So I went to the auto parts store today for something, and asked about wire gauge for jumper cables. The guy told me that 4 gauge wire was the best, because it gives a better connection. Their cables were $25.

At Wal mart the other day, I saw some in a small package that were 10 gauge wire for under $6.

Is there really that much of a difference? The WM cables were in a small compact bag, ideal for the car kit.

Do you think the 10 cables (12ft) would work well?

My wife has a set of WM jumper cables. first time we used them they almost burned up. So yes there is a difference. 10 guage wire is about the same as what you use for house current. If you have to do much cranking they will overheat rapidly. You had better have some leather gloves to hold onto the cables.

I'm no electrician..more of Jack of all trades (and master of none) but I do have some experience in this area. Few years back I was jumpstarting my truck from the wife's car and melted the plastic on the handles. Sometime after, I was told that my cables either couldn't handle the load or the battery was bad...well I know it wasn't the battery..it started the car fine. In answer to your question, I will never depend on cheap jumper cables again. Get the smaller number wire..which is actually larger diameter(curious why they do that) and can carry the load. IMHO

As far as connection...you really just have to make sure it makes good contact, $6 alligator clips on the end of cheap wire should connect as well as the ones on the expensive..what matters is what is in the middle. IMHO

$25 may seem like a lot, but trust me...I like know that if I am jumpstarting my vehicle...I don't have to worry if they will work or not. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

My lady has the small jumper cables in her car. Last year, we had a cold night, and her battery did not have enough juice to start the car the next morning. The little cables worked just fine. Maybe if her battery had been completely dead, they might not have worked as well. Don't know.

BTW, a trick I learned from an OLD tow truck driver is to connect the cables and then wait a couple of minutes. He also taught me to be the only one to connect both ends, so that I know for certain that red is positive and black is negative. Also, get behind something before trying to start the dead car. I saw a car battery vent once while jump starting, spraying battery acid within about a 5-foot radius.

I always buy the longest cables I can. That way if you can't get the "jumper" car in front of the "jumpee" car the cables can reach. Think wind, cold, rain next to the cliff on the side of Hwy-1 in a very small turnout with traffic.

Dave

Of course, if everyone carried jumper cables in their cars, then we could use two sets in series. <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I once read somewhere that when you buy a new set of jumper cables, take some pliers and make sure the clips are tightly crimped to the cables. Probably even more important to do with very cheap cables.

Choose the cables with the biggest cross section (biggest diameter) ; those will have the least resistance and allow a good flow of current.

I once tried to start a car with a cheap set of cables : the car wouldn't start ; too much loss in those tiny cables (high amp + high cable resistance >> huge voltage loss).
When tring with sturdier cables, the car started without problem.

And yes, those bigger cables are more expensive.

As for the length : longer cables >> higher resistance. If they already have a tiny cross section >> they wont do any good and can even be dangerous...

(excerpt from Electricity 101) <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I keep a set of home brew 10 gauge jumper cable on my motorcycle. I'd never use that size with a car battery.

If you buy the cheap cables and they don't work, then you have to call a tow truck and sit and wait for them. Then you have to pay the bill. Then you STILL have to buy a decent set of cables.

Cut out the frustration and get something you know will work.

Do you REALLY want your wife to be stuck out somewhere on a cold, dark, windy, rainy night with $6 cables?

BTW, has anyone else noticed that a lot of the stuff you can get at WallyWorld is watered down, cheaply made and low quality EVEN when they are name brands?

Sue