Each motorist at least once in a life sits down the battery. Without it, it is impossible to start a car, and there is no other way to go, how to start the engine from another vehicle. In this case, the presence of a wire for lighting the car is a real salvation. This easy-to-use accessory is indispensable when the vehicle is on the sidelines.
This device must always be in the car, not only so that your own car is on the go, but also to help other motorists who are in a difficult situation. This article provides an overview of the best models and gives tips on choosing the most suitable option that fully meets the needs of the user. We consider not only ordinary wires for “lighting” a car, but also professional brands and their various types for different purposes.
Forney 52878
Good cigarette lighter wires cannot be cheap, and this model is a prime example of this. Its cost exceeds 12 thousand rubles. Forney 52878 is not only distinguished by its large length exceeding 7 m, but also by using the best materials. A pair of wires is made of industrial grade copper welding wire , both ends of which are equipped with heavy-duty clamps of 500 A.
Although the kit is quite expensive, it will last a long time, will not break, will not overheat and will not melt during use. The manufacturer has a shorter and cheaper option, but if the best is needed, then it is worth stopping at a seven-meter one.
Forney 52878 users are very satisfied, and in almost all reviews they say that they will never need other wires to “light” the car again.
Bayco SL-3010
This is also a high quality product, but it costs less. The kit has a length of 7.6 m (a smaller size is not made) and is characterized by extremely durable clamps designed for 800 amperes. However, there is no information about the characteristics of the wires for "lighting". The clamps are made of steel, not copper. Steel "crocodiles" perform the same work as copper ones, but copper conducts current better and, therefore, is a more favorable material. Other specs suggest that the Bayco SL 3010 is a high-end product with good features and an excellent reputation. Users do not report any special issues with this kit.
Energizer 1-Gauge
Another interesting product with high performance. It is a package with cigarette lighter wires longer than 9 m and a Quick Connect connector for quick and easy connection to car sockets. It should be noted that this kit does not have clamps on both sides, as usual, since Quick-Connect sockets are installed on one side. This limits the scope of this model for machines equipped with such outputs, so it is better to check compatibility before purchasing.
Energizer 1-Gauge is the best choice for professional car evacuation users and people who have cars with Quick Connect outlets. Wires of different lengths and at different prices are available. The quality of the materials is good and there are no problems with Energizer 1-Gauge.
Performance Tool W1667
This is a mid-range product with good features and a modest price. Copper-coated steel clamps are not well insulated, which may seem unacceptable to demanding users. The cable length is 6 m - not short, but less than some other models.
In general, if you need inexpensive, but good wires for “lighting” a car, then this kit will be a suitable choice, although you should not expect the durability of more expensive brands from it. With 500 A clamps, they must withstand the most common tasks.
The Performance Tool W1667 is available in various sizes and at affordable prices, but the best offer is a portable kit with other cables and connections for almost any purpose and need.
Energizer 2-Gauge
An affordable product of good quality is Energizer's offer with standard “crocodiles” for cigarette lighter wires on both sides, coated with copper for better conductivity. However, the conductors themselves are not copper. They are made of copper coated aluminum. This is a cheaper solution because copper transmits electricity better, but aluminum is lighter and cheaper. 6 meters long is enough for most users, and the insulating material retains flexibility and insulating properties even at -40 ° C.
Thanks to a really affordable price, this is a good offer for motorists who do not need regular lighting, but who need a set of reliable wires in case of emergency. The manufacturer produces sets of different lengths.
FJC 45245 2 Gauge
This inexpensive, modest product with professional-grade wires and ordinary steel clips with a nominal value of 600 A. A length of 7.6 m is its advantage, but many people may not like the inexpensive insulation and design of the “crocodiles”. However, if you do not need to supply power every day, these wires are suitable for motorists who do not want to stay on the sidelines.
Experts do not recommend this model unconditionally, since there are much better options on the market for a slightly larger amount.
Coleman 08660
These are simple and affordable classic-style wires with standard copper-plated clamps. Designed for warm and cold climates. In the dark they have polarity labels.
The wires are available in two sizes - 3.5 m and a larger, more desirable length of 6 m. This is a relatively simple product without any additional functions, but with one problem. Both cables are the same color, which can cause confusion. Although the terminals are colored red and black, indicating the positive and negative ends of the battery, both wires are red. In emergency situations, when starting the engine in the dark, it is difficult to understand what kind of cable it is, and you can make a mistake in a hurry. That's why experts do not recommend this product, even though it is a reliable set of wires.
CBC25 Heavy Duty 2 Gauge
More than 9 m long, at an affordable price and with good features, this set of wires is one of the products that experts recommend the most. It is equipped with a heavy-duty and ultra-flexible cable, as well as 600 A clamps with copper inserts for the best connection.
The wires are colored red and black for quick recognition of polarity, as it should be. The model is designed for warm and cold climates, provides insulation flexibility at temperatures up to -55 ° C and is suitable for systems with voltages of 12 and 24 V. Such versatility indicates that the quality of the wires is good and they can withstand high voltage and intensive use. Although most vehicles use 12-volt systems, some models are powered by 24 V. power supplies. This versatility indicates that the wires are suitable for professional use.
Cartman heavy duty
This is another affordable but really good product that comes in several sizes and sets. The difference between them is not only in length, but also in the design of the clamps. Depending on the option chosen, you can purchase well-insulated and copper-coated crocodiles that are easy to use with any type of car battery.
The wires are made of copper-coated aluminum, which is the standard for most models on the market, and the maximum allowable current is 600 A. The cable insulation is made of TPR material, which is characterized by high resistance at low temperatures (up to -40 ° C), so it can be use in extremely cold conditions.
