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Topic: New Battery Cables (Read 893 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: New Battery Cables

Reply #20 –
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Re: New Battery Cables

Reply #21 –
Quote from: Texhub –
"From my reading. One item that all of us have to watch out for. Is aluminum with copper coating! This is NOT to be used. Is there a way to ensure a potential buy is not this kind of wire?  Common way to test for it? Wording to watch out for Some?
So much if not all purchases are online.
Please advise this nugget of lead."


Texhub, like alot of things, best to know who you'r dealing with,  so AMSolar, Bay Marine, etc are good sources.  I've often bought Anchor wire where they specifically said it was not CCA (copper clad aluminum).  Amazon has a good section of marine grade wire, and none will be CCA.  Often if I'm not in a hurry I've contacted a seller of an item before buying. There is a good selection on Anchor wire, specifically marine grade on Amazon.

The following information is from a USA wire retailer.
What you should know about CCA and OFC Wire

Re: New Battery Cables

Reply #22 –
Quote from: Texhub –
From my reading. One item that all of us have to watch out for. Is aluminum with copper coating! This is NOT to be used. Is there a way to ensure a potential buy is not this kind of wire?  Common way to test for it?
Generally looks like copper clad coated aluminum Wire was only made in 10-12 wire size similar to romex solid core. End of wire will be aluminum exposed. Designed for non flexing locations. Homes. I've only seen in 1970s homes. Never have seen in the field elsewhere.
Agree 100% hard pass
Scott
 

Re: New Battery Cables

Reply #23 –
Quote from: Texhub –
From my reading. One item that all of us have to watch out for. Is aluminum with copper coating! This is NOT to be used. Is there a way to ensure a potential buy is not this kind of wire?  Common way to test for it? Wording to watch out for...

If the wire description doesn't say "pure copper" or "100% copper" proceed with caution.

A test you can do is the "lighter" test. Strip say 3" of insulation and separate all the strands of wire. Then hold the lighter flame under each strand. Pure copper will start to glow red and stay straight. CCA wire will immediately melt and droop over.

My son bought some expensive heavy gauge speaker wire for his car subwoofer system. We did the "lighter" test and approx half of the 24 strands were CCA.