427Z0SX

Need to crimp the 4-gauge cable. A quick search shows Harbor Freight sells them for $50. Elsewhere on the net, it's $116 at Amazon and up to over $1000. I'm not gonna be doing car stereo install for a living, so it doesn't make sense to spend $50 for a tool that I only use this one time. I might have to pull the buy-and-return routine.

kedar

You can see if a local audio or electrical install shop is willing to crimp your ring terminals for a small fee.

johnnyko12

seriously guys?

insert power cable, place on driveway, smash with hammer. Thats what the guy at the shop is gonna do ;-)

If you want something that you can use for 30 years they have badass gold plated 4awg terminals that you crimp the wire in with an allen wrench for a few dollars. Cheaper than the tool and super classy too!

johnnyko12

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/cat_f...ize-4-awg.html

about halfway down the page they have some chrome bling bling terminals that are 2 for $5 allen crimped :-)

Turbo6TA

I am also using 4-gauge power and ground cables in my system.

I bought some Xscorpion RT4P ring terminals for $5 apiece for my wire.

Works perfectly, and you don't need a special crimper either.

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...pion-RT4P.html

427Z0SX

Looks like I found the solution, thanks guys!

kedar

i also acquired nice terminals for my install and could not use them on the power or ground wire. i have my power lead going off of the remote power location at the fuse box under the hood. the fancy ring terminals (Stinger HPM series) are too thick and did not have enough of an offset and would not fit under the screw . i will soon be replacing the battery clamps with ones that will accept 4 gauge wire which will obviate the need to use a ring terminal altogether for the positive wire. for the ground, if you are running the ground to the factory location on the passenger side a pillar then it won't work either... too thick and won't sit flush against the body (at least the Stinger HPM series ring terminals) .

the hammer method is not ideal. i tried to hammer the hell out of my terminals and still did not get a solid connection. a proper crimper will compress the terminal in four points and not just two. take a moment to read up on DIYMA.

Turbo6TA

I had that problem. Fixed it by just putting a couple of washers under the ring terminal:

markcz

You can get a Hammer Crimper for about $20, then use the proper size ring terminals on all of your wires, and swap out the oem battery terminal for a set of Marine Style (walmart has them for about $6). You'll have the crimper forever, and you can add/remove anything you want to at the battery very easily

0RAAMaudio

I have used lots of screw type terminals, soldering, crimping, etc.....I prefer crimping in most cases and soldering in some, screw type is not my favorite but if you check the on occasion and seal them if under the hood, not to bad.

Rick

427Z0SX

I just ordered a couple of screw-on terminals for connecting the amp to the battery. This is in the hatch, so well protected from the elements. Thanks,