Ontario BS Thread

Eugene currently:

 

I know so little about this shiz, but copper coated aluminum doesnt really sound like what I want?

It is a fraction of the cost, so it seems like it would not be as great?

 

2 gauge is cheeper

 

Years ago I went to James bay and toured the big hydro plant there.
All the electrical lines taking electricity from the dam and distributing it were aluminum. I'm pretty sure they still are.
They said it had something to do with the weight.
If its good enough for them should be good enough for a winch
I have some pics but it just looks like any other hydro station so hears a better one.

 

Whatcha end up doing with the runner?

 

I am not convinced that the properly made, hydro lines are the same as the unknown chineezium jumper cables.


@Joe23 plz weigh in, mr.knows.wtf.is.up

I am just getting more confused tbh.

 

Mr. @daks would also be a good contributor

 

Power transmission lines are high voltage and relatively low current, so they can get away with higher resistance without creating too much heat.

 

Almost all over head lines are aluminum if that's what you're asking.

Basically as said and also cost.
Overhead services coming into houses are almost all aluminum.
Most feeds in underground service are aluminum. At least in the 3 years I did low rise everything was.


All those black cables you see in that tray are single conductor 750kcmil aluminum Teck cable.

The new former Toronto Star printing press data centre off the 400 and 407 is the largest in North America and it's all aluminum feeders as well. Because the building structure couldn't withstand the weight of copper.


Copper is significantly heavier and more expensive. There's no issues with aluminum wire as long as it's terminated properly.

I'm not sure if I answered what you're asking as all I gathered from the quoted post was about using aluminum wire in the hydro line and something about jumper cables.

Aluminum jumpers will work fine but the issue with aluminum is oxidization and direct current usually speeds up oxidation.

Something to note with copper welding cable which is usually used. Or the fine strand stuff is its more flexible and if it's DLO type cable or welding cable it will either be zinc or enamel coated to reduce oxidization since they are mostly used in DC applications


I've never heard of copper coated and the idea doesn't make sense to me as by code you can't mix aluminum and copper without an antioxidizing paste as the try different metals oxidize quick.


Seriously that shit mixed will burn down a house...

So I'm not sure why those cables are mixed.

 

Ok I just scrolled back this is all about hooking up a winch.

2awg is fine in short runs if you're running long distance which you are. Should be at least 1awg if not 1/0.

Winch is high current draw. Up to 400amp under full load.

Those jumper cables are different current rating and that's meant for short bursts not constant run time.


Anderson connectors will be colored differently and different colored won't fit other colored ones. Safety feature so you don't hook up wrong voltage or current.

At least any good quality branded Anderson won't.
I know another cheaper source for them but it's in Pickering. It's where I get all mine. Certain industrial suppliers and service shops for fork lifts etc might stock them as they're used often.

I wouldn't do anything less than a 1/0 for a winch though that's a longer run than 5ft
And if it's over 10ft 2/0.

What Peter said is what I did as well. Just used one color and color coded ends. Same shit we go at work. All black cable color coded with tape.

What Peter said is right but he thinks my lug terminations are overkill cause they're both soldered and crimped.

But meh that's cause I didn't have the option to get a 10ton hydraulic crimp from work when I was doing the winch lol.
For other shit I've done the lugs are high pressed on. Granted you likely don't need to do it. And a 10ton crimp that you pump will be $80 easy. I just get easy access to a 10ton battery powered $2800 crimp from work lol



Get a lug, fill it with pieces of solder. Take a torch to it and when it's all melted and liquid put your wire in. Let it cool then crimp.
I mainly started doing this because I wasn't happy with the tightness of the bolt cutter style crimp I have. It's fine on 10gauge. But bigger cable I find it didn't grab as tight

 

we stock grote good quality

 

Good brand same ones I use. But I pay less. Different supplier and I have an account.

Does that price include the lugs? Those add up quick.

I buy everything individually


Will say that's actually a pretty good retail price.

 

yah they come complete can get a cheeper brand too unibond that's the part numbers not pricing

 

I gotta stop working on my truck - had to catch up like 3 or 4 pages of posts!

Got the front bumper mounts welded up last night. used the winch for the first time to hook up to the garage ceiling to take the weight off it. Wish I had that option when I installed it 2 years ago (in the apartment underground parking)… She's nice and solid now!

Got my Rock Auto order today, so centre driveshaft bearing going in tonight, and axle seal tomorrow!

 

The old girl has served me well.

 

The truck o' nine colours!...still got it?

Mine...

 

Ya for retail/public sale that's actually a really good price.
And I know I mean based on your post before of pricing for the wire etc. The bigger high current ones get to there in price.

 

8 lugs