[ausev] 2/0 Welding Cable

[Mike Delany]

Copper is trading around $3.50 per pound right now.  2/0 cable is .4 
pounds/foot, so the cost of the copper is about $1.40 per foot, and 
drawing the copper into cable is not a real high overhead operation (like 
turning silicon into chips).  I just bought 4 gauge from lowes for 1.6 
times the price of the copper ($350 for 63 pounds of copper).  You might 
check the home centers and see if they have cable that big because it 
might be cheaper.

Mike

Certified heathen and reformed pacifist

http://www.p1800s.com

On Thu, 24 Aug 2006, Chris Robison wrote:

> I just checked West Marine's website and found 2/0 Battery Cable for
> $15.49 per foot in custom quantities under 50 feet. It's not a secret that
> boating stores are expensive, but honestly I'm blown away.  And note that
> "battery cable" is more cheaply manufactured and typically has fewer,
> coarser strands, making it less flexible and therefore more difficult to
> install in an EV conversion.  This is why nearly everyone uses "welding
> cable" instead, where the strands are very fine.
>
> Compared with even the typical $4 to $4.50 per foot for 2/0 welding cable
> when bought by the foot, the price at West Marine is clearly unrealistic
> given the quantities in which a typical EV requires the stuff.  Maybe the
> marine grade insulation is a plus, but it's not very compelling in an
> automotive environment where your cable runs really need to be be
> protected by conduit anyway.
>
>  --chris
>
>
>
>
> On Thu, August 24, 2006 9:42 am, Herbert Valliant said:
>>
>> A couple of years ago when I moved the battery in my TR7 from the front to
>> the trunk I purchased cable from West Marine at the corner of Burnet and
>> 183. They sold the cable by the foot and also had terminals and crimping
>> tools available. BTW a marine store is a good source of unusual bits and
>> pieces.
>>
>> Sincerely
>> Herb Valliant
>>
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>
>
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