Using Welder cable for winch power ?

Submitted: Saturday, Sep 25, 2010 at 19:20

ThreadID: 81548 Views:3459 Replies:4 FollowUps:3

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Member - Scrubby (VIC)

G`day all,

I have used 2 Gauge welder cable on my revamped wiring set up on my Warn 8274 winch.
A friend commented that welder cable is not suitable for that application but he couldn`t say why, just that someone had told him that.

I had heard a similar story a long while back but considered it to be Bull Dust.
The Winch works ok so I can`t see what the problem could be.

Has anyone heard of this theory or know of any reason not to use it.

Thanks in advance,

Scrubby

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Reply By: pop2jocem - Saturday, Sep 25, 2010 at 19:29

Saturday, Sep 25, 2010 at 19:29

Well Scrubby I hope it's bulldust 'cause that's what's been running mine for about 15 years now. 8000lb Warn.

Cheers Pop

AnswerID: 431412

Reply By: Member - Captain (WA) - Saturday, Sep 25, 2010 at 21:02

Saturday, Sep 25, 2010 at 21:02

Welding cable is about as good as it gets, it has fine copper strands, is usually double insulated and is designed to carry high amps. Perhaps the rumour is there to discourage "borrowing" it from the workplace?

Cheers

Captain

AnswerID: 431418

Reply By: Member - Scrubby (VIC) - Saturday, Sep 25, 2010 at 21:41

Saturday, Sep 25, 2010 at 21:41

Thanks Pop and Captain,

Yes that is what I thought, I needed cable that is very flexible that will carry up to 500 amps and this met both requirements, besides that I got 20ft of it at the Sunday Market for $10. LOL

Regards

Scrubby.

AnswerID: 431421

Follow Up By: Member - Mark G Gulmarrad - Saturday, Sep 25, 2010 at 21:55

Saturday, Sep 25, 2010 at 21:55

Scrubby

is Kev planning on visiting ya......hence the winch upgrade?

hahahahha

FollowupID: 702165

Follow Up By: Member - Doug T (NT) - Sunday, Sep 26, 2010 at 08:25

Sunday, Sep 26, 2010 at 08:25

I was wondering if the $10 cable gets hot!!!!! , you know what I mean...

.

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FollowupID: 702180

Follow Up By: Member - Scrubby (VIC) - Sunday, Sep 26, 2010 at 16:29

Sunday, Sep 26, 2010 at 16:29

G`day Doug,

Nah Doug not even warm, along the length of it there were several "slices/cuts" as if it had been run over with a lawn mower or similar which probably the reason for the cheap price.
As I required 4 relatively short pieces it suited me fine.

Regards,

Scrubby.

FollowupID: 702251

Reply By: Member - Oldbaz. NSW. - Sunday, Sep 26, 2010 at 11:12

Sunday, Sep 26, 2010 at 11:12

I made my jumper leads from the cables off a defunct welder & they have worked fine for 25 years, The flexibilty allows them to roll up tightly making
storage & carrying very easy. I just transferred the ends off a set of elcheapo ones......oldbaz.

AnswerID: 431446