[ausev] 2/0 Welding Cable

[Chris Robison]

Oops ... this was supposed to go to the list instead of just to Mike...


---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: Re: [ausev] 2/0 Welding Cable
From:    "Chris Robison" <eeyore at phototropia.org>
Date:    Thu, August 24, 2006 6:08 pm
To:      "Mike Delany" <mike at p1800s.com>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unfortunately, they don't sell welding cable (except for the small gauge
stuff they sell in small boxed rolls near the welders, I think it's 4
gauge).  As far as I know the only large single-conductor stuff they sell
by the foot is THHN, which at 2/0 is basically impossible to bend by hand.

I think the high count of very thin (30AWG) strands, and the thick
neoprene insulation adds a bit to the price, over the cost of the copper.

They do sell heavy multi-conductor SO cable though, which is great for
making 240V extension cords.  Although I like the stuff at Lowes better,
because it's bright yellow instead of black.   :o)

  --chris





On Thu, August 24, 2006 5:09 pm, Mike Delany said:
> 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
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> AusEV mailing list
>>> AusEV at austinev.org
>>> http://www.austinev.org/mailman/listinfo/ausev
>>>
>>
>>
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>