jumper cables

[moonroof]

I am in the market for some decent jumper cables. During my recent research, I had seen two options.

First, to buy welders cables (2/0 or 1/0 gauge), clamps and make your own cables. But I am not sure how to securely attach the clamps to the cables.

Second, to buy jumper cables of good quality. I am looking at NAPA and see a 25' 4 ga cable for around $120 or so.

So, has anybody DIYed custom jumper cables using welding cables? Is it a DIY job to attach clamps to them?

What length is optimum? For 16' long car, can worst case (parked with front in the garage) by handled by a 20' cable or does one need 25' cable?

Is 4 ga usually okay for?

Thanks.

[chronoti]

at 120 i'll just buy a jumper box and keep it charged. i think i got mine from harbor freight for $40, had it for almost 2 years now? haven't charged it for 9 months and i killed my battery (left the lights on) kicked it right over no problem. the battery inside is the sealed lead acid that they use in emergency lights or back up batteries, so if you ever need a new one you can always borrow one from work

[csharp100]

I have a jumper box as well and love it! Let me ask some questions? Why spend a bunch of money on jumper cables that really should not be used that much? How often are you jumping a battery? Why are you jumping a battery that much? If your in the towing business, you should have access to "quality" jumper cables. IMO I would buy a jumper box and a less expensive pair of cables. and you problably will not spend $120.00.

[moonroof]

Good questions. I am actually new to car maintenance stuff (always public transportation before, till I relocated recently).

I am looking at jumper boxes now. However, I was considering that storing and maintenance of jumper cables is quite straightforward as compared to a jumper box. On the other hand, a cable by itself won't be of any good in an emergency.

I wonder of some people can chip with their experiences with both methods.

[csharp100]

Amazon

Amazon

The Coleman 08660 should be just fine for the DIYer. I can tell you from experience I have jumped more cars then being jumped myself. You can probably find a decent pair at walmart. Remember, if YOU are the car being jumped than the positive cable should be on the positive post of the battery and the negative cable should be on a ground away from the battery, not on the negative post of the battery. The "jumper" car is ok to have the cables on the posts of the battery. With a jumper box, I do the same. The positive cable on the positive post of the battery and the negative on a ground of the vehicle.

I take my booster box out about once a month and plug it in to make sure I have it fully charged. Usually overnight. Once it is charged it has a circuit in it to automatically stop charging. Frankly I have only used it a few times and none of them on my car. They are still nice to have though. Keep you battery maintained and multimeter test it every once in a while it you will not have to use either the cables of the booster box.