Custom Battery Cables FAQs

Please order on-line. It will save both you and I, time and energy. I'm chronically behind answering emails and paid orders always get the highest priority.

Do you crimp the ends or soldering them and why?

Ends are crimped only. Cables are crimped using a 12 ton hydraulic crimper. It squeezes the cable so tightly that there are no air gaps or spaces (I've seen the pictures of cross sections). Soldering is tough on the insulation and the solder wicks up the wire destroying the flexibility. The manufacturer of the ends recommends crimping.

Soldering also requires flux, hazardous lead solder and solvents (for cleaning the flux). The extra cleaning step adds cost. Besides the ends are crimped so tightly that there is no room for the solder.

So, soldering presents a lot of problems for little or no reward. As a small business, I don't want to deal with chemicals and all the problems they cause.

I'd contend that the crimped connections are so tight that they have lower resistance than soldered terminals... what's the resistance of solder versus the resistance of copper wire?

How soon can you ship my cables?

At this time, this is a part time business for us. (I'm a full time Test Engineer for a major semiconductor manufacturer). My family, friends and I build the cables after our day jobs and on the weekend. We try to always ship cables in a timely manner but sometimes we get behind. We try to build on the weekend and ship on Monday morning. Sometimes we get a little behind and it take a couple weeks.

How will you ship my cables?

I usually ship using USPS priority mail flat rate box. If it a large or especially heavy I might use UPS.

What's the difference between positive and negative cables?

Besides the color, the difference is the size of the battery post. Positive posts are slightly bigger (larger diameter) than the negative posts. That's why those cheap "universal" battery terminals never fit quite right. They're too small for the positive post and too big for the negative.

I have a 50's Ford truck with a flathead V8 and a 6 volt electrical system. What do you recommend for cables?

First, let me congratulate you on your good taste in vehicles. 6V systems take twice as much current to do the same work as 12V systems. So the wires should be sized to handle that increased current. I'd use 2/0. You can't go wrong with that and it does cost much more than 1/0. I would not go any smaller than 1/0.

Can you make me a cable for my <insert your car here>?

If you tell me how long it needs to be, then I'd be happy to make you one. However, at this time I don't have any way to look up how long of a cable a specific application uses. Unfortunate but true. If you know where I can look this info up, or have a book which shows it, please let me know.

I have a Jeep Wrangler with a goofy 2 hole connector on the lead that goes to the junction box. Can you make me a cable with one of those?

I'm working on finding some of those 2 hole connectors. I know that someone makes them I just haven't found who. Most guys cut the end off the factory cable and use it as a jumper between to 2 holes.

My negative cable has a terminal in the middle that grounds to the body, can you make that?

I have some "double barrel" lugs that work as those middle-of-the-cable chassis ground terminals. They only come in limited sizes. Alternatively, you could get a ground cable with an extra wire that goes to the chassis ground. In other words, if the middle-of-the-cable chassis ground is 15 inches down the cable, get a ground cable with a 15 inch aux lead that goes to the chassis ground.

I want to relocate my battery to the trunk. Do you sell a trunk mount kit?

Yes. Buy the battery-to-starter and the battery-to-chassis cables and I'll throw in a free chassis to engine block cable. Mention the "trunk mount deal" when you order the cables.

I ordered the wrong size. Can I exchange it?

Sure. I'll exchange it for a cable that will work for you. But since all cables are custom made, there will be a 40% "gotta let this cable sit on the shelf and hope someone else wants it" fee plus postage.

Do your cables come with a guarantee?

If one of my cables doesn't meet your expectations, I'll replace it for free (excluding shipping) for 1 year from the purchase date. If I made a cable too short or with the wrong ends or wrong gauge, etc, I will replace it promptly, at no charge, including shipping. However, If you asked for the wrong length and I gave you exactly what you asked for, then see my exchange policy above. Liability is limited ONLY to the cable. Misuse or improper installation is beyond my control and I can not be held responsible.

Do you accept credit cards?

I use to take credit card but I found that the fees were too high. After all fees, Chase was charging me over 10% on credit card purchases.

I work for a company which repairs/builds construction equipment and I need a mess of battery cables. Will you offer me an OEM volume discount?

We currently have several commercial customers and we'd be honored to be the OEM battery cable supplier to your company. email me your requirements and I'll send you a bid. (Minimum quantities apply.)

How come you have so many typos in your web site?

Because I work on it when I can't sleep and it was probably the wee hours of the morning when I typed it... or sometimes I work on it in the chemo room at Desert Oncology while I'm mildly high on chemo.

Where's that picture of that Cadillac taken that's on your "error 404" page?

That's not a real picture. It's a picture of Paul's car (which taken on a camping trip at "Round Rocks" near Florence, Arizona) pasted onto a picture of the surface of Mars.

Did you get your question answered? If not email me.

Revised: 09/29/11.