Large wire crimping

[rtadams89]

I need to crimp some (only 4) connectors onto 00 gauge wire and the standard method I find seems to be using a hydraulic crimper. I do not have a hydraulic crimper. Should I spring for a cheap hydraulic crimper and a hand operated hydraulic ram pump (maybe DIY the pump: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbFKSy9oA0A) or can I get away with a set of crimping dies in my bench vise? Or perhaps there is an even easier/cheaper/better option I'm not thinking of?

 

[juanprado]

2 easier ways I have used if you have the solder type terminal is to use a propane torch and vise to melt the pellet. On the crimp terminals, I have used a sledgehammer against concrete. Once you verify a solid connection, then insulate with heat shrink tubing.

 

[rtadams89]

I suppose the "wack it into submission with a hammer" approach would be the easiest/cheapest.

 

[sigo]

The hydraulic crimper from harbor freight isn't too expensive and it works great. I usually solder and crimp my big terminals.

 

[rtadams89]

The hydraulic crimper from harbor freight isn't too expensive and it works great. I usually solder and crimp my big terminals.

I was looking at that. I would need to get or make a hydraulic pump. I was also thinking about just getting some of the dies and using them in a vise.

 

[sigo]

This is the tool I was referring to. It's self contained, no other pump required. It'll crimp your terminals with ease.

http://m.harborfreight.com/hydraulic-wire-crimping-tool-66150.html

Before I got this I used a vise, but I was rebuilding some battery cables and decided I wanted a cleaner more reliable crimp. This tool has lived up to my expectations, and four years or so later it still works. I don't say that often about HF tools.

 

[319]

This is the tool I was referring to. It's self contained, no other pump required. It'll crimp your terminals with ease.

http://m.harborfreight.com/hydraulic-wire-crimping-tool-66150.html

Before I got this I used a vise, but I was rebuilding some battery cables and decided I wanted a cleaner more reliable crimp. This tool has lived up to my expectations, and four years or so later it still works. I don't say that often about HF tools.

I have this tool. Except for the dies being grossly mismarked, it makes a great crimp with very little effort.

 

[rtadams89]

Ahh, awesome, I hadn't seen that one before. I was thinking of the one which requires a separate pump. That seems like the best way to do it, and cheap enough.

 

[MWMULES]

I went to my local alt/gen rebuild shop and they crimped them for free. I then went to the closest donuts shop and brought them back a doz!

 

[Cape Coastie]

I use one of these at work for all my terminal connections for yacht battery cables. A quick whack with a 3 pound hammer and some shrink wrap and they never come apart. Does several different sizes. Not too expensive either. Good luck.

 

[rtk]

I use the same tool as Cape Coastie and it works great and is CHEAP , lasts forever . Use a little shrink wrap and you should be good to go . I made up a set of cable end for my military jumper set , worked out great .

 

[tobyS]

Don't forget liberal anti-corrosion compound. It helps to lube the strands as they are compressed into place and then prevents oxidation that is especially a problem in DC circuits.

When I did heat rise testing for UL listing, we tried all kinds of anti-corrosion compounds (for affecting the electric carrying capacity). we found Vaseline was consistently among the best, but Noalox probably handles higher heats.