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aftermarket battery cables and connectors

D

dieselenthusiast

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Zuni Mountains, New Mexico
Are the OE battery cables sufficient on the XJ, or are there aftermarket heavy duty replacement cables?

Also, where can I buy really nice battery connectors? These stock ones are in bad shape and in need for replacement. I have a 2000 XJ. Thanks for the help!
 
I made my own just because I had the materials and tools needed for the project. My cables are 1/0 which is way over kill but its what I had. I used the info available on 5-90s site to make mine. Id buy from him if I didn't have the stuff.. I've heard they are very well made.. plus he helped me out, he doesn't know it but he did! Thanks 5-90
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mxracer624 said:
I made my own just because I had the materials and tools needed for the project. My cables are 1/0 which is way over kill but its what I had. I used the info available on 5-90s site to make mine. Id buy from him if I didn't have the stuff.. I've heard they are very well made.. plus he helped me out, he doesn't know it but he did! Thanks 5-90
ResizedImage_1322724624057.jpg
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Nice setup you have there. It remind me of myself,...bit of an over kill on the connectors. :D I could see by the tools you use that you work for/with the communications industry. What company do you work with? I have worked in the wireless industry for many years begining in the Caribbean and now in the US.

And by-the-way, after making up cables from 08 AWG to to as large as 8 AWG carring as much as 800 AMPS at 24 volts DC 24 hour per day, 7 days per week, I know that 5-90 knows his stuff. :clap: Get his setup and avoid the guess work.
 
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good eye techno1154! Its actually my gfs dad who works in telecommunications. Im trying to ditch my job to get into it myself. He works for motive, which is a company contracted by verizon to supply the batterys to the sites for the generators. what company are you with?
 
mxracer624 said:
good eye techno1154! Its actually my gfs dad who works in telecommunications. Im trying to ditch my job to get into it myself. He works for motive, which is a company contracted by verizon to supply the batterys to the sites for the generators. what company are you with?
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AHHH! The tools of the trade are easy to spot anywhere. Not everyone can afford to buy a $500+ crimper. I remember meeting some guys from Motive in 2008 in Iowa (I think,...could be wrong) while contracting with Verizon Wireless in Des Moines.
I am a cell tech who do install, integration and maintainance. I have also done network design and optimization. I am out of work right now. I worked in the Caribbean in 2006, 7, 9 and 10. Came back to the US early this year because my wife got her Green Card. I spend all my time :eyes: online for the right/any thing to get some pennies in the pocket.

I love the wireless industry. I am reluctant to do anything else. Try to get in. You will love the challenge.
 
techno1154 said:
AHHH! The tools of the trade are easy to spot anywhere. Not everyone can afford to buy a $500+ crimper. I remember meeting some guys from Motive in 2008 in Iowa (I think,...could be wrong) while contracting with Verizon Wireless in Des Moines.
I am a cell tech who do install, integration and maintainance. I have also done network design and optimization. I am out of work right now. I worked in the Caribbean in 2006, 7, 9 and 10. Came back to the US early this year because my wife got her Green Card. I spend all my time :eyes: online for the right/any thing to get some pennies in the pocket.

I love the wireless industry. I am reluctant to do anything else. Try to get in. You will love the challenge.
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$500 crimper? Is that anything like the $400 data cable tester I have out in the garage, leftover from my systems & networking days? (I tried to buy specialist tools myself - they were then a tax deduction, and I would have them for later if/when I quit. This especially applies to any measuring/test tool, where I then knew how it was used and maintained. Since I personally owned it, I was perfectly justified in either keeping it locked up when I wasn't there, or taking it home with me...)
 
5-90 said:
$500 crimper? Is that anything like the $400 data cable tester I have out in the garage, leftover from my systems & networking days? (I tried to buy specialist tools myself - they were then a tax deduction, and I would have them for later if/when I quit. This especially applies to any measuring/test tool, where I then knew how it was used and maintained. Since I personally owned it, I was perfectly justified in either keeping it locked up when I wasn't there, or taking it home with me...)
Click to expand...


It is all electric with replaceable dies to fit the connector/cable size. You insert the correct dies, plug the crimper in the AC outlet, insert the cable/connector pull the triger and whalla, you get a perfect calibrated crimp after which the crimper automatically releases the cable. I do not own one of these crimpers just the $80.00 GreenLee rachet type that crimps up to a 2 AWG cable. The company I work for usually supply the expensive tools. Oh and that ratchet wire connector is great for cutting large copper or alumnium cables although a bit slow. It moves one ratchet slot per squeeze. For 90% of the jobs, a regular wire cutter (not the side cutter) work perfect.
 
I've been wanting to make my own cables, too.

I'd rather make the cables and have them ready before taking out the old ones.

What lengths are needed for each cable?
 
Dragonslayer said:
I've been wanting to make my own cables, too.

I'd rather make the cables and have them ready before taking out the old ones.

What lengths are needed for each cable?
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I believe that 5-90 has the lengths listed on his site.
Honestly, I thought about making some. But the fact that he sells them with very little mark-up, I just bought a set of his.
 
I always assumed that the OEM wiring was sufficient, maybe not much buffer, but sufficient. Big mistake. Preparing the vehicle for increased electrical demand, I decided to check the OEM stuff and upgrade where needed. Sheesh, the OEM stuff was melted with bare wire exposed over a foot of length. A fire waiting to happen.

5-90s stuff is tops, used it on primary and now secondary battery. Get the biggest he has, you'll never regret the decision.
 
Sufficient for normal use, barely. I run 4 gauge cable for my winch and other electrics. The speed at which the starter turns over increases by about double with the larger wire. When you are onl working with 12 volts and the current is high, the size of the cable makes a big difference. Ever wonder why starter cables get hot? Well they are dropping several volts across just the wire. That means less for the starter.

5-90 has a nice reasonably priced product. If I didn't have access to the cable for almost free and own the crimpers, and I wasn't so hard headed, I would have bought his.:laugh:
 
I have an HF crimper that does the job (albeit very rough quality) - going to have to look into that greenlee crimper.

If it weren't for the fact that I am another electrical engineer / electrician type (I wear both hats depending on what day it is) who uses projects as an excuse to buy cool tools I would buy 5-90's setup in a heartbeat.
 
Well I just got back from napa. The wire alone was going to total 70 dollars for 2awg. That's not including the connectors shrink tubing or the battery terminals. Plus I'm sure it's not as good of quality as the setup posted above. I'm going with 5-90's setup.
 
bails85 said:
Well I just got back from napa. The wire alone was going to total 70 dollars for 2awg. That's not including the connectors shrink tubing or the battery terminals. Plus I'm sure it's not as good of quality as the setup posted above. I'm going with 5-90's setup.
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That is a great choice that will make your XJ happy electrically for many years to come. Plus, I have seen the cables at these discount auto store and I can assure you, they are inferior to those from 5-90.
 
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