Posted by Steve O'Dea on Wed, Jun 09, 2010 @ 10:53 AM
In W.P. Kinsella's book "Field of Dreams" which was later made a movie starring Kevin Costner, one of the famous lines was, "If you build it, they will come." This saying was the driving force for the protagonist, Roy, to build his baseball park in the middle of an Iowa cornfield. It was a pretty good movie and a better book. Isn't that usually the case? Well, here at Pacer, we have been slowly building our website and our product offering in hopes that people will visit in droves. We have a long way to go but we are making progress. Our newest section contains pre-made battery cable assemblies.
As soon as we turned the "Open" sign on in this battery cable store we began to get more calls and orders for folks needing to upgrade or update their cables on their boats, cars, trucks and forklifts. As one of our newer customers commented to me, "this is exactly what I was looking for. No more excess pieces, no more failed crimps." That pretty much sums it up.
One of our new customers had us make a battery cable for his 1949 Ford Woody. He was so excited about getting exactly what he was looking for without making a compromise. He also told me that he was going to the "World of Woody Rally" in which he could not wait to tell all of his fellow "Woody" enthusiasts about where he purchased his battery cables.
On a typical day, our battery cable department makes anywhere from 400-800 battery cable assemblies. Often times they are fulfilling orders for any of our OEM customers for their custom assemblies. They are also ensuring that we have adequate stock of the battery cables listed on the site. One of the advantages our cables have is superior flexibility. We use very fine stranded copper conductors in our cable, and that flexibility helps when installing in a variety of spaces.
When we get an opportunity to make a custom assembly for a special antique vehicle or for a race car, the guys get excited. Perhaps it is the typical monotony of doing the same thing over again and when they get to do something different and know about where it will go, they enjoy the possibilities. I guess we all do in a way. When much of your market is recreation or industrial applications, the little kid inside still wants to build in the sandbox, but with full sized earth movers. Or with antique cars, race cars, all terrain vehicles or, well you get the idea. Remember we don't get to ride too many snowmobiles here in Florida. We can however make the battery cables for them so that they perform at their best up north.
Posted by Sheila Knott on Wed, Feb 24, 2010 @ 03:04 PM
Wouldn't It Be Great to Have a Tips & Tricks Resource for Everything?
By: Steve O'Dea - Pacer Solutions Expert
During my weekend warrior battles with either that over grown invasive vine that has overtaken my fence or with that door in the garage that never closes properly I am often in the position to "figure it out" myself. Typically this is not a problem and the jobs I tackle are well within my limited expertise and require more grunt than grey matter. I will however, without fail, find the most inefficient ways to complete the job. This may mean making a few extra trips to the hardware store or several trips back and forth to the tool bench or my work shed. I am constantly reminded be either my own actions or my wife, that my efficiency is not the best. I will complete the job, but in the time it takes me I could have completed two.
I would probably not only get more completed both in volume and in degree of difficulty if I had a "Tips & Tricks" resource close at hand. I might be able to have the proper tools for the job readily available before I start the project. This would save me untold trips to the hardware store and take much of the guess work out. Look, I watch the DIY network and HGTV a lot around the house and many times those shows give me the inspiration and ideas for the next project. The tips they give are usually pretty good, but their 30 minute program cannot do justice the amount of time I need to complete such a project. The internet is filled with ideas, lessons and instruction on how to do just about everything. Most of the time, when I am knee deep into a "way over my head" project, I cannot just go search the internet. Google would come back with "call a professional" as my search results.
I know most of you are not like me but rather have the experience, smarts and skills to get the job done right the first time. We could really use your help. I don't mean for you to come over and fix that horrible noise my disposal makes, although if you are free...What we really need your help for is to submit tips and tricks you have learned that we might pass along to others who (like me) seem to find the most difficult and inefficient way to complete that item off their "honey do" list. Submit any ideas to sknott@pacergroup.net. If we use your ideas in our "Tips & Tricks" page we will give you a FREE Klein Crimp Tool with your next Pacer purchase! People need help and a resource (well at least I do) and hopefully Pacer Group's Tips & Tricks page can be another resource to aid in an unfamiliar project.
