Empathy List Archives

PK

Phil Keys

Tue, Aug 6, 2002 4:52 PM

I too have done gazillions of crimps using a ratchet crimper. It works
great for me. It actually makes two crimps at once, one on the metal wire
ferrule and one on the insulation. I then cover the crimp with adhesive
shrink tube (which doesn't always seal the end). The shrink tube helps
provide strain relief where the wire exits the crimp. After I do each
crimp, I tug it a bit to make sure its secure. Sometimes I crimp it in the
next smaller die to get a firm fit. Anyway I find the ratcheting crimper
easier to use than the inexpensive "plier" type.

For big wire lugs, I use the Ancor "hammer on" crimper. Its inexpensive
and works well. With Ancor lugs, I can use a big pair of pump plier to
sqeeze it rather than hammer on it. The Noble big crimps (e.g. #4 AWG) are
harder to crimp.

Currently I am pulling out and replacing old welding type cable. I've had
experience with the fine strands of welding cable breaking over time due to
vibration. Also I am finding all places where small wires branch off from
bigger wires and fusing them when necessary (less ampacity than the big
wire circuit protection). This is concurrent with replacing two golf cart
batteries with two L-16s. I had to make a battery box (per Calder's book)
when I just barely got inside the engine compartment. After unbolting and
moving over the water heater I think I can drop the batteries down into the
box.

Phil Keys KJ7ET
"Kathy K" Sundowner 30 Tug, hull #3
Port Hadlock, WA 98339
philm@keysfamily.org

I too have done gazillions of crimps using a ratchet crimper. It works great for me. It actually makes two crimps at once, one on the metal wire ferrule and one on the insulation. I then cover the crimp with adhesive shrink tube (which doesn't always seal the end). The shrink tube helps provide strain relief where the wire exits the crimp. After I do each crimp, I tug it a bit to make sure its secure. Sometimes I crimp it in the next smaller die to get a firm fit. Anyway I find the ratcheting crimper easier to use than the inexpensive "plier" type. For big wire lugs, I use the Ancor "hammer on" crimper. Its inexpensive and works well. With Ancor lugs, I can use a big pair of pump plier to sqeeze it rather than hammer on it. The Noble big crimps (e.g. #4 AWG) are harder to crimp. Currently I am pulling out and replacing old welding type cable. I've had experience with the fine strands of welding cable breaking over time due to vibration. Also I am finding all places where small wires branch off from bigger wires and fusing them when necessary (less ampacity than the big wire circuit protection). This is concurrent with replacing two golf cart batteries with two L-16s. I had to make a battery box (per Calder's book) when I just barely got inside the engine compartment. After unbolting and moving over the water heater I think I can drop the batteries down into the box. Phil Keys KJ7ET "Kathy K" Sundowner 30 Tug, hull #3 Port Hadlock, WA 98339 philm@keysfamily.org

AJ

Arild Jensen

Tue, Aug 6, 2002 6:55 PM

Phil Keys wrote:

For big wire lugs, I use the Ancor "hammer on" crimper. Its inexpensive
and works well. With Ancor lugs, I can use a big pair of pump plier to
sqeeze it rather than hammer on it. The Noble big crimps (e.g. #4 AWG) are
harder to crimp.

REPLY
Regarding the "hammer on" crimper.
I have found more than a few inverter installations where this tool caused a
problem. Sometimes it works, but other times the crimp is less than perfect
and there is excess resistance in the connection.
This resistance causes localized heating and excess voltage drops.

For starter cables this is fine, since the high current flow only last a few
seconds but for inverter cables wher the high current is sustained for long
periods of time; any imperfection means excess resistance.

