dealing with 1/0

[magic_wizard 10+ year member]

I have a problem. My 1/0 wire won't fit into the hole in my battery terminals that are supposed to accept 1/0 wire. Before stripping the insulation off, it seams like it should fit because the wire is compressed nice and tight, but after stripping, the wire flares out. I have to cut some strands off in order to make it fit in there. Is this normal? Is there a way to make the wire fit snug into the hole. I have the same problem with crimp style ring terminals. The wire wouldn't slide in there, so I had to just cut some strands off. The end result is functional but messy. Like you can see some strands sticking out of the hole. If anyone has any ideas on how to insert these huge wires into the holes (that are supposed to be able to accept wire that big), please let me know. I hate ugly installs. Another question I have is, are the allen screw wire terminals better (conductance wise and durability wise) than a mediocre crimp connection? Sticking wire into a hole and screwing it in tight is alot easier than crimping, even you have to go through the pain of inserting the wire with both approaches. My crimps were made with a hammer. Ghetto, but I guess it works. I did 2/3 of the big 3 (batt to ground, eng block to ground) and would like to avoid crimping for the alt to batt wire. I'm thinking out buying the allen screw in terminals. Please help me if you can! I want a clean install. Thanks. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

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[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

Twist the wire together as tightly as you can before you go to insert it in a terminal. Make sure you twist it the same direction that it is twisted in its construction. You can also turn it as you insert it in the opening to help the wire stay twisted. You want it to be a pretty tight fit. If you end up with strands sticking out, pull it out, re-twist it and try again to insert it cleanly. If after a few attempts, you can't get it perfect, get it as good as you can and then carefully trim off all the stray strands. They are a short-circuit hazard.

 

[ngsm13 5,000+ posts]

i tinned mine...meaning i took a little tiny bit of solder and let it drip onto the 1/0 fresh out of the jacket. This hardens it as a whole...and then it easily slides into the terminal. peace

NG

 

[magic_wizard 10+ year member]

i tinned mine...meaning i took a little tiny bit of solder and let it drip onto the 1/0 fresh out of the jacket. This hardens it as a whole...and then it easily slides into the terminal. peace
NG

What if I solder the tip of the wire before stripping the insulation? After peeling (not pulling) the insulation off, the exposed wire won't flare out, and then I can either stick it in there, or I can solder it further and then stick it in there completely. By the way, will the resistance created by the solder matter too much?

 

[pavengmike6 10+ year member]

The solder is not going to create enough resistance for you to even know about it. Like HELO said. Take the battery terminal and use a screwing motion as you put the terminal around the wire. Keep tuning and turning until you get it in. I just did one and it took me 2 times but all got 99.9% of the wires in the hole.

 

[magic_wizard 10+ year member]

I figured it out! A really easy way to get that stuff in there! No soldering! I just used my puny box knife, and it fit in there snug! This requires a beer for celebration. Do you guys want to know how?

:thumbsup

 

[magic_wizard 10+ year member]

word, even if you had cut off half the strands, it wouldnt have affected anything...
...thin wire only creates resistance over longer distances

I know. I'm just picky. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[parvo99 10+ year member]

I found that NOT twisting the wire together after stripping it made it a lot easier. I just strip the insulations straight off, and carefully stuff the wire in.

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

Whatever works for you.

I just did one and it took me 2 times but all got 99.9% of the wires in the hole.

First attempt for currency and the second for proficiency?

 

[djjdnap 10+ year member]

i got a grinder and grinded most of the wire off of mine, it then began to stick together like i was welding, so it is just a big block, it looks pretty cool, and it fits perfect, with no loose pieces..