2/0 & 1/0 gauge cable crimping tool recommendation

[Skyliner]

Hi,
I don't need Snap on tool quality and am ok with Harbor Freight quality for the few crimps that I need to make.

Can someone recommend a good crimper for crimping 2/0 and 1/0 cable? Prefer an Ebay or Amazon recommendation. Most list metric dies and not sure which metric size will work for 2/0 and 1/0 cable.

Thanks!

[ChateauV10]

West Marine used to sell a tool that you use with a vise and a hammer. I just checked and they may only sell it as a kit now, but ANCOR makes it (Heavy-Duty Stainless Steel Lug Crimper, 6-4/0 AWG | Ancor)
and I think it's sold on amazon.

[trbomax]

I made mine years ago from a med size HF bolt cutter.I just welded a 5/16" bolt out on one jaw,then built the edges of the oher one up w/weld and used a die grinder to shape it. They have cheap little cast crimping tools that you squeeze in a vise,but no one I know ever got a good,tight ,crimp.A place that sells welders would probably do it since they change cable ends and make stingers every day.

[Kevin & Judy]

I have used the vise type crimper for years, Works well, I Always solder all the crimps and shrink tube them.

[ScottBrownstein]

Don't use one. Always solder them with rosin core solder and a torch and then put heat shrink over them. (Don't forget to put the heat shrink on before you put the lug on...been there, done that.)

[Iwannacamp]

The hammer type works good...be sure and add grease to wire and shrink. You have to get to ground or something solid.


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[ScottBrownstein]

Originally Posted by Iwannacamp

The hammer type works good...be sure and add grease to wire and shrink. You have to get to ground or something solid.


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Never heard of using grease. I have, however seen bad crimps that had heat shrink where the shrink covered the evidence of corrosion. That's why I prefer solder.

[Bama Rambler]

Here are the conversions from AWG to Metric wire sizes.
Amazon sells several hydraulic crimpers that would work for about $50.

AWG ... D ... mm. mm²
2/0 .. 0.365 9.26 67.4
1/0 .. 0.325 8.25 53.5
1 ..... 0.289 7.35 42.4
2 ..... 0.258 6.54 33.6
3 ..... 0.229 5.83 26.7
4 ..... 0.204 5.19 21.1
5 ..... 0.182 4.62 16.8
6 ..... 0.162 4.11 13.3
7 ..... 0.144 3.66 10.5
8 ..... 0.128 3.26 8.36
9 ..... 0.114 2.91 6.63
10 ... 0.102 2.59 5.26
11 ... 0.091 2.30 4.17
12 ... 0.081 2.05 3.31
13 ... 0.072 1.83 2.62
14 ... 0.064 1.63 2.08

[Iwannacamp]

Originally Posted by ScottBrownstein

Never heard of using grease. I have, however seen bad crimps that had heat shrink where the shrink covered the evidence of corrosion. That's why I prefer solder.

Have used dialectic, lithium and wheel bearing. It stops/slows corrosion.


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[mfMcFroggierPod]

Solder makes your best connection.


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[ChateauV10]

Originally Posted by mfMcFroggierPod

Solder makes your best connection.


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Sorry, but "Best" and solder and electrical connections can be looked at a number of ways. I look at it differently.

In industry, very, very, few large gage cable terminations are done using solder. Soldering a termination is highly dependent on several variables that need to be controlled with the biggest one being the skill, training and motivation of the human doing the soldering. The may not fully apply to a personal/casual/hobby activity like RV mods done by the owner or a buddy but it is still a significant variable.

Soldering is not always the best and can all to often result in joints that look good but result in damaged insulation from heat, wicked solder that results in a long, mechanically problematic connection, no true mechanical bond between the connector and the cable and personal exposure to toxic fumes.

from my perspective, crimping is the way to go for wire/cable terminations.

Cheers!

[ScottBrownstein]

Originally Posted by ChateauV10

Sorry, but "Best" and solder and electrical connections can be looked at a number of ways. I look at it differently......

True, you have to know about these things, as well as have experience soldering. However, the same can be said of crimping with substandard tools or incomplete solutions.

Rosin core solder is quite safe and these cables are so big that they take to it quite well. Of course...heat the lug and not the cable and the lugs are really big as well. But then I have soldered a lot of things in the past.

[Swampy]

Our utility crews use a Burndy tool MRC840 Burndy HYTOOL Rotating Die Crimp Tool, #8 - 4/0 AWG, Cu. A bit pricy, but made for the task.
............. Swampy

[Too Tall]

Do both, crimp and solder.

[k52412]

Here is a possible solution:
Straight Barrel Fusion Battery Terminals - Positive
Terminals and lugs already loaded with solder.

[f5moab]

Check the local auto parts door. When I replaced the cable terminals on my Hummer years ago, the local auto parts store rented me the tool for a few hours for five bucks.

[GeeDubb]

I bought one of these TEMCo Hydraulic Cable Lug Crimper TH0006 - 5 US TON 12 AWG to 00 (2/0) Electrical Terminal Cable Wire Tool Kit 5 YEAR WARRANTY through amazon. But I had a lot of terminals to crimp.

gw

[ChateauV10]

Originally Posted by ScottBrownstein

True, you have to know about these things, as well as have experience soldering. However, the same can be said of crimping with substandard tools or incomplete solutions.

Rosin core solder is quite safe and these cables are so big that they take to it quite well. Of course...heat the lug and not the cable and the lugs are really big as well. But then I have soldered a lot of things in the past.

Scott, I think both of us have soldered a lot of things in the past. I started in 1964 and I'm not old enough for Social Security (yet)!

And that is it. If you have experience and patience and a bit of knowledge, it can work out ok. BUT: decent tools and a little bit of technique allow almost anybody to make a great crimped joint!

[PSU Turf]

I us this this hydraulic crimper from Amazon: Robot Check

For $40 it works great for the home handyman. I don't think it would hold up to daily use.

[Harkerr]

Might check with an Industrial electrical contractor to make the crimps if it is a one time deal.