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Almot's avatar
Almot
Explorer III
Jan 22, 2017

Better cable clamps?

Several nylon cable clamps cracked after two hot summers - can't say exactly how hot it was inside the closed trailer with 105 outside. The clamp is 3/8 by Gardner-Bender, the cable is a pair of #10 solar panel cables routed inside the cabinets. They are tight with two #10 cables, and I like it this way. Could've used 1/2" size. There is a bend/tension here, but several of them cracked, on the straight runs as well:


Is there anything better? I saw 1/2" plastic staples of a harder plastic, the weird thing is that they come with nails, don't have a nail gun and prefer screws for trailer:

8 Replies

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  • Almot's avatar
    Almot
    Explorer III
    Jan 24, 2017
    Rock - temperature explanations make sense. Varying temps together with tension in the clamp can do this. It can go from 75 to 35 in one day there.
  • rockhillmanor's avatar
    rockhillmanor
    Explorer II
    Jan 23, 2017
    X2 on the cushion/metal clamps.

    What people don't realize is all plastic clamps and including zip strips. There is a temperature rating written in small print on the package labels.

    I'm sure the RV manuf buy the cheapest ones without regard to temp ratings.

    I used zip stips to attached a canopy up North. When the temps fell I literally watched each and every one just crack open one by one. That is how 'I' found out about the high/low temp ratings on the labels.

    The better the temp rating is the more expensive the zip strip cost was.
  • Almot's avatar
    Almot
    Explorer III
    Jan 22, 2017
    I wonder how they specify the size in those rubber coated clamps. Ex, 3/8 broken nylon clamps were pretty tight with two #10 solar cables. In cushion clamps is it 3/8 opening btw rubber jaws or you can squeeze in 3/8 max while compressing the rubber? Have to go to Home Depot and measure. Amazon have it cheaper and stainless though.

    Edit - ops...
    They don't have it in HD Canada.
  • Toddupton's avatar
    Toddupton
    Explorer
    Jan 22, 2017
    Or you can use the staples you show and pull out the nails and add screws.

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