Posted by Sheila Knott on Mon, Jan 25, 2010 @ 12:43 PM
By Steve O'Dea - Pacer Solutions Expert
Would you trust sitting on a chair with only 2 legs? We can all agree that is a stupid question. Save for some episode of "America's Funniest Home Video's" or a YouTube sensation, no one would sit on a chair with just 2 legs. Now chairs with 3 legs properly spaced are a safer bet to rest your rump on, and 4 legs is an optimal choice. What does this purely hypothetical and frankly silly scenario have to do with our business? Well, it will all make sense just follow me.
When crimping battery lugs a four point crimp is much better than a two point crimp. What I mean by that is the more points you can crimp the better, especially when relying heavily on the mechanical crimp. Because we make superior wire and cable that has very fine stranding we do not recommend solder. Many proponents of solder say that it gives another level of protection to a mechanical crimp. The advantages to using a highly flexible, fine stranded copper wire and cable such as resistance to heavy vibration is diminished when soldered. Soldering turns all those little flexible strands into one solid piece and as such creates a brittle point. Resistance to heavy vibration is a major selling point in performance wire and cable and their applications.
Pacer recommends a nice heavy crimp and adhesive lined heat shrink to finish the assemblies. We sell 2 types of battery lug crimpers: First is the AMP Rota-Crimp (VT600850) which can crimp lugs from 8 AWG to 4/0 AWG. We have used one in our battery department that must be 20 years old and it still works great. This tool is heavy duty and features unique spring loaded rotating crimp dies to allow the user to crimp a full range of cables without switching out loose die pieces. This crimper offers a four point crimp on the lug too. I would not recommend this for a hobbyist but for a serious professional (who doesn't mind investing in better tools) it is perfect. We also sell a version of the AMP Rota-Crimp (VT601075) that will crimp lugs up to 1/0 AWG. The second is the Crimp Master Crimp tool. For larger gauge lugs from 6 AWG to 4/0 AWG (VT0280) the Crimp Master is a less expensive alternative. This tool features a dial to adjust for the correct crimp gauge and a three point crimp. The version of the Crimp Master that crimps gauges 6 AWG to 1/0 AWG is the (VT0280C).
We understand that dropping that kind of dough on a tool is not in everyone's budget, especially when you don't need this feature that often. The important lesson to take from this post is that putting the lug in a crimping jig and hitting it with a hammer is not the recommended method for high performance crimps. A two point crimp is not sufficient.
Pacer engineers battery cables for many of the marine manufacturers here in the US. We utilize a pneumatic crimper that creates a repeatable, consistent mechanical crimp that tests way beyond industry standard. We can make these for you too. Because we have our own wire and cable manufacturing plant, we have an advantage on the materials. Even with our labor factored in, many companies utilize our service because we can build these cables custom for less than investing in all the tools and materials. Let us invest in the inventory and processes to supply you with a top notch cable assembly. You will know that the assembly has been tested.
So as you can see the crimping battery lugs does not take a rocket scientist (but if you are one and you are looking for an assembly - call us). It does, however take an understanding of the many numbers that you need to consider before you take on the job.
Posted by Sheila Knott on Fri, Dec 04, 2009 @ 09:05 AM
By: Steve O'Dea - Pacer Solutions Expert
During this (politically correct statement warning) non-denominational wintertime holiday/winter solstice, we are often told that it is the season for giving. Everywhere we turn there is someone ringing a bell, asking for our spare change, and the Salvation Army is a good cause, so chances are we empty our pockets a few times during this season. When shopping for a gift for someone special in our life we will encounter a giving tree, perhaps "Toys For Tots" or another worthy charity that certainly deserves anything we can give. It is good practice to give what we can, when we can. There are many people who could use the help, especially children. There are few things more enjoyable than seeing a child's face light up when they open a gift that is just what they wanted or needed.
