Jumper Cables

[danovercash]

Question, I have an old set of jumpers that are reaching the end of a useful life. Is it possible/practical to buy replacement wire, or should I just recycle them and buy new? They are heavy guage and 12' long. The two wires are held together with tie wraps. Insulation is cracking and I'm afraid they might short out. TIA. Mods, please move if in wrong forum, thx.

 

[Barnyard]

Dan, some guys buy #1 or #2 welding wire and put the ends on. They make for a nice, heavy duty, yet flexible jumper cable. I used to carry a set like this that was about twenty four foot to start our bulldozers when I worked in excavating

 

[beaconlight]

Yeah what Barnyard says but most don't start big diesels. I use number 6 gauge aircraft wire in mine that are about 15 feet long. I have heavy duty clamps on the ends. They have stood me well for the last 40 years. The wire was surplus on a job i worked on.

 

[Mike in Louisiana]

I have been using power cable from the old MD-3 power units for the last 45 to 50 years.

MD-3 GROUND POWER UNIT

Posted 1/21/2009 Printable Fact Sheet

Photos

DAYTON, Ohio - MD-3 Ground Power Unit in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)

This unit was designed to provide 28-volt DC 1500 amp, 115/220-volt AC three-phase electrical power for B-47 aircraft for ground operation and start. It also can be used with other aircraft (such as the T-33) that have power requirements compatible with its output. It uses a Continental 180-hp six-cylinder reciprocating engine to drive its electrical generators.

The unit was restored for the museum by the 4950th Field Maintenance Squadron, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, in 1979-1980.

 

[Eugene]

I have several sets of the cheap battery cables that I carry in vehicles. They work well most of the time. 2 or 3 of these sets can be clamped together for a longer reach. Probably the cheapest, least expensive way to go if you are just boosting a depleted battery and don't need a set very often.

I also have a heavy duty set around 20 feet long, made from welder cable and heavy duty clamps. I don't know how old this set is, could be well over 30 years old. This set works great for long distance jump starting.

I also have a small generator set that I can hand carry to the tractor along with a battery charger, if I can't get close enough for battery cables.

 

[Rudi]

Dan:

If you clamps are heavy duty and in good shape then it is worthwhile to replace the cables. Most of the older clamps are made of much thicker stock than is available today and will probably outlast even the new cable. I have a set made from #0 guage cable that I got when I did my battery cables. Pretty good price and worth the cost. While I was at Traction Plus where I got the cable I looked at the clamps and was not impressed with the quality. Traction Plus is the Heavy Duty Truck outlet for NAPA up here.

I also have several sets of the cheap ones, but they tend to get a little warm even on 12 volt so I kinda save em for my electrolysis projects :lol:

 

[Denny Clayton]

To be honest, since I bought a jump box I haven't used a set of jumper cables in years. That reminds me, I should look at the set of HD cables I carry in the storage well under the back seat of my pickup. I haven't seen them since I bought the truck five years ago. They've been carried in the last 4 or 5 trucks. :shock:

 

[Super A]

I have been using power cable from the old MD-3 power units for the last 45 to 50 years.

MD-3 GROUND POWER UNIT

Posted 1/21/2009 Printable Fact Sheet

Photos

DAYTON, Ohio - MD-3 Ground Power Unit in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)

This unit was designed to provide 28-volt DC 1500 amp, 115/220-volt AC three-phase electrical power for B-47 aircraft for ground operation and start. It also can be used with other aircraft (such as the T-33) that have power requirements compatible with its output. It uses a Continental 180-hp six-cylinder reciprocating engine to drive its electrical generators.

The unit was restored for the museum by the 4950th Field Maintenance Squadron, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, in 1979-1980.

Is this one at 4:16?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gVPJFdc1Q0

Al

 

[Mike in Louisiana]

Super A That would be the one.
Those cables are fine wire like welding cable but are made of a hard but flexible outer coating because they would drag them on the concrete.

 

[Super A]

Super A That would be the one.
Those cables are fine wire like welding cable but are made of a hard but flexible outer coating because they would drag them on the concrete.

My dad has a heavy pair of jumper cables, made out of 1/0 welding cable, he had made specifically to jump the 300 MF combine--the battery was up high on the combine, in front of the grain tank. The only way the battery would have been harder to get to would have been if they put it on top of the cab. I have always joked that they were heavy enough "to jump off a 747...." Sounds like yours really could! :lol:

I don't know diddly about aviation or the military, but I love reading anything about the B-47's and of course B-52's. The men of the SAC had an awesome responsibility for sure.

Al