Power Cord Long Enough to Get to the Batteries

I would think that the further away from power and gnd would make for less noise but not sure cause all 3 are connected anyways....

 

Get this crimper.


Use the slot with the Pin on it.
Line the pin up with the side with SOLID part on the solderless connector, not the side with the gap.
(The bottom of the terminal, as in the photo the three of them here.)


The pin will grab the wires and not let go.
Heat shrink tubing over that helps in a vehicle. You can use a bic lighter to shrink it.

https://www.amazon.com/Insulated-No...ocphy=9030091&hvtargid=pla-433451501200&psc=1

 

Nooooo dont use those..They suck..
Buy the copper ones for the ga wire you use...1st fill the copper ones with aolder...Next fill all the power/gnd wire strands to be sure each strand makes a connection....Next warm up the solder you filled in the copper connectors and dipp the wire in and let cool..This way you get a really good connect between wires and end..Dont forget to use shrink wrap on the ends to..
If you really wanna care for those more exposed end you can cover them with that electrical grease to..
Basically this idea but tin the wire 1st..

 

You can not effectively crimp 8 ga wire with a hand crimper. You have to use a hydraulic crimper.

Soldering is an alternative but doing both seems to be best with adhesive shrink tube on the connector.

By the way op, 8 ga will give you a minimal amount wire gauge 12 is too small. 6 ga is the best.

 

If you are going to solder, then be sure to clean all the flux off of the joint with alcohol when done. Otherwise, it will corrode regardless of how you seal it. OP said he doesn't want to solder. Solderless terminals are just fine if crimped and sealed properly.

Why would one need #8 wire for a radio that draws 2-3A at max output even on SSB? #8 @25 FT vs #12 is only gonna get you about a 10th of a volt less drop. If you are running an AMP or a 50W 10-meter, then yeah, you need larger wire, but OP mentioned a Cobra 29. I'm also thinking 25ft is a bit long, especially from center of dash to under the cab.

Run the 12. Fuse it at both ends. Properly crimp and seal your connectors, and grommet your holes.

 

We took ours to the hose dealer here in town and had them clamp them for us with there machine.

 

I agree, I’m not sure why all the talk about six and eight gauge wire for a cobra 29. A four watt cobra 29 only draws about 400 Milla amps of power max during transmit. That’s why they have a two amp fuse in the power cable. The protection diode inside the radio is rated at one amp, in case someone reverses the positive and negative power leads while hooking it up. A 14 gauge wire would be sufficient for a 20 ft run.

On the other hand, if the OP is going to use an amplifier someday or run a bigger radio, than that would be different. He would already have the heavier gauge wire installed to the batteries.

 

As far as the crimp style connectors go, I might add, that with smaller gauge wire,I like to tin the wire first. Then crimp and solder the end of the wire to the eyelet lug. never had a problem doing that with smaller gauge wire. And of course a little heat shrink to help keep the moisture out of the connector.

 

"...On the other hand, if the OP is going to use an amplifier someday or run a bigger radio, than that would be different. He would already have the heavier gauge wire installed to the batteries...."

Amen. Lord knows CB owners never stop buying stuff