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Hello. I’ve got an old car. (Love the ol’ gal) and I’ve decided to change the battery cables since they’re starting to corrode and get ugly. Completely replacing it, as well as the terminals that clip to the battery poles. Anyhow, I’ve also come up with the idea of installing a Kill Switch, something like this. http://i.imgur.com/7xswWWo.jpg So basically after replacing all the cables, I was thinking of attaching this Kill Switch somewhere along the Negative line from the Battery and attaching it in a nice hidden place. My Question is, since I’m tight for cash.. Can I buy Car Jumper Cables, something like 150amp(Should I go higher?) cut off the clamps, and use the cable itself as my new battery cable. Use it to connect to the Kill Switch and bolt the end of the cable somewhere else to my Frame? My Battery is: Voltage: 12 Amp: 100 Cold Crank: 800 RC: 120 I also ask, will adding roughly 2 meters more length of battery cable change the effectiveness of my battery’s performance to start the car? Basically in short: Can Jumper Leads be used as Battery Cable?
No. Here’s why. Jumper cable wire isn’t usually the same as wiring harness cable. The former is often copper coated aluminum (CCA) wire, while a harness cable is usually pure copper. Test your jumper cable by scraping at the copper: if you find a different colour below, it is CCA or something similar. Do not use this as a splice in your battery harness even if both cables are the same gauge. This is because copper and CCA do not conduct electricity in identical fashions. Moreover, if you were to splice a CCA jumper cable into your harness you would be introducing aluminum wiring, a big no no as it may start a fire. You are much better off simply buying a pre-made cable to solve your problem or have one made up for you. I get mine from del city where they start at about $4 but there are other places that will do it for you as well. You can also buy matching cable by the foot. You can also buy battery splice cables, which are a connector connected to a terminal, about 6 inches long. I use these when I want to change the terminal but not spend $$$ to unnecessarily replace an entire harness. East Penn makes the splices so they are available at del city and some auto parts places. (Psst: ifixit folks–this would be a perfect product for y’all to carry.) Shorter me: get the proper cable. Period. Saving $5 and introducing the risk of destroying your car is a dangerous false economy.
Hi, Wouldn’t it be simpler to just put it in series with the starter motor solenoid operate lead or start relay wiring. That way you wouldn’t have to worry about the battery cabling. This way it also won’t affect anything attached to the battery in case the switch goes faulty. Only the start will be affected, not the running of the engine and associated systems
Anyone to confirm whether it’s safe to cut up some Jumper Cables and use them as my new battery cable? (I just want to use up the spare I have laying around)
