Hi All, Trying to find a supplier of marine grade 2/0 battery wire and other guages, other than West Marine/Boat US. I've been searching the web without luck. Jim S/V Java
Need battery wire supplier
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Ancor
Jim That's because they both supply Ancor wires and materials. I am not aware of any competitive manufacturers of marine grade wire. I haven't come across any other suppliers either, unless you count independent chandleries, which have pretty much gone the way of the do do bird. We still do have some of these here in the SF Bay area. Stu
Jim That's because they both supply Ancor wires and materials. I am not aware of any competitive manufacturers of marine grade wire. I haven't come across any other suppliers either, unless you count independent chandleries, which have pretty much gone the way of the do do bird. We still do have some of these here in the SF Bay area. Stu
Jamestown Distributors
The best I've found for quality and PRICE is Jamestown Distributors. Great service and very attractive prices. http://www.jamestowndistributors.com Rich
The best I've found for quality and PRICE is Jamestown Distributors. Great service and very attractive prices. http://www.jamestowndistributors.com Rich
Fore And Aft Marine
has lots of wire and reasonable prices. I do not know if they have 2/0 in stock but I know they can get it. I ordered several rolls of 12 gage marine wire from their web site and received the order in 3 days UPS Ground. The wire was not tinned and when I called I got great service and prompt replacement of the wire. The owner said the wire on the web site is marine copper wire, not marine tinned wire. They do not have the tinned wire on the web page yet, you have to call and ask for it. I was satisfied and will do business with them again.
has lots of wire and reasonable prices. I do not know if they have 2/0 in stock but I know they can get it. I ordered several rolls of 12 gage marine wire from their web site and received the order in 3 days UPS Ground. The wire was not tinned and when I called I got great service and prompt replacement of the wire. The owner said the wire on the web site is marine copper wire, not marine tinned wire. They do not have the tinned wire on the web page yet, you have to call and ask for it. I was satisfied and will do business with them again.
automotive store
just a suggestion as I have done that. Are you sure you need #2. What about #4? YOu never posted the photo on small boats turkey. Tell Joan I said Hi CrazY
just a suggestion as I have done that. Are you sure you need #2. What about #4? YOu never posted the photo on small boats turkey. Tell Joan I said Hi CrazY
Don't know how much you want to buy
but check out Cobra Wire & Cable in Hatboro, Pa. I paid $2 a foot for 1/0 tinned marine cable for my windlass installation. Bought sixty feet. That was two years ago but it appears to be cheaper than the price of even Jamestown Distributors (of whom I think very highly). Cobra's phone number is (215)674-8773. Why do you need 2/0? That's big stuff. I had two 30-foot runs with a 100 amp breaker and the 1/0 is plenty big enough.
but check out Cobra Wire & Cable in Hatboro, Pa. I paid $2 a foot for 1/0 tinned marine cable for my windlass installation. Bought sixty feet. That was two years ago but it appears to be cheaper than the price of even Jamestown Distributors (of whom I think very highly). Cobra's phone number is (215)674-8773. Why do you need 2/0? That's big stuff. I had two 30-foot runs with a 100 amp breaker and the 1/0 is plenty big enough.
Sailnet
I buy all my stuff from them. They don't have any sales tax! And they do free shipping! Great web site...BLUESKIES & HIGHTIDES...rb
I buy all my stuff from them. They don't have any sales tax! And they do free shipping! Great web site...BLUESKIES & HIGHTIDES...rb
Peter and Crazy Dave.
Peter, 1/0 is heavier than 2/0 which is heavier than 4/0. Did you really use 1/0 for your windlass? I use 4/0 for main battery grounds and positive. Would use 2/0 if I had long runs or high amp requirements. Sailnet and Jamestown would also be my choices. But I recently found wire on E-Bay when I did not want the minimum 50' spool from Jamestown(10/2 and 12/2). Crazy Dave, auto store? Is it tinned as marine wire should be?
