Jumper cables?

[Sazabi]

Could someone please point me in the direction for a good pair of 16-20 ft jumper cables in the US, please?  Copper cable instead of copper clad aluminium preferred, if possible; 8 gauge at the least.  I'm having trouble finding knowledgeable sources for this. :/

[Grant Lamontagne]

There's nothing suitable at Wal Mart, Sears or Pep Boys?

I'd suggest Canadian Tire, but that might be a bit too much of a drive for you!

Def

[Sazabi]

I don't spend a dime I don't have to at Walmart, if I can help it.  I'm looking online at Sears at the moment; their 15% off automotive accessories and tools, combined with in-store pickup, is nice.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I hate Wal Mart.  I only suggested them as they carry everything and are usually quite local.  I don't generally give jumper cables too much thought- I just buy the heaviest set I can find figuring they will handle whatever I need to boost.

Def

[Mr. Whippy]

Local NAPA autoparts.  Not the cheapest, but always reasonably good quality.

[Sazabi]

I ended up getting a Diehard-branded set from Sears for about $30.

@ Grant:  Tell me about it, I have at least three or four within a ten-minute drive of my house.

@ Whippy:  I didn't think about that, actually.  I know there is/was a store in town, but if the pair from Sears doesn't work, I'll look there.

[Grant Lamontagne]

Local NAPA autoparts.  Not the cheapest, but always reasonably good quality.

I thought about mentioning them but they seem to be a bit out of the way for the average consumer.  I know where a few of my local ones are, but most folks I talk to have no idea.

Def

[Pacu]

Make sure the ends are well built and the overall length is adequate. Nothing worse than a 4-6ft jumper cable. I still have a set my dad gave me. Bosch brand i think.

[tattoosteve99]

I make mine. Lowes carries the wire then get a few pair of welding clamps then heat, solder, and presto. Super tough.

[Sazabi]

I know the clamps could be better, but this is the pair I purchased:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02807323000P?lid=IExTrans_ItemNumber_link&rioptype=SRS&sid=IExTransSearsStoreReady&eml=

Supposedly 6 gauge all-copper wire; 16 feet long.

@ Steve:  Except for the soldering gun I included with my purchase for my mum for Christmas, I don't have a soldering gun here; I guess that would've been the most economical route.

[Sazabi]

Question:  Did I come out alright for under $30? :/

[Mike]

Question:  Did I come out alright for under $30? :/

Yes, you did very well.

Mike

[Grant Lamontagne]

I'd say so- when you need them they'll be worth a whole heck of a lot more than that!

Def

[Neil]

My mother says I have to go round and get her car started.  Can I find a set of jumpers?  Nope

[Threeme2189]

Chuck Norris can jump start a car with one of his nerve endings.

[Neil]

No show for Chuck this evening   Bloody unreliable that bloke

[Sazabi]

No show for Chuck this evening   Bloody unreliable that bloke

   Didn't you know?  He was kicking some stereotypical 80's city badguy tonight.

[Mike]

Now, get yourself something to put them in so they don't get damaged while riding around in your trunk. Plastic bucket, carrying case ..... something. Then Toss in some gloves, a flashlight and you'll be in good shape should the need arise. Now, this is important. Read the instructions so you know how to properly hook them up and disconnect them.

1) red (+) to dead battery
2) red (+) to live battery
3) black (-) to live battery
4) black (-) to dead cars engine block, or bolt or bracket
5) Before starting dead car, make sure the cables will not get caught up in the belts, fan or other moving parts.
6) Let idling car sit connected to dead car for a couple minutes before trying to start dead car.
7) Try starting dead car.
8  After dead car starts, remove cables in reverse order that they were connected in.

But don't trust me, read the instructions.


Mike

[jzmtl]

What do you need cable that thick for, jump a tank?

[AimlessWanderer]

What do you need cable that thick for, jump a tank?

You can't have jump leads that are too heavy 

My car's only a 2 litre petrol engine, but I've jump started boats up to 65ft, 3.5 litre diesel engined cars and a 10 tonne diesel forklift with my jump leads 

Jump leads are great! Bump starting boats and 10 tonne forklifts isn't easy 

[Carlos]

I've a set of jumper cables which have cost at the time about 25 eur. I think the price is still the same today, give it or take. These have 3 meters long with 16mm² of cable copper section (thats 9,8 feet and somewhere between 5 to 6 gauge). 

Now, get yourself something to put them in so they don't get damaged while riding around in your trunk. Plastic bucket, carrying case ..... something. Then Toss in some gloves, a flashlight and you'll be in good shape should the need arise. Now, this is important. Read the instructions so you know how to properly hook them up and disconnect them.

1) red (+) to dead battery
2) red (+) to live battery
3) black (-) to live battery
4) black (-) to dead cars engine block, or bolt or bracket
5) Before starting dead car, make sure the cables will not get caught up in the belts, fan or other moving parts.
6) Let idling car sit connected to dead car for a couple minutes before trying to start dead car.
7) Try starting dead car.
8  After dead car starts, remove cables in reverse order that they were connected in.

But don't trust me, read the instructions.


Mike

That's exactly as described in the instructions, I've just checked.

[Sazabi]

Now, get yourself something to put them in so they don't get damaged while riding around in your trunk. Plastic bucket, carrying case ..... something. Then Toss in some gloves, a flashlight and you'll be in good shape should the need arise. Now, this is important. Read the instructions so you know how to properly hook them up and disconnect them.

1) red (+) to dead battery
2) red (+) to live battery
3) black (-) to live battery
4) black (-) to dead cars engine block, or bolt or bracket
5) Before starting dead car, make sure the cables will not get caught up in the belts, fan or other moving parts.
6) Let idling car sit connected to dead car for a couple minutes before trying to start dead car.
7) Try starting dead car.
8  After dead car starts, remove cables in reverse order that they were connected in.

But don't trust me, read the instructions.


Mike

That sounds correct; it roughly matches the instructions on the reverse of the box.  I'm thinking about getting a bag to put the cables in, but for now, I'm just going to keep them in the box.  I went with longer, thicker cables because I've had experience where a ten foot cable wasn't quite long enough; when the battery is on one side of the engine, and the nearest available car can only pull up so far, the extra footage is worth the cost.

As for the gauge of the cable, the research I found suggested getting the thickest gauge, longest all-copper cable jumper cables that doesn't break the bank.