Jumper leads

Your average battery to start a "big diesel" will be a lot more than 200 amps.....closer to 700+cca so I figured I needed at least this in my jumper leads and went the 750amp set.

I could be way off the mark with my logic and would be happy for someone to set me straight.

Regards, Trevor.

Also the cheaper jumper leads generally have poor cable connection to the clamps, they have a small strip pressed into the clamp to create a slot. The cable is pushed into the slot and squashed to create a connection. They generally end up with a poor quality, high resistance joint at that point.. Go for clamps with connectors crimped to the cable and then bolted to the clamp,, Michael

run away from those they may rate 200amps but if you try and start anything larger than a lawn mower you will end up with smoking leads. the wire size is roughly a heavy insulated 6mm. for a diesel you need a minimum of 2B&S which is capable of at least starting your vehicle

Hey Steve, used a set of these to try and jump start a commodore with a dead flat battery and they melted.Best used only on low battery's only and not left on to long.Price up some welding leads and good earth clamps and will start any big diesel.
Cheers.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/800AMP-BOOSTER-CABLE%2FJUMPER-LEADS-HEAVY-DUTY,-BRAND-NEW_W0QQitemZ260351641092QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20090125?IMSfp=TL090125066001r8598

worth a punt?

I made mine from welding cable from a metal merchant.
They are long enough to go right across two vehicles so I could pull up beside anything and reach the battery.
Crimped and soldered the ends onto the clamps and after 13 years they will still start a diesel.

Also soldered a antispike thingy across the clamps at one end so as to be able to use them on computer controlled cars.

Cost $15 for cable $19 for antispike A couple of hours to make them.
Made that first night taxi driving for two jump starts.

G'day all, any & every lead needs to be soldered for maximum transfer irrespective of lead amperage, usually by soldering will nearly double amp transfer rate to what they state, if the crimp join is hotter than the cable - that's why they need soldering! maximum transfer, like your garden hose, green hose not much can get through, fire brigade hose lot's can get through, size does matter! Heavier cables rule. I've had mine 35years, they don't wear out - ever. You get what you pay for, you don't pay much - you don't get much, buy quality first time, Mine I made from welding cable, soldered, good clamps, regards, aussiedingo

Steve
The go is .... don't waste your money, plus they'll be chinese crap.
Get nothing less than 400 amp, heavier if you see them ,
Also a little hint for those with dual systems, if the start battery won't turn the motor just connect the 2 positives using 1 lead only, you do not need the negitive , that should start the engine, I have both my leads cut down to 800mm long

If you are just doing a quick jump start and there is no underlying engine problem then they will do fine. If you need to crank & crank & ... then get somthing more substantial. As previously mentioned it would pay to check the crimp conections to see that they are good & tight, you do not need to solder if they are good connections (crimping if done right is a far better job).
Most people don't understand that the cable size is not really the problem, it's the duty time and getting rid of excess heat that kills the cable.

.

So the pair I found on the side of the road that are so huge they only just go in a shopping bag and weigh about 4kg could be considered heavy duty?
cheers

Supacheap have a set of 750amp ones that weigh a ton and will start any 4WD they are excellent and they usually sell them for around the $60 mark (well worth it)