Sourcing DIY battery cable 12/2 flat

[tomjasz]

I just spent far too much time trying to find the same wire Grin sells. Anyone? @PedalUma

CUSTOMIZE 12G CUSTOM LENGTH BATTERY EXTENSION CABLE

CABLE LENGTH IN CM (QTY FIELD IS CM LENGTH)
12 Gauge Flexible Battery Cable + USD$0.10
Custom Length Flexible Flat 12 Gauge Battery Cable, price per cm Click Here for detailed product info page
12 GAUGE FLEXIBLE BATTERY CABLE +

 

[AHicks]

I bought something similar off a bulk roll at Home Depot (black and white). It's intended use is for something like a circular saw replacement cord, so it needs to be/stay pretty flexible and use that high strand count wire.

 

[6zfshdb]

I buy this super flexible 12ga silicone insulated wire in bulk:

Robot or human?

It's also available in shorter lengths on Amazon at a better price.

It's very easy to get sharp bends when making up a custom wiring harness. Once I get the length & shape I want, I use heat shrink tubing for casing.

 

[kmccune]

I bought something similar off a bulk roll at Home Depot (black and white). It's intended use is for something like a circular saw replacement cord, so it needs to be/stay pretty flexible and use that high strand count wire.

SJ cord I believe, the big advantage of wire like this is flexibility, solid NM or similar is very stiff, what kills me is the tiny gauge wires controllers are festooned with basically the only way I strip those is with a butane lighter, they are so fragile, I dont burn it off I soften it and pull it off.

 

[tomjasz]

I buy this super flexible 12ga silicone insulated wire in bulk:

A total disaster trying to crimp and fit Anderson connectors. IME. Far to soft and flexible. As always YMMV

 

[kmccune]

A total disaster trying to crimp and fit Anderson connectors. IME. Far to soft and flexible. As always YMMV

Have you tried "Wagu" connectors or the kind of butt connector that has solder incorporated, with heat shrink already installed? so far these things are working well for me, I take it you do not like "XT" connectors( I usually use XT 60 connectors for power, the XT 90 is available with an anti-spark feature, you can tell by the green marking.
Anymore I generally use a "western Union type splice and slide the incorporated connector over it and use a heat gun to melt the solder and shrink sleeve, just a thought

 

[6zfshdb]

A total disaster trying to crimp and fit Anderson connectors. IME. Far to soft and flexible. As always YMMV

Gave me fits too at first. The trick is to apply solder to the wire end before crimping.

 

[AHicks]

A total disaster trying to crimp and fit Anderson connectors. IME. Far to soft and flexible. As always YMMV

Yep, YMMV. If Anderson connectors don't work, there are quite a few alternate choices. Then there's also the potential for solder....

 

[tomjasz]

Yep, YMMV. If Anderson connectors don't work, there are quite a few alternate choices. Then there's also the potential for solder....

I prefer Anderson connectors. I have XT90, XT60 yellow and black and I often cut and shorten a harness and solder. For crimping I avoid silicon wire and it's extremely soft flexible nature.Tinning is helpful but it's still a bit of a nuisance.

 

[tomjasz]

Have you tried "Wagu" connectors or the kind of butt connector that has solder incorporated, with heat shrink already installed? so far these things are working well for me, I take it you do not like "XT" connectors( I usually use XT 60 connectors for power, the XT 90 is available with an anti-spark feature, you can tell by the green marking.
Anymore I generally use a "western Union type splice and slide the incorporated connector over it and use a heat gun to melt the solder and shrink sleeve, just a thought

I guess I did a poor job of posting and leading readers think I was looking for an alternative. I have several choices in my kit.

I just prefer Anderson connectors on my low power builds. I use my soldering gear to make adapters when I need them but have no good reason to continue soldering connectors. Luna and others were behind a big push towards XT90-S. I used them with my BBSHD kits, but they're really overkill IMO on 36V 15-20A builds.

I do appreciate your post others may not be aware of alternatives.

Yes on the western union splice, I find it difficult with Lower AWG values. Lower number bigger strand. It's much more effective with single wire cores.

460 × 818

 

[6zfshdb]

I prefer Anderson connectors. I have XT90, XT60 yellow and black and I often cut and shorten a harness and solder. For crimping I avoid silicon wire and it's extremely soft flexible nature.Tinning is helpful but it's still a bit of a nuisance.

I never leave any of the silicone insulation exposed. It is definitely too fragile. Once I have the custom wiring harness cut and shaped, I cover it all with shrink. For simple, straight runs, I still use cable similar to that sold by Grin.

For runs exposed to possible abrasion or rough service, I use this 12/2 with molded jacket:

12 AWG - 2 Conductor - 600V - Stranded Conductor - Unshielded - VNTC Tray Cable - Per Foot

Per FT | 12 AWG | 2 Conductor | Bare Copper | VNTC (600V) | 90°C (194°F) | UL Listed | Unshielded

www.showmecables.com

 

[tomjasz]

Gave me fits too at first. The trick is to apply solder to the wire end before crimping.

Posted my last comment before reading yours. You of course are spot on. In some applications I don't thinkI need the heat protection and flexibility of silicon wire.

 

[tomjasz]

I use this 12/2 with molded jacket:

PERFECT!! Exactly what I stalled on finding. THANK YOU!!!

 

[Gionnirocket]

I never leave any of the silicone insulation exposed. It is definitely too fragile. Once I have the custom wiring harness cut and shaped, I cover it all with shrink. For simple, straight runs, I still use cable similar to that sold by Grin.

For runs exposed to possible abrasion or rough service, I use this 12/2 with molded jacket:

12 AWG - 2 Conductor - 600V - Stranded Conductor - Unshielded - VNTC Tray Cable - Per Foot

Per FT | 12 AWG | 2 Conductor | Bare Copper | VNTC (600V) | 90°C (194°F) | UL Listed | Unshielded

www.showmecables.com

I've installed quite a bit of this on an industrial scale... Pretty durable though it doesn't have the high strand count preferred in dc applications. That said when used in the short runs we are talking about, I'd use it without a second thought.
On my eBike I used something very similar with a slightly higher strand count that I had left over from a HVAC MiniSplit installation..... the electrons seem to like it.

 

[tomjasz]

I've installed quite a bit of this on an industrial scale... Pretty durable though it doesn't have the high strand count preferred in dc applications. That said when used in the short runs we are talking about, I'd use it without a second thought.
On my eBike I used something very similar with a slightly higher strand count that I had left over from a HVAC MiniSplit installation..... the electrons seem to like it.

Out of stock and OUCH un shipping. Trying to find locally. I only need 10'. And no I spent my First Communion money but refuse to part with the Confirmation dollars.

 

[Gionnirocket]

Out of stock and OUCH un shipping. Trying to find locally. I only need 10'. And no I spent my First Communion money but refuse to part with the Confirmation dollars.

I'd try your local Electrical Supply... they'll probably have a few to choose from, but 2 conductor might be a problem as 3 and up are more common. They might even extend you credit if you use your Confirmation $$ as collateral.

 

[6zfshdb]

Out of stock and OUCH un shipping. Trying to find locally. I only need 10'. And no I spent my First Communion money but refuse to part with the Confirmation dollars.

Wow! I didn't see the new prices. It's been over a year since I last ordered. I guess I'm going to have to find another source when my supply is gone.