How thick should the jumper cables for a car be?
3 Answers
For household cars, it is recommended to use copper jumper cables with an outer diameter of 10mm or more, typically 3-4 meters in length. Below are solutions for a dead battery and precautions for jump-starting: Solutions for a dead battery: If a motorcycle's battery is dead, it is best to remove the battery and charge it using a charger. In emergency situations, jump-starting can be used to charge the battery. Jump-starting requires a rescue vehicle and two jumper cables prepared in advance. Precautions for jump-starting: It is important to note that during the jump-starting process, the positive and negative terminals must not come into contact, as this could cause a short circuit. Regularly check the condition of the battery during normal use, and perform timely inspections if any issues arise.
From my years of experience helping people jump-start cars, I know that jumper cables must be thick enough. When the current flows through, it can be very high. If the cables are too thin, they may overheat, smoke, or even catch fire, especially when starting the engine in cold winter when the current is stronger. It's best to use cables around 4-gauge in size. There are dedicated jumper cable sets available on the market, usually paired in red and black for easy identification of positive and negative terminals. When connecting, make sure the clamps are tightly secured to the battery terminals—if they're loose, sparks may occur. Also, avoid cables that are too long; around 3 meters is sufficient, as longer cables increase resistance and reduce effectiveness. For long-term storage in the car, protect them from moisture and rust, so I usually coil them neatly and store them in the trunk toolbox to avoid issues when needed.
I often encounter situations where I need to jump-start a car with a dead battery on the roadside, and I really think the cables need to be thick enough. Thin ones like phone charging cables simply won't cut it—the current can't pass through, and the engine won't turn over. The ideal thickness is about the size of a finger, and most cables sold on the market are either 2-gauge or 4-gauge, made of pure copper for good conductivity. Once, I tried using thin cables and almost melted them—luckily, nothing bad happened. When buying, don't go for cheap options; choose ones with insulated layers and good voltage resistance, priced between a few dozen to a hundred bucks. When using them, connect the positive terminal first, then the negative, and turn off the headlights to reduce the load for safety. Remember to regularly check the cables' condition to avoid them failing when you need them most.
