the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
icon

Welding Cable?


Post ReplyPost New Topic
< Prev Topic Next Topic >
Reeceddogg 
Copper - Posts: 329
Copper spacespace
Joined: September 23, 2002
Location: United States
Posted: November 11, 2005 at 10:40 PM / IP Logged  
I was told that for my set up i'd need to runs 2 0ga wires and a 2ga. I was looking at using welding cable or marine wire as they state that their 4/0ga wire can handle loads in excess of 1000 amps, and i'll have a 700amp load just adding up the total fuse sizes, but i'm sure i'll never actually get that high. but any objections to using this kind of wire. i even hear it has the lowest resistance of all wires since it's copper.
RalphWiggum 
Member - Posts: 34
Member spacespace
Joined: January 15, 2004
Location: United States
Posted: November 11, 2005 at 10:46 PM / IP Logged  
Wire is wire...go for it.
chriswallace187 
Gold - Posts: 1,661
Gold spacespace
Joined: March 11, 2002
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Posted: November 11, 2005 at 11:27 PM / IP Logged  
Assuming that's stranded wiring cable, it doesn't sound like a problem. Solid core wire shouldn't be used in a car because it's not capable of handling the vibrations from automotive use, and it can break or the insulation can wear out quickly.
C Renner's Auto Electronix
My service is cheap, quick, and good - pick any two
menace2sobriety 
Silver - Posts: 394
Silver spacespace
Joined: October 29, 2005
Location: United States
Posted: November 12, 2005 at 3:35 AM / IP Logged  

"i even hear it has the lowest resistance of all wires since it's copper"

speaker wire. amp-kit power wire (cable)  and 95 percent of consumer wire is copper.     welding cable has a very soft coating.  I only seen welding cable come in black.

russ lund 
Copper - Posts: 188
Copper spacespace
Joined: April 07, 2004
Location: United States
Posted: November 12, 2005 at 9:28 AM / IP Logged  
Years ago a buddy of mine had welding cable in his vehicle and the judge was trying to "cornhole" him.I stepped in and asked why the point deduction.He tried to feed me the BS line about current likes to "Skin" at the outer circumfrence of a strand of wire,and that more finer strands will carry more current.After he had put his foot fully in his mouth I explained I was an electronics instructor at a local college and my specialty was AC and DC circuits.I informed him that the "skining" effect was for AC not DC.he got as red as a beet and stormed off.Best laugh  I had in years,Go for your cable make sure your ends are crimped good and hang the cable properly
BigDog
jeffchilcott 
Platinum - Posts: 2,483
Platinum spacespace
Joined: April 11, 2002
Location: United States
Posted: November 12, 2005 at 9:56 AM / IP Logged  
the problems I have seen with welding cable is that it is pure copper.   or close to,   most audio cable is coated so it wont corrode.....If you use it in your car make sure all connections are sealed air tight, use some of the rubber dip stuff to seal the ends,   otherwise you will be replacing ends about every 4-6 months
2009 0-1000 Trunk WR 154.0DB 2009 1001+ Trunk WR
2007 USACI World Champion
2007 World Record
2006 USACI Finals 2nd Place
Alpine Guy 
Platinum - Posts: 2,478
Platinum spaceThis member has made a donation to the12volt.com. Click here for more info.spacespace
Joined: October 18, 2003
Location: Canada
Posted: November 12, 2005 at 10:07 AM / IP Logged  

Where are you going to find a 700 amp fuse to protect that wire?

2003 Chevy Avalanche,Eclipse CD7000,Morel Elate 5,Adire Extremis,Alpine PDX-4.150, 15" TC-3000, 2 Alpine PDX-1.1000, 470Amp HO Alt.
audiocableguy 
Copper - Posts: 630
Copper spacespace
Joined: January 27, 2003
Location: Idaho, United States
Posted: November 12, 2005 at 10:39 AM / IP Logged  
Welding Cable works fine. The best I have found is Carol Super-VU tron. Orion and Rockford included the Super Vu tron with the 2100HCCA and the Power 1000. Welding cable doesn't have the flash appeal that the usual car audio brands have but you are getting what you pay for. Usual colors are orange, red, black.
I have also used Marine Grade wire because it is tin plated copper and heavily stranded. West Marine is a good source but it isn't cheap! The Marine Grade wire is 2 to 3 times more expensive than welding cable.
Also get heavy duty crimps for the kinda loads you're talking about. I would recommend crimped, sealed end Crimps with some glue lined heatshrink. Weak gold plated ring terminals just don't cut it for high amperage. I have not been a fan of the compression type fittings. Crimp and Forget!
Look at:
www.waytekwire.com
www.wranglerNW.com
8dfoe regal 
Member - Posts: 3
Member spacespace
Joined: November 12, 2005
Location: United States
Posted: November 12, 2005 at 1:14 PM / IP Logged  

I have an 84 regal with 4 12s in a wall and 4 1000 amps.  welding cable has been very reliable, i use the welding cable to run back to a distribution block and from the block to each amp.  standard fine strand cable has 2400 strands, which can carry more voltage to the amps....try it  you'll see a difference then jus regular amp power wire 

audiocableguy 
Copper - Posts: 630
Copper spacespace
Joined: January 27, 2003
Location: Idaho, United States
Posted: November 12, 2005 at 8:11 PM / IP Logged  
Stranding helps with flexibility not voltage or amperage. 8, 80, 800 or 8,000,000 strands makes no difference on voltage in this application. Solid wire would tend to break due to vibration and is harder to work with. Otherwise it would work just the same.
Tin plated wire has a bit more loss than regular wire due to the slightly higher resistance. Anchor Marine wire recommends one size larger wire to compensate.
Page of 2

  Printable version Printable version Post ReplyPost New Topic
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

  •  
Search the12volt.com
Follow the12volt.com Follow the12volt.com on Facebook
Friday, May 17, 2024 • Copyright © 1999-2024 the12volt.com, All Rights Reserved Privacy Policy & Use of Cookies
Disclaimer: *All information on this site ( the12volt.com ) is provided "as is" without any warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to fitness for a particular use. Any user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy and use of this information. Please verify all wire colors and diagrams before applying any information.

Secured by Sectigo
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
Support the12volt.com
Top
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer