Jump starting Civics leads to depression

[jeventures]

I’ve had a set of super cheap jumper cables not carry enough voltage.

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[Sandevino]

I carry a set of 15’ long 4 gauge jumper cables made from old Arc welding leads from my OTR diesel mechanic days. I’ve jumped everything with these cables. For lesser charging systems, I have a boost box.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I carry a set of 15’ long 4 gauge jumper cables made from old Arc welding leads from my OTR diesel mechanic days. I’ve jumped everything with these cables. For lesser charging systems, I have a boost box.

You reminded me of a thing I was going to mention but got side tracked with a city historical thing........
The gauge of wire matters, and - the heft of the clamps. Since many are made where the clamp crimps around the wire, it's often not a good gauge and very tight crimp, leading to voltage drop and heat where the wire connects to the clamp.
The really cheap ones some of the strands actually wiggle. Not good. They should be crimped as tight with a good gauge metal like your smaller connectors anywhere in a vehicle. If you have decent cables but the ends are crap - you can resolve that...........or buy better set.

 

[Al.c]

Weird that you weren’t able to start both of them. Were you using your own cables ? I’ve had a bad set of cables.(corrosion inside the terminals) would spark but not carry enough amperage to crank the car. I would try another set if that’s the case. Not sure what you used as a grounding point too. Hope that helps.

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