1/0 lugs with hydraulic crimper

I much prefer cast copper and choose lugs and terminals one size larger for whatever AWG wire I am crimping to. I.E. 3/0 lugs for 2/0 AWG wire. Works like a charm.

But then I solder the sucker solid.

SCVJeff wrote:
I get them as well, but I crimp my 4/0 lugs in steps with an intermediate set of dies, that pre-squeezes the lug. The final die set gets two crimps rotated in different positions, and that all but eliminates the issue.

That's a good looking crimp. Think I'll try your method.

For my 1/0 lugs, I'll start with a #70 partial crimp, rotate, do another partial. Just crimping enough to allow me to get a #50 die around the lug. And then a full crimp, rotate, and another full with the #50.

I get them as well, but I crimp my 4/0 lugs in steps with an intermediate set of dies, that pre-squeezes the lug. The final die set gets two crimps rotated in different positions, and that all but eliminates the issue.

MrWizard wrote:
Tags ? I always called them Ears !
But they are not an electrical issue, simply cosmetic

That's the word I was looking for!.

And Smkettner, think I'd rather have larger ears but tighter compression between lug and wire by using a smaller die. No?

I use a larger die to reduce the ears.

Tags ? I always called them Ears !
But they are not an electrical issue, simply cosmetic

hedge wrote:
I'm not sure about the tags but I have a hydraulic crimper from ebay and the directions on mine specify the 50 dies for 1/0, although you'd think that would make the tags worse.
...

Hmmm, you're right. But I agree the tags will probably only be worse with #50 dies.

Although the 1/0 cable fit in just fine, I had a hard enough time getting the #70 die around my 1/0 lugs, so maybe they're over-thick somehow.

Will try again next week (hopefully) ...

I too have only done the 2-AWg and 4-AWG ANCOR brand cables with excellent results.. This is using my MIC-70 8-Ton Hand Crimper I have had since 2009.

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I would almost start worrying about my hand crimper start squirting oil on those larger size cables...

I don't think my 8-ton capacity model is large enough for those larger cable sizes even tho it comes with the die's for them...

At my work sites back in the day the 6-0 cables used a hugh tool to crimp them... Was a two person operation...

My 220Ah to 440Ah capacity battery banks will do me just fine using 2AWG and 4AWG size cables using my 60A DC Current PD9260C converter/charger for charging batteries. Using my clamp-on Sears AMPMETER I usually see DC current around 52-55AMPS of DC Current being pulled at the 14.4VDC DC Voltage charging modes... I also use this clamp-on AMPMETER to see the equal balance of DC Current going to the multiple battery connections when I am in charging mode. Great test meter to have around my battery banks...

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Roy Ken

I'm not sure about the tags but I have a hydraulic crimper from ebay and the directions on mine specify the 50 dies for 1/0, although you'd think that would make the tags worse. I haven't done any 1/0 but the 2 gauge and 4 gauge I did came out great with just a nice hex crimp.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/16-Ton-Hydraulic-Wire-Crimper-Battery-Cable-Lug-Terminal-Crimping-Tool-11-Dies-/331789934007?hash=item4d40389db7:g:bdcAAOSwe7BW0qFo