Low Gauge Crimper in DFW area anyone?

[Chexi]

I hate to ask this, but in my restoration/improvement, etc. job on my 99 Air Nautique, it looks like I am going to have to crimp one 2 gauge wire. I really do not want to spend $170 (cheapest I could find) for a crimper to crimp 1 wire. Does anyone in the DFW area have a low gauge hex wire crimper that I could borrow or rent? I tried Home Depot tool rental, but they do not have them (which is not too surprising since they do not sell automotive wire).

If anyone has any other ideas about tool rental places, that would be great too. I just hate to buy an expensive tool that I will use once.

To those that wonder why I need to crimp 1 and only 1 wire, I am adding a Blue Seas relay and battery switch system. This necessitates a few extra wires than what I presently (which is just a Perko switch). I am buying the extra wires from Genuinedealz.com and they will put ends on for me for a very reasonably price. However, my starter cable (2 AWG), which was hooked up to the Perko, now will need to be hooked up to the Blue Seas switch. The problem is that the Perko switch is a 5/16" terminal and the Blue Seas is a 3/8" terminal. So, to get the ideal fit (i.e., without filing out the middle of the existing terminal), I need to cut off the existing terminal and replace it with a 3/8" terminal. Truly maddening.

I thought of a possible solution of buying a small 2 AWG cable with a 3/8" end and getting an in-line fuse holder and putting a 300 AMP or perhaps even a 500AMP ANL fuse in there, and then just connecting the two cables at the fuse holder but I just don't feel great about that "solution" on the starter wire. If anyone has any better ideas (that does not require a crimper), I'm all ears.

[8122pbrainard]

RE: Low Gauge Crimper in DFW area anyone?

You may want to try a decent auto supply like Napa. Some will have the crimper for making up special cables. The other option is to look for compression type cable ends. Even another that I've used is to solder the lugs on. Use a rosin core solder.

[Chexi]

RE: Low Gauge Crimper in DFW area anyone?

For someone as smart as I like to think I am, I am really stupid sometimes. I will simply use the Perko switch as a coupler. Then all I need is a new piece of wire with a 5/16" on one end and a 3/8" on the other. *smacks forehead*

[WakeSlayer]

RE: Low Gauge Crimper in DFW area anyone?

I think Pete's idea of soldering it makes way more sense than adding/keeping the Perko as a connector. Everyone needs a solder gun, and they are cheap.

[Chexi]

I have a solder gun (although I just bought it 2 weeks ago and have never soldered in my life... yet), but I have heard mixed reviews about soldering a new lug on. More importantly, the Perko solves another problem that I really did not go into, which is that the length of the starter cable at present makes it to the new switch location, but just barely. When I cut off the end, it's going to get really tight, especially since the way I am mounting it, I have to either run it to the far end of the Blue Seas switch (in order to be on the correct side for the relay), or I need to cross my lines from the switch to the relay (due to the B <-- A direction of the relay). With the Perko in there as a coupler, it gives me the freedom to get a new cable as long as i want. I have an extra Perko switch just in case it ever goes, but it has probably been in there for the last 10 years, hooked to the starter, and not had a problem. Don't mean to be argumentative (especially with you Wakeslayer... after all you have helped me a ton already), but it just seems like the simplest solution to all my problems (with this little tiny portion of my many boat projects).

[8122pbrainard]

I have a solder gun (although I just bought it 2 weeks ago and have never soldered in my life... yet), but I have heard mixed reviews about soldering a new lug on.

If you do end up soldering you'll need more heat than a soldering gun will produce. A soldering iron or propane torch is needed. You are filling the complete socket of the lug with solder and the wire strands. Actually it creates a better connection than crimping plus it becomes water tight. The lugs I've used the solding method on, is on electric fork lifts and "walkies". Lots of amps there! You do need the proper size lug for the wire gauge.

[Chexi]

I meant to say soldering iron. I never knew there was a difference lol!

[Grant_West]

You can solder it. This is how you should do it. Get the crimp. Put it in a Vice grip. Get a propane torch. I say this because most people DONT have a Solder Iron that can melt that much solder @ 1 time. A propane torch is a poor mans way of doing this. Get the crimp hot enough so that you can melt the solder in the crimp. The solder should look like a pot of molten metal in the crimp hot as ****. Then take the wire and put it into the molten solder inside the crimp. You will have to hold the wire in the crimp till it cools enough to make the connection. Like 30-60 seconds. It will make a good connection. I have the tool you need but I will be using the **** out of it in the next few week's

[WakeSlayer]

^^True^^ I was being a bit generic there when I said gun. I used a torch on my heavy gauge wiring for stereo, starter, perko, etc.

[Murphy_Smith]

You are in luck

I have a professional battery crimper that will handle up to a 4/0 guage wire. I also live in the DFW area. I have attached a link to the one I have. I like to crimp it usuing my vice grip as it really cranks down on the battery lug and leaves it lookin very clean.

Give me a shout on my cell and we can get this done this weekend. It will be on the house.

Murphy

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...p;classNum=238

[Chexi]

RE: You are in luck

Thanks Murphy. I don't think I'll have the lugs yet by this weekend, but maybe. What lake do you go out on?

[Murphy_Smith]

RE: You are in luck

We typically go out on lake lewisville. If you are intersted just let me know and we can arrange a time to do it.

[Chexi]

RE: You are in luck

Thanks Murphy. I really appreciate the offer. I will let you know.

Let's see that Nautique of yours.

[Murphy_Smith]

RE: You are in luck

I have a Malibu

[Chexi]

It's okay. We forgive you. :grin: My other boat is a Tige, but don't tell anyone here.