fray wires in 1/0 gauge input

[noob with an RS 10+ year member]

ok i just got my 1/0 gauge from welding supply. it is very flexible and very thick!!! G0D**** that shit is hard to work with!! by that, i mean it was a pain in the *** pulling that huge wire through my firewall grommet. i had to grease that succer up to be able to pull it through. but i got that done so on with my question:

after cutting away at the 1/0 gauge, the wire end was very messy.. as in the wires were all spread out and now its a pain to get the wires into the 1/0 gauge input on my MTX amp.. I CANT GET ALL THE STRANDS IN!!! any tips or tricks or ANYTHING i should know to get this friggin' wire into the amp cleanly?? i HATE the sight of the fray wires sticking out the hole... //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif i finally just decided to fit as many strands as i could in.. but im not sure if this is as efficient at all

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[idbl_fanatic 10+ year member]

yeah solder the ends, and then you can grind it down to fit in there if needed

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

Either tin the ends like the above poster said, or use a pair of vice grips and clean up the ends...it's not that hard //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[zachzchw 5,000+ posts]

Use bolt cutters or something similiar, cut off about an inch, then use a razor knife to trim away the rubber, and you now have nice unfrayed wire.

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

The best tool that I've found for stripping large gauge wiring (over 8awg) are those coaxial cable cutters used by the telecom/satellite people - they're two blades that you rest the cable on and twirl around until the jacket is neatly cut. Works much, much faster than using a knife, and is much cleaner.

 

[rideac1 10+ year member]

I got some of the same stuff from the same place, it's real nice and a good deal. Just cut the housing off real nice with whatever tool, razor blade works great, pull insulation off cleanly. Twist the wires a little bit, and spin the wire as you put in in the amp hole in the direction you twisted the wires.

 

[noob with an RS 10+ year member]

thanks for the input guys. im going to have to use vise grips or do the soldering method.. i dont have enough wire to cut i dont think.. well see after i mount the amp. thanks a lot guys. i would now like to take the time to say "IT HURTS LIKE HELL GETTING STABBED WITH A SINGLE STRAND OF 0 GAUGE WIRE"