Like the case of a hand plier crimp versus a ratchet crimper, much more
care and experience is needed to use this tool and get consistently good
crimps.

cheers

Arild

Phil Keys wrote: > For big wire lugs, I use the Ancor "hammer on" crimper. Its inexpensive > and works well. With Ancor lugs, I can use a big pair of pump plier to > sqeeze it rather than hammer on it. The Noble big crimps (e.g. #4 AWG) are > harder to crimp. REPLY Regarding the "hammer on" crimper. I have found more than a few inverter installations where this tool caused a problem. Sometimes it works, but other times the crimp is less than perfect and there is excess resistance in the connection. This resistance causes localized heating and excess voltage drops. For starter cables this is fine, since the high current flow only last a few seconds but for inverter cables wher the high current is sustained for long periods of time; any imperfection means excess resistance. Like the case of a hand plier crimp versus a ratchet crimper, much more care and experience is needed to use this tool and get consistently good crimps. cheers Arild

MR

Mark Richter

Tue, Aug 6, 2002 9:37 PM

<<Regarding the "hammer on" crimper.
I have found more than a few inverter installations
where this tool caused a
problem. Sometimes it works, but other times the
crimp is less than perfect>>

Arild,
I find that using the "hammer-on" crimper in my bench
vise is greatly superior to using a hammer. Whenever
possible, I make up my battery cables on the bench,
then install them.

Mark Richter, Winnie the Pooh
Mark's Mobile Marine

Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Health - Feel better, live better
http://health.yahoo.com

<<Regarding the "hammer on" crimper. I have found more than a few inverter installations where this tool caused a problem. Sometimes it works, but other times the crimp is less than perfect>> Arild, I find that using the "hammer-on" crimper in my bench vise is greatly superior to using a hammer. Whenever possible, I make up my battery cables on the bench, then install them. Mark Richter, Winnie the Pooh Mark's Mobile Marine __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Health - Feel better, live better http://health.yahoo.com

AJ

Arild Jensen

Wed, Aug 7, 2002 2:37 AM

Mark wrote

I find that using the "hammer-on" crimper in my bench
vise is greatly superior to using a hammer. Whenever
possible, I make up my battery cables on the bench,
then install them.

REPLY
Yes a good improvisation. Essentially using the leverage of the vice screw to
duplicate the leverage we get with the long handles.

Unfortunately, this doesn't work too well if the cables are run in the boat and it
isn't practical to precut and pre terminate the crimps.
The alternative is to run the cables, cut to lenght, remove and then crimp in a
vice then re-install the wires.

I always worry about doing damage to the gelcoat or flooring. And when the
cables are on a vertical bulkhead it gets real interesting. :-(((

Cheers
Arild

Mark wrote > I find that using the "hammer-on" crimper in my bench > vise is greatly superior to using a hammer. Whenever > possible, I make up my battery cables on the bench, > then install them. REPLY Yes a good improvisation. Essentially using the leverage of the vice screw to duplicate the leverage we get with the long handles. Unfortunately, this doesn't work too well if the cables are run in the boat and it isn't practical to precut and pre terminate the crimps. The alternative is to run the cables, cut to lenght, remove and then crimp in a vice then re-install the wires. I always worry about doing damage to the gelcoat or flooring. And when the cables are on a vertical bulkhead it gets real interesting. :-((( Cheers Arild

CC

Charles Culotta

Wed, Aug 7, 2002 2:54 AM

Mark wrote

I find that using the "hammer-on" crimper in my bench
vise is greatly superior to using a hammer. >

REPLY
Yes a good improvisation
Unfortunately, this doesn't work too well if the cables are run in the

boat and it

isn't practical to precut and pre terminate the crimps.
I always worry about doing damage to the gelcoat or flooring

Arild
_Now I have another reason for that small anvil that is stored in the

engine room.It's surprising how often I use it.
CCC____________________________________________

> Mark wrote > > I find that using the "hammer-on" crimper in my bench > > vise is greatly superior to using a hammer. > > REPLY > Yes a good improvisation > Unfortunately, this doesn't work too well if the cables are run in the boat and it > isn't practical to precut and pre terminate the crimps. > I always worry about doing damage to the gelcoat or flooring > Arild > _Now I have another reason for that small anvil that is stored in the engine room._It's surprising how often I use it. CCC_____________________________________________

trawlers@lists.trawlering.com

RE: TWL: ratchet crimper