The lug on my main ground wire isn't looking too great. It's crimped and loose in spots. I don't own the crimping tool. Do most DIY people use solder or best to invest in the tool? Do I want a tinned lug? Silver solder or be a lead head? Hoping to replace just 1 lug for cheap. Instead of buying in a nice kit with multiple sizes.

You can get a lug from Home Depot etc that uses a set screw.You can order a custom cable here: http://www.genuinedealz.com/custom-cablesOr get a crimper. I bought a hydraulic crimper from Harbor Freight. Not perfectly easy to use but has served me well.

I think auto suppliers like NAPA will make up crimped cables. My local marine supplier does the same. I've ordered cables to length with different ends from marine wire suppliers.

I was able to take cable to West Marine and make up a new one using their tools. I bought new cable, crimp terminals and de-oxidation compound from them. the marine multi-strand cable worked great. Coated cable prior to crimping with the de-ox compound.No charge for using their tool.

You need genuine 60/40 electronics solderHardware store solder will not workAmber color hardware solder FLUX is cheap and effective for larger cablesShine old copper with a sharp utility knife blade until all the strands are brand new copper penny bright. Scrape the strands then reshape to round with fingersUse Vise Grips to hold a TIP of the terminal or lug with the wire tube facing upwardHeat the work not the solder with a torchPur a dab of flux in the bottom of the terminal wire wellMelt enough solder to fill the well half fullUSE A RAG TO HOLD THE WIRE AS IT'S GOING TO GET HOTTER THAN HELLGently stick the cable copper into the well while playing the torch on the terminal bodyTHIS IS A SLOW PROCESS When the solder is ready to WICK UP into the copper strands it willDo not push down on the cable it will push molten solder out of the terminalHeating may take a minute or soWhen the solder WICKS UP the copper strands EASE bit by tiny bit the cable down into the terminal wellPATIENCE! this takes time be a craftsman! When copper is fully immersed, pour a bit of water down the wire insulation and watch it sizzleThis does NOT cause a cold solder joint!Cool the work, then examine it. Good solder looks like chrome, bad solder looks like dried chrome aluminum paint.

What type of battery lugs? | Good Sam Community

theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Oct 17, 2018
Boon Docker wrote:
Easy Install Battery Lug

Those are "universal" battery terminals. Not as good as factory pre-made, but plenty adequate. Make sure to coat the terminal and any exposed wire with grease (Vaseline works fine) to prevent corrosion.

And most place sell those for $1-$2 a piece !
mbopp
Explorer
Oct 16, 2018
My battery ground cable went to a grounding bolt on the frame. I replaced the cable with a 4ga starter cable.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Oct 16, 2018
You need genuine 60/40 electronics solder
Hardware store solder will not work
Amber color hardware solder FLUX is cheap and effective for larger cables
Shine old copper with a sharp utility knife blade until all the strands are brand new copper penny bright. Scrape the strands then reshape to round with fingers
Use Vise Grips to hold a TIP of the terminal or lug with the wire tube facing upward
Heat the work not the solder with a torch
Pur a dab of flux in the bottom of the terminal wire well
Melt enough solder to fill the well half full
USE A RAG TO HOLD THE WIRE AS IT'S GOING TO GET HOTTER THAN HELL
Gently stick the cable copper into the well while playing the torch on the terminal body
THIS IS A SLOW PROCESS
When the solder is ready to WICK UP into the copper strands it will
Do not push down on the cable it will push molten solder out of the terminal
Heating may take a minute or so
When the solder WICKS UP the copper strands EASE bit by tiny bit the cable down into the terminal well
PATIENCE! this takes time be a craftsman! When copper is fully immersed, pour a bit of water down the wire insulation and watch it sizzle
This does NOT cause a cold solder joint!
Cool the work, then examine it. Good solder looks like chrome, bad solder looks like dried chrome aluminum paint.
enblethen
Nomad
Oct 16, 2018
I was able to take cable to West Marine and make up a new one using their tools. I bought new cable, crimp terminals and de-oxidation compound from them. the marine multi-strand cable worked great. Coated cable prior to crimping with the de-ox compound.
No charge for using their tool.
phillyg
Explorer II
Oct 16, 2018
I think auto suppliers like NAPA will make up crimped cables. My local marine supplier does the same. I've ordered cables to length with different ends from marine wire suppliers.
time2roll
Nomad
Oct 16, 2018
You can get a lug from Home Depot etc that uses a set screw.

You can order a custom cable here: http://www.genuinedealz.com/custom-cables

Or get a crimper. I bought a hydraulic crimper from Harbor Freight. Not perfectly easy to use but has served me well.
Boon_Docker
Explorer III
Oct 16, 2018
Easy Install Battery Lug

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