The mission of the Jeff Gordon Foundation is to support children battling cancer by funding programs that improve patients' quality of life, treatment programs that increase survivorship and pediatric medical research dedicated to finding a cure. In addition, the Foundation provides support to the Jeff Gordon Children's Hospital in Concord, North Carolina, which serves children in the community by providing a high level of primary and specialty pediatric care. Pacer Group thinks this is a very worthy cause and have partnered with the Jeff Gordon Foundation to help raise funds by offering a give-away at the PRI Show 2009. This give-away includes an assortment of Jeff Gordon racing merchandise, including an autographed die cast model of Jeff Gordon's racecar. Pacer Group is requesting and matching a $1.00 donation for everyone that enters to win the give-away, while attending the PRI Show. My guess is that whoever wins this package will have that same bright-eyed look as the child receiving that special gift they always wanted!
We are also giving away a brand new RHINOTM 5000 Professional labeling tool in another drawing. Labeling with the RHINO 5000 gives your installations a neat, finished look. Finally we are giving away a crimping tool for heat shrink terminals and a Master® UltraTorch® tool. These two additional giveaways do not require a $1.00 donation, but Pacer Group is donating $1.00 per entry in all of the drawings to the Jeff Gordon Foundation. These two tool give-aways are also available to those who cannot attend the PRI Show 2009 by signing up online (Pacer Group's PRI Give-Away).
Giving truly is more gratifying that receiving, unless of course you win something for free! By entering, we are all giving to a cause that helps children and their families who are battling a disease that continues to affect so many lives. Let us know your feedback or comments on this or any of our blog posts.
Posted by Sheila Knott on Thu, Nov 12, 2009 @ 09:57 AM
By Steve O'Dea - Pacer Solutions Expert
Pacer Group has traditionally worked with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the marine market. This experience in working to help our customers overcome common occurring problems and improve the product they sell to the consumer. These problems include, but are not limited to heavy vibrations, harsh environments and fragile connections. Unfortunately the electrical systems are considered mission critical to keeping the vessel working. This part most people take for granted until something goes wrong.
When we began working with industries outside of the marine market, we found many of the same challenges. The Performance Racing Industry experts have to deal with heavy vibrations in their eternal quest to get more speed out of their vehicles. Most segments of their industry also deal with harsh environments. The race across the Mojave Desert would be considered a harsh environment, as would the Bonneville Salt Flats. Everyone in The Performance Racing Industry spends a great deal of resources, money and time to go faster. The last thing they want to happen is to watch all of that work go down the drain because of a faulty terminal connection on a simple part that failed. No one takes comfort in "Oh well, we'll get them next week."
Snowmobiles, stock cars, mud racers, ATV's, open wheel, go-carts, powerboats, trailers, drifter cars, material handlers and more, all use terminals for connecting to switches and breakers in their electrical systems. Unfortunately, at some point a so called "expert" told many of the OEMs and repair guys that solder was the best solution. The reason this solution is not recommended by Pacer is that it creates a solid and brittle point at the end of the wire or wires. The heat of the solder melts into the soft copper stranding and, instead of having a flexible high stranded wire; you are left with a solid and unforgiving point where the terminal meets the wire; arguably the location most prone to heavy vibration and failure. The solution is using heat shrink terminals.
Heat shrink terminals with epoxy are insulated and offer much more durability than nylon or vinyl insulated terminals. OEMs and repair experts alike have used non insulated terminals and then applied heat shrink to them to finish the crimp and they have the right idea. To save even more time, inventory money and space, move to terminals with heat shrink already applied. This process eliminates at least one step while achieving the same results, if not better. Crimp the terminals properly on the wire using a crimping tool specifically designed for heat shrink terminals. Next, heat the insulation with a heat tool. This will cause the insulation to shrink around the wire and a very tiny bit of epoxy to ooze out and finish the seal like a tiny bead of caulk. This creates a water tight seal that can stand up in heavy vibration.
If you have read the blog posts here, you might already know that I like my clichés and truisms. Those who do not learn from their past mistakes are doomed to repeat them. Fortunately, Pacer has learned from past mistakes and now you are not doomed to repeat them. Let us know if you have any questions or suggestions for future blog posts. Sometimes what we do everyday as a routine can help you overcome a challenge in your work - and vice versa. Sharing our findings and collaborating with each other will only make us all improve our products or service. Also, if you will be attending the PRI 2009 trade show in Orlando in December, please come and visit us at booth # 1142.