Peter, 1/0 is heavier than 2/0 which is heavier than 4/0. Did you really use 1/0 for your windlass? I use 4/0 for main battery grounds and positive. Would use 2/0 if I had long runs or high amp requirements. Sailnet and Jamestown would also be my choices. But I recently found wire on E-Bay when I did not want the minimum 50' spool from Jamestown(10/2 and 12/2). Crazy Dave, auto store? Is it tinned as marine wire should be?
The More "0"'s the Heavier the Wire
Using the AWG gauge system the more zeros the heavier the wire so 2/0 is heavier than 1/0, 4/0 is heavier than 2/0, etc. See the table on the Blue Sea web site: http://www.bluesea.com/data.htm Jim: If you can afford it try to use only marine grade tinned wire and connectors. Also use marine grade heat shrink tubing and liquid electrical tape on any exposed wire ends, such as on crimp connectors. This is a little more cost up front but in the long run you'll have a much more trouble-free electrical system. Consider the holistic picture: the time it takes for you to do the work, the vehicle mileage to get the materials, the trips to the marina to do the work, and down the road the time it takes to troubleshoot problems, and maybe even worse, something that doesn't work when it is supposed to. Check out the Blue Sea web site for "ABYC Excerps" for how the work should be done: http://www.bluesea.com/tech.htm "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right"
Using the AWG gauge system the more zeros the heavier the wire so 2/0 is heavier than 1/0, 4/0 is heavier than 2/0, etc. See the table on the Blue Sea web site: http://www.bluesea.com/data.htm Jim: If you can afford it try to use only marine grade tinned wire and connectors. Also use marine grade heat shrink tubing and liquid electrical tape on any exposed wire ends, such as on crimp connectors. This is a little more cost up front but in the long run you'll have a much more trouble-free electrical system. Consider the holistic picture: the time it takes for you to do the work, the vehicle mileage to get the materials, the trips to the marina to do the work, and down the road the time it takes to troubleshoot problems, and maybe even worse, something that doesn't work when it is supposed to. Check out the Blue Sea web site for "ABYC Excerps" for how the work should be done: http://www.bluesea.com/tech.htm "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right"
Ed, I have the table right here
and as someone else pointed out, I am afraid you have it backwards. 1/0 AWG is 0.585" OD. 2/0 is 0.625" OD and 4/0 is 0.760 OD. 1/0 is rated at 300 amps, 2/0 at 350 and 4/0 at 470.
and as someone else pointed out, I am afraid you have it backwards. 1/0 AWG is 0.585" OD. 2/0 is 0.625" OD and 4/0 is 0.760 OD. 1/0 is rated at 300 amps, 2/0 at 350 and 4/0 at 470.
Sorry to mislead.
I stand corrected. It is just that my batteries are wired with 2/0 and it just does not seem that heavy. Or am I thinking it is 2/0 when it is really #2 gauge? I'll bet that's it, #4 versus #2, etc. BIG difference, #2=.26 dia. and 2/0=.63 dia.! I know I do not have any cables over 1/2" in diameter. Sorry.
I stand corrected. It is just that my batteries are wired with 2/0 and it just does not seem that heavy. Or am I thinking it is 2/0 when it is really #2 gauge? I'll bet that's it, #4 versus #2, etc. BIG difference, #2=.26 dia. and 2/0=.63 dia.! I know I do not have any cables over 1/2" in diameter. Sorry.
AWG vs. SAE?
