Amzcnc Hydraulic Cable Lug Crimper - 10-ton

OK, I was on the fence about buying this thing. $40 tool, possible throw away. Better imo than the kinetic masher lug crimper as I still have all my fingers and toes...

Today, I crimped 2/0 (or double-aught) cable lugs on battery cables that um, repurposed and were cut for custom wire in the boat... had it on hand, boat never sees salt, still good copper wire (no not tinned copper, but good wire for the price of free).

Went to the local exide/interstate battery store and bought a pile tinned of 3/8 "2/0" battery ends.

Used this 10-Ton hydraulic smasher to fit the lugs on the cables:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09833ZWWK

I only made one mistake and it was pretty much my fault. figured it out the error of my ways, and was good to go after that.

Made a dozen crimps (not counting the one I screwed up) on a dozen lugs. I figured it payed for itself today, any additional crimps I make are bonus.

Useful if you have a third hand (a helper) to shove the cable into the lug while smashing the fitting closed it is super helpful, I figured out a way to do it solo, but yeah, had a buddy help and results were way better...
ALSO: use marine grade shrink tube to seal the crimp / copper / wire. Looks good and should be good for the lifetime I think it'll serve.

Makes nice hexagonal (I think) crimps on the lugs.

I would buy one of these again and recommend buying another.

Worked well on the big-ole-cable. I should have tried it on the 10AWG connectors I was making also, but I used my trusty kline crimpers instead. (marine shrink wrap fittings, so they got a little heat when done and looked pretty).

--edit--

The purpose of this was to add a second battery to the boat, and have a second battery to run our shiny new electric downriggers and maintain a primary battery for running the boat motors. Achieved.

 

BTW: we made these cables to go into the 1-All-2 version of the perco marine dual battery switch, the 2/0 ground wires and such. I'mma gonna use the 6-8 feet of remnants on the jeep when I get ready to wire up the battery/starter/grounds.

 

Hmmm. That seems like short money for the advantages. I might have to pick up one of these. Like you said, once you've done a few crimps it'll have paid for itself.