The entire jump-starting process relies on the clamps. It is also important that the clamps are protected with proper insulation in order to inhibit accidentally touching the positive and negative cables. The insulation also has to hold up well in varying weather conditions, especially the freezing cold. A thick layer of rubber or rubberized plastic that covers the entire surface area of the cable is ideal. The jumper cable’s insulation is the only thing that protects the user from suffering from electrical shocks and burns, and so it must be of the highest quality. Here are some features that you should pay attention to when shopping for jumper cables.
While some are meant for heavy-duty use, others are made for lightweight emergencies, like passenger cars with dead batteries. Different FeaturesĮven though most jumper cables look the same, they do have important distinctions. It is also a good idea to store your jumper cables in a special carrying case or in a storage spool in order to keep them in prime condition. The manufacturer’s product information will promote this feature. While a set of 25-foot jumper cables are naturally going to be bulky and difficult to handle, it is important to find cables that are marketed to resist tangling. When you need your jumper cables, you need them to be accessed quickly and without a hassle. No one should have to face the dreaded “tangled Christmas lights in a box” dilemma during an emergency.
It is important to know that any gauges higher than 6 could melt or short out in use. The lower the gauge is, the more “heavy-duty” the cables.Ĭommercial trucks, RVs, and SUVs usually use a 1 or 2-gauge cable, while 4 or 6-gauge cables are frequently used as emergency cables for economy vehicles and standard passenger cars. Jumper cables are usually rated by three factors: total amperage load, metallic composition, and the gauge of the wiring. While 10-foot jumper cables are able to connect two front-to-front vehicles, it is not always possible to align the batteries so closely. It is best to invest in jumper cables that are 20 to 25-feet long. For the sake of your safety, you should purchase cables that have heavy rubber or plastic sheathing protecting the clamps. The best jumper cables protect against accidental contact by providing generous insulation around the clamps. After the positive and negative cables are connected from the “good” battery, it is important not to have any contact between the opposite clamps. Jumper cables can always present a major shock hazard, even when used properly. What to Consider When You’re Looking For Jumper Cables 1. To help you narrow your search for the right jumper cables, we’ve put together a guide to help you understand the different types and what each one can offer you and your vehicle. However, cables are something you’ll rely on to get you out of an emergency situation so it’s important to find a quality set, regardless of price. When deciding which cables to go with, you might value cost over quality. With that said, there’s a lot of options out there for jumper cables and they aren’t all created equal, to say the least.
This is why I, like many others, keep a set in my trunk at all times. Luckily, your problems can be fixed with a reliable set of jumper cables. Regardless, when your car dies, it’s anything but fun. There are a lot of additional culprits as well, such as a bad alternator. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve accidentally left my headlights on overnight only to wake up to a dead battery and a car that won’t start. Your vehicle’s starter system and the battery can die at any given moment for a multitude of reasons.
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