Janestown Distrutors lists their battery cable as spec'd to SAE, yet from the Ancor web site: "ANCOR’s primary Boat Cable is made to American Wire Gauge standards which means up to 12% more tinned copper conductors than SAE wire." Does anybody know what this means with regard to diameter etc of the cables? Does this mean that Ancor uses more, thinner strands, or is the total cross-section larger. In other words will 1/0 Ancor lugs fit J.D.'s 1/0 cable? Derek
Janestown Distrutors lists their battery cable as spec'd to SAE, yet from the Ancor web site: "ANCOR’s primary Boat Cable is made to American Wire Gauge standards which means up to 12% more tinned copper conductors than SAE wire." Does anybody know what this means with regard to diameter etc of the cables? Does this mean that Ancor uses more, thinner strands, or is the total cross-section larger. In other words will 1/0 Ancor lugs fit J.D.'s 1/0 cable? Derek
Good question, Derek
I must admit that I do not know the exact differences between the SAE and AWG specifications. However, I have used JD wire (it is usually all I buy)with lugs from both Ancor and JD with no problems. I use the Ancor wire press device to cinch the lugs on the wire. My practice is then to solder the connection and use heat-shrink tubing over the barrel of the lug and down the wire a couple of inches. Using this technique, I have never had a wire joint fail from corrosion or mechanical failure. However, just crimping the wire does provide a secure joint in every case that I have seen. Rich
I must admit that I do not know the exact differences between the SAE and AWG specifications. However, I have used JD wire (it is usually all I buy)with lugs from both Ancor and JD with no problems. I use the Ancor wire press device to cinch the lugs on the wire. My practice is then to solder the connection and use heat-shrink tubing over the barrel of the lug and down the wire a couple of inches. Using this technique, I have never had a wire joint fail from corrosion or mechanical failure. However, just crimping the wire does provide a secure joint in every case that I have seen. Rich
Try Chandleries Patronized by Watermen
Try to find a marine supply place that is patronized by Chesapeake fishermen. Keep in mind that finding the cable is only the first stpe. You'll need suitable end fittings pressure-fitted on to the ends of the cable. You need a special tool to do this, probably way too expensive to justify buying it yourself. Any place catering to commercial fishermen should have knowledgeable staff with the tools and fittings to do this for you.
Try to find a marine supply place that is patronized by Chesapeake fishermen. Keep in mind that finding the cable is only the first stpe. You'll need suitable end fittings pressure-fitted on to the ends of the cable. You need a special tool to do this, probably way too expensive to justify buying it yourself. Any place catering to commercial fishermen should have knowledgeable staff with the tools and fittings to do this for you.
Update - got wire from BoatUS
To let everyone know - I shopped around to all of the different stores people suggested, printed it out. Then walked into to Boat/US and said I need 35ft of 1/0 wire can you meet this price, which was $2.85 from Jamestown Dist. The manager choked a bit, checked the computer and said "I can let you have it for $3.00 ft." They sell it for $6.59/ft. DEAL no shipping added and I got Ancor wire to boot. Found that if you go in prepared with printouts, BoatUS and West Marine will meet the price or try real hard to, but you have to be able to walk away if it doesn't suit you. Getting ready to rewire for a Freedom 20 inverter and add a second bank of batteries. Will be crimping and shrink wrapping everything that gets in my way. Jim S/V Java
To let everyone know - I shopped around to all of the different stores people suggested, printed it out. Then walked into to Boat/US and said I need 35ft of 1/0 wire can you meet this price, which was $2.85 from Jamestown Dist. The manager choked a bit, checked the computer and said "I can let you have it for $3.00 ft." They sell it for $6.59/ft. DEAL no shipping added and I got Ancor wire to boot. Found that if you go in prepared with printouts, BoatUS and West Marine will meet the price or try real hard to, but you have to be able to walk away if it doesn't suit you. Getting ready to rewire for a Freedom 20 inverter and add a second bank of batteries. Will be crimping and shrink wrapping everything that gets in my way. Jim S/V Java
Use a hand swage tool
which you probably have around anyway for swaging rigging and lifeline wire. It's not the custom tool for the job but works extremely well, a whole lot better than the job a so-called professional did on my boat. I had to reswage all the fittings on the 1/0 and 2/0 cable that he did.
which you probably have around anyway for swaging rigging and lifeline wire. It's not the custom tool for the job but works extremely well, a whole lot better than the job a so-called professional did on my boat. I had to reswage all the fittings on the 1/0 and 2/0 cable that he did.
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