Author Topic: Booster Cables (Read 6201 times)

SeasideLass · « **on:** November 22, 2009, 10:13:05 pm »

Hi folks, thought I should get some booster cables to carry around (just in case).

CT has 16' cables with 400 amp for 29.99, Xcess Cargo has 10' cables at 200 amp for 4.99. What is the right amp for cables?

Thanks..........

mmret · « **Reply #1 on:** November 22, 2009, 10:16:40 pm »

$5....you can buy two for twice the conductivity. JUst make sure you connect in PARALLEL.

articsteve · « **Reply #2 on:** November 22, 2009, 10:20:35 pm »

Agree, get the 10 footer for a 5iver unless your trying to start a dual battery diesel.

EV Dan · « **Reply #3 on:** November 22, 2009, 10:30:56 pm »

Thicker (lower gauge) and shorter cables = better boost. In Ontario I got the thickest CT had in stock, just in case I need to jump start smth big at -20

wing · « **Reply #4 on:** November 22, 2009, 10:41:29 pm »

I agree with Dan. I've see it first hand, neighbour out cranking for hours with his cheap booster cables that came in some emergency kit. Nothing won't start. After a lot of cranking and annoyance I go outside and give him my booster cables he says "Nah that isn't going to working I think something is broken." I say "Give it a shot" He does, first crank it starts.

More gauge better, I've never overheated my cables well worth the extra money.

SeasideLass · « **Reply #5 on:** November 22, 2009, 10:53:05 pm »

Seems it's 50/50 here! What I'm understanding then is that shorter cables are better, but higher ampage is better? So in the long run CT at $30.00 is better than Xess Cargo @ 5.00?

I sure don't want 2 sets to run parallel. *Eeek*

Trainman · « **Reply #6 on:** November 22, 2009, 10:59:03 pm »

Quote from: SeasideLass on November 22, 2009, 10:53:05 pm

Seems it's 50/50 here! What I'm understanding then is that shorter cables are better, but higher ampage is better? So in the long run CT at $30.00 is better than Xess Cargo @ 5.00?

I sure don't want 2 sets to run parallel. *Eeek*

I would go with the CT cables too. I have found some of that Xess Cargo stuff to be somewhat less than stellar quality. They are 5 bucks for a reason

Hope you are high and dry! A friend out at Prospect Lake had water in their basement this week, ugh.....

articsteve · « **Reply #7 on:** November 22, 2009, 11:10:57 pm »

A Wave on Victoria Island is not going to take much juice to start.

airbalancer · « **Reply #8 on:** November 23, 2009, 07:07:14 am »

get a membership to an auto club, and forgot about the cables

blur911 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 23, 2009, 08:21:02 am »

I seem to remember laughing at the XSCargo ad, I think they were 12 gauge wire, not anywhere good for 200amps.
Get good cables, they'll last you forever.
Another option is to get a booster pack with the built in cables, started my car with one this morning. Now I have to go swap batteries.

SeasideLass · « **Reply #10 on:** November 23, 2009, 12:00:03 pm »

Thanks guys. I'll go with CT.

Quote from: Trainman on November 22, 2009, 10:59:03 pm

Hope you are high and dry! A friend out at Prospect Lake had water in their basement this week, ugh.....

[/quote]

Not high, at sea level, but I'm dry even though mushrooms are growing on the lawn, and everything is dripping and squelching.

mrthompson · « **Reply #11 on:** November 23, 2009, 01:12:39 pm »

Another vote for the 16' cables from CT. The 10' cables may not be long enough in all possible situations.

airbalancer · « **Reply #12 on:** November 23, 2009, 01:58:06 pm »

Quote from: blur911 on November 23, 2009, 08:21:02 am

I seem to remember laughing at the XSCargo ad, I think they were 12 gauge wire, not anywhere good for 200amps.
Get good cables, they'll last you forever.
Another option is to get a booster pack with the built in cables, started my car with one this morning. Now I have to go swap batteries.

It was $80 at Costco

Trainman · « **Reply #13 on:** November 23, 2009, 02:20:45 pm »

Or these?

http://www.canadiandriver.com/2009/11/23/product-review-michelin-smart-jumper-cables.htm

Quote

Michelin’s “Smart Jumper Cables” are designed to help avoid personal injury and electrical damage that may be incurred during an improper jump-start (or “boost”). They can also eliminate power surges associated with jump starts that may damage a vehicle’s electrical system, or in severe cases cause a battery to explode, by automatically adjusting polarity when the cables are used....

...Michelin Smart Cables would make a fine gift or purchase for someone who is unsure how to connect cables for a jump-start. They are a heavy duty option that is simpler to use than standard cables, and the green LED light confirms that a correct connection between the two vehicles has been made.

Michelin Smart Cables are available in Canada for $39.99 at Zellers stores. Check MichelinSmartCables.com for other locations, online purchasing and additional information about Smart Jumper Cables use...

See, I do read the home page

johngenx · « **Reply #14 on:** November 23, 2009, 02:36:36 pm »

Quote from: Trainman on November 23, 2009, 02:20:45 pm

See, I do read the home page

Suck-up.

airbalancer · « **Reply #15 on:** November 23, 2009, 02:49:49 pm »

Quote from: johngenx on November 23, 2009, 02:36:36 pm

Quote from: Trainman on November 23, 2009, 02:20:45 pm
See, I do read the home page

Suck-up.

There is a home page?

SeasideLass · « **Reply #16 on:** November 23, 2009, 05:33:00 pm »

Quote from: Trainman on November 23, 2009, 02:20:45 pm

Or these?

http://www.canadiandriver.com/2009/11/23/product-review-michelin-smart-jumper-cables.htm

Quote

Michelin’s “Smart Jumper Cables” are designed to help avoid personal injury and electrical damage that may be incurred during an improper jump-start (or “boost”). They can also eliminate power surges associated with jump starts that may damage a vehicle’s electrical system, or in severe cases cause a battery to explode, by automatically adjusting polarity when the cables are used....

...Michelin Smart Cables would make a fine gift or purchase for someone who is unsure how to connect cables for a jump-start. They are a heavy duty option that is simpler to use than standard cables, and the green LED light confirms that a correct connection between the two vehicles has been made.

Michelin Smart Cables are available in Canada for $39.99 at Zellers stores. Check MichelinSmartCables.com for other locations, online purchasing and additional information about Smart Jumper Cables use...

See, I do read the home page

Ooops, I should have read the home page. Sounds like just the ticket!! Thanks......2 good choices now.

rrocket · « **Reply #17 on:** November 23, 2009, 05:38:21 pm »

I'd get a "booster box". It's basically battery cables with its own battery for power. I've seen a few times where somebody has had cables, but there was no car around to get a boost (very late at night), or one where the terminals were difficult to reach (IIRC it was an Intrepid).

wing · « **Reply #18 on:** November 23, 2009, 05:47:18 pm »

Stratus probably, battery in the fender! But they do have a set of booster posts in the engine bay just hard to find.

dr_spock · « **Reply #19 on:** November 23, 2009, 06:17:16 pm »

I prefer to use booster power packs to give someone else a boost. Less chance of screwing up my car's electronics if the jumper cables didn't get connected properly.