So if the car needs a light, Cartman wires will be one of the best options, especially since they come with a nice bag for storing them.
OxGord 4 Gauge
For users who decide which wire to "light" a car is better to buy, experts advise one of the cheapest models on the market - OxGord 4 Gauge. The manufacturer offers different sizes (from 3.7 to 7.6 m). Each option does not differ in terms of the type of clamps (they are coated with copper) and colors (red and black). The kit includes a practical plastic bag for storing the cable. The wires are made of copper-coated aluminum, and the insulation is made of TPR. This material is designed for temperatures up to -40 ° C.
The manufacturer is a well-known brand, so the OxGord 4 Gauge is great for personal use and to be in the car in case of emergency. However, this is not a professional product with heavy duty features. Therefore, if you need something for commercial use, you should not consider the possibility of acquiring it.
Experts advise buying the longest option (7.6 m), which will be enough to run ordinary cars, as well as large SUVs or trucks.
Buying Tips
First of all, you need to familiarize yourself with what kind of lighting wires are, their specifications and rules of use. This is a simple car accessory, which basically consists of 2 thick industrial types of cables with “crocodiles” clamps on each side.
In most cases, for convenience, one of them is painted red and the other black. Black indicates the negative pole of the power source, and red indicates the positive. The cables themselves are exactly the same, interchangeable, but it is important not to confuse them.
What kind of cigarette lighter wires are better? When buying, you should listen to these important tips:
- Always buy the longest wires. This is very practical, because they allow you to connect 2 cars, which in an emergency are difficult to position perfectly - side by side or nose to nose. In such cases, longer cables are the only way to successfully complete the task and start the motor. Most wires available on the market are short (up to 3 m), but longer sets should be purchased. There is no real limit, so you need to purchase the longest cables you can find. This will avoid the situation when there are wires, but it is impossible to connect them, because they are too short.
- Always buy thick and heavy wires. There are cheaper and thinner models on the market, but they should be avoided, since they are only suitable for 1-2 uses, and then overheat and fail. Cigarette lighter wires bought or made by oneself must pass high currents and be strong, high-quality and durable. Cheap and thin simply do not meet these requirements, so it is better to use industrial grade materials. Pure copper cables are preferred, but copper coated aluminum is also good. Most modern cars are equipped with powerful batteries, especially large trucks and SUVs, so for their successful launch you will need a larger wire cross section for “lighting”. They should also have reliable clamps that could provide the best connection between the two batteries and transmit high currents.
- Good cables are expensive. The main difference between good and bad wires is the quality of the materials. Cheap ones can cost only 600–1200 rubles, but they can withstand 1-2 uses and can be very dangerous if they are used incorrectly. Reliable wires can cost 10 times more, but they will last a lifetime. Experts recommend buying the best cable you can afford, since this is an important part of the car’s equipment.
If you wish, you can make wires for "lighting" with your own hands. Components (cable and clamps) should be selected according to the inrush current indicated on the battery. In most cases, a stranded copper wire with a cross-sectional area of 16 mm 2 will be enough, but for large currents a larger cable diameter will be required. It is important that the insulation is reliable and can withstand low temperatures (for example, silicone or frost-resistant rubber).
How to use wires?
There is no difficulty in this, but there are several important things that you need to know about in order to do this successfully. If you do not follow them, serious problems can arise, including fire, so you need to remember them every time you “light” a car:
- Starting the engine of the donor machine. Prior to connecting the wire, the vehicle that is used to power the discharged battery must be started and idle when the gearbox is in neutral, on the hand brake or in parking mode for the automatic gearbox. The vehicle must not move.
- Battery Connection To do this, open the hoods of both vehicles. The colors of the battery terminals will tell you which wires to use for lighting the car. Use the red cable to connect the positive pole (+ sign) of one battery to the red terminal of the other. Then you need to connect the black battery terminals with a black wire (- sign). Cables must not be crossed or laid on the motor to avoid breaking the insulation if the motor is hot. You cannot connect terminals of opposite colors and characters. If this is done, a short circuit will occur, and the battery current will melt the wires, or they will fail, and in the worst case, a fire or even explosion of the battery will occur . This is very dangerous, and you should always check that the connection is correct, as it is better to spend extra time on adhering to security measures than to regret later.
- Starting a car with a dead battery. This should be preceded by a slight increase in the engine speed of a machine with a good battery. When the rotation speed reaches about 3000 rpm, the generator will turn on, which will replenish the charge and increase the battery power, ensuring that the start will be successful and quick. On the other hand, the generator will make up for the deficiency in the electrical system of the donor car and prevent any related malfunctions, since the new models are sensitive to power outages. Then you should turn the ignition key, and the starter should start the engine in a matter of seconds. If the motor does not start, you must try again by going through the start procedure until the desired result is obtained. After the engine of the car with an inoperative battery starts working, you can stop gassing and go to the next stage.
- Disconnecting wires for "lighting". When both cars are running, it's time to disconnect the batteries. Care must be taken in this case, as there is still a risk of fire or electrical problems. First, you need to disconnect the red (+) battery connectors, and then do the same with black ones. In no case should you touch the clamps to each other with the wires connected. This will cause sparks, which in themselves are not harmful, but indicate a short circuit that can cause a blown automotive fuse or problems with the on-board computer.
Handle hot wires carefully. If the cables are of poor quality, then when they are used, they can become very hot. They may burn out insulation, and bare wires for lighting can touch the car. This may cause damage to the vehicle or cause it to catch fire. If the cables are overheated, but visually they are not damaged, you should still consider them as such and purchase another kit. For this reason, experts recommend buying reliable wires of large cross-section, which can last a long time and do not heat up when used.