!

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[cgrutt]

I have that TEMco its a nice set.

 

[no704]

Have a cheap set from Amazon. Works great.

 

[bluedog225]

The Temco are nice. Free replacement (for any reason). Need to check is still the case.

Instructions are not great. Something like “continue until you feel resistance.”

Better to eyeball the gap between the dies and stop before you bottom out. I broke one with too much pressure.

 

[rjacobs]

ive got a cheapie from Amazon that has made plenty of big cable crimps.

 

[WisJim]

We had a cheap one that did up to 4/00 cable that I used for battery and inverter cables for solar and wind electric systems and my son still has it, I think, and uses it for electric vehicle cables. I'm sure it was under $100 and worked fine for us.

 

[gtae07]

ive got a cheapie from Amazon that has made plenty of big cable crimps.

Same. I crimp till I hit the limit and the relief opens. It did all the 2AWG and 6AWG cables on the airplane and the golf cart just fine.

 

[rjacobs]

This is the one I have from Amazon, just a different color. Done down to 2 gauge with it and heavy duty tin plated copper lugs, not the cheap thin straight copper lugs.

https://www.amazon.com/AMZCNC-Hydraulic-Battery-Terminal-Crimping/dp/B097YGPK1S/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[rollinlower]

https://www.amazon.com/Brileine-Hydraulic-Crimping-Terminal-crimping/dp/B0CQD4MSSG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

this is the one i use doing stereo and just about everything and never had any problems with it .

 

[rlitman]

...heavy duty tin plated copper lugs, not the cheap thin straight copper lugs...

That makes all the difference. I tend to use FTZ Industries Power Lugs. Looks like they're nVent now.

 

[rjacobs]

That makes all the difference. I tend to use FTZ Industries Power Lugs. Looks like they're nVent now.

I buy most all of my stuff from

Home - CE Auto Electric Supply - Automotive Electrical Solutions

ceautoelectricsupply.com

The heat shrink he sells for making battery cables is stupid thick...

Everything I got from him was top top quality.

 

[Criss]

Not want the OP wants but this company has some nice equipment.
For power lugs I use this dieless indent crimper 8AWG to 0000AWG (4/0) and cutter from TEMco. Pretty much bombproof tools. I've never had a lug come loose.

Dieless Indent Lug Crimping Tool 8 AWG to 0000 AWG(4/0)

temcoindustrial.com

TEMCo TH0002 18" 400 MCM ELECTRICAL WIRE & CABLE CUTTER

temcoindustrial.com

 

[gte718p]

Th dies are market wrong, but honestly the HF crumpets are pretty good. I have mad dozens of EVs using them.

 

[mm08822]

Lugs have to be sized for the specifics of the conductor. The strand count within the conductor is a major factor in lug size selection.
Dies may be impacted by this as well.

Reputable Manufacturers have the these details in their products' cut sheets.

 

[mm08822]

Before heat shrinking the crimped lugs, make sure there is no lead squeeze-out occurring where the die sections meet.

Otherwise the squeeze -out can be razor sharp and cut the shrink wrap.

 

[BreeStephany]

I have that TEMco its a nice set.

I also have the TEMCO set and it does great for what it does. It's essentially the same frame and general design as the HF version, but actually holds oil and doesn't leak right out of the box AND there are rare earth magnets in the die holders that keep the dies in place which was a very nice surprise when I bought it.

It does everything up to 2/0, for 3/0 - 750 KCM, I have a Greenlee compound crimper, but haven't been doing a lot of crimps over 4/0 these days so I haven't really felt the need to jump the fence for a nice Milwaukee ForceLogic set as of yet.

 

[cgrutt]

I also have the TEMCO set and it does great for what it does. It's essentially the same frame and general design as the HF version, but actually holds oil and doesn't leak right out of the box AND there are rare earth magnets in the die holders that keep the dies in place which was a very nice surprise when I bought it.

It does everything up to 2/0, for 3/0 - 750 KCM, I have a Greenlee compound crimper, but haven't been doing a lot of crimps over 4/0 these days so I haven't really felt the need to jump the fence for a nice Milwaukee ForceLogic set as of yet.

Not sure but don't believe HF includes the "+" size dies either.

 

[Firebrick43]

Th dies are market wrong, but honestly the HF crumpets are pretty good. I have mad dozens of EVs using them.

I like tea with my crumpets, not dies

 

[Buckgnarly]

Harbor Freight has been solid for me.

 

[BreeStephany]

Not sure but don't believe HF includes the "+" size dies either.

Yes, the Temco set has a larger variety of dies and they produce much better crimps in my experience.