Quick connect jumper cables

Doc got my gears turning.. and my truck already had to be jump started once. as well as jump someone else.. SO. i am going to build some quick connect jumpers. Doc originally gave me the idea from his setup on MULE. Its basically going to be like a plow hookup, but instead of a plow, its going to be jumpers.

it will consist of as follows
-20 foot, 4 ga jumper cables
-30 inch 4 ga leads (from the battery to the connector)
- 1 set of connectors

should i add a solenoid, so i can turn it on and off as i choose, that way the connector at the battery isnt always live?

what do you guys think? good idea?

if i understand correctly seems like a good idea willis (400th post! lol)

I don't think the solenoid is really necessary. If you DO decide to use one, remember to select one that can tolerate several hundred amps.

yeah, wasnt sure about the solenoid. I just wasnt sure if it would be safe to leave the one connector always live. but as long as no monkies go poking around, it should be fine. yall think this is a worthwhile mod? or should i just say frigg it?

willis923 wrote:

yeah, wasnt sure about the solenoid. I just wasnt sure if it would be safe to leave the one connector always live. but as long as no monkies go poking around, it should be fine. yall think this is a worthwhile mod? or should i just say frigg it?

I think it's a worthwhile mod.

But I think it would be simpler just to find an old pair of jumper cables. Cut the clamps off of one end. Connect the other end to your battery. Then clamp the two clamps that are left, to a piece of wood, or a piece of plastic cutting board, etc, that you bolt to the tractor somewhere.

Maybe cut a "sock" for the positive clamp, out of an old inner tube...

Angchor wrote:

Then clamp the two clamps that are left, to a piece of wood, or a piece of plastic cutting board, etc, that you bolt to the tractor somewhere.

its not for my tractor! for my TRUCK!!! lol. my tractor dont even have a battery in it.. lol

willis923 wrote:

its not for my tractor! for my TRUCK!!! lol. my tractor dont even have a battery in it.. lol

ROFLOL!!!

D'OH!!!

Brain fart. I blame it on the beans in my chili.

willis923 wrote:

yeah, wasnt sure about the solenoid. I just wasnt sure if it would be safe to leave the one connector always live. but as long as no monkies go poking around, it should be fine. yall think this is a worthwhile mod? or should i just say frigg it?

I'd certainly do it, as long as you think you're going to use it. It is indeed useful for not only boosting, but BEING boosted. Sometimes powering other 12v goodies too. Obviously there's an expense involved, so I would think that you want to justify it.

In all existing applications that I know of (forklifts, plow trucks, whatever) the connector is constantly live. You'd have to go to some interesting lengths to have it be a problem, I think. You COULD for example, stick a pair of scissors into the connector- thus shorting the terminals together- but you wouldn't be holding the scissors for very long...

Doc Sprocket wrote:

In all existing applications that I know of (forklifts, plow trucks, whatever) the connector is constantly live. You'd have to go to some interesting lengths to have it be a problem, I think. You COULD for example, stick a pair of scissors into the connector- thus shorting the terminals together- but you wouldn't be holding the scissors for very long...

like the other day? i was testing the deep cycle battery in our dump trailer. accidentially put one of the leads into the COM port on my voltmeter... lets just say both leads got very.. very.. hot.. LOL