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Old 08-16-2022, 08:22 AM   #1
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Thumbs up Where do you get your wire?

I’m looking for all the different gauge wire that I’ll need to run electrical in my bus. Just looking for suggestions on where to buy. Specifically the big 4/0 battery cables. Seems like lowes and Home Depot don’t carry wire that large.

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Old 08-16-2022, 08:49 AM   #2
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I've usually bought large gauge wire like that from ebay, myself. It tends to be cheaper, and the options range wider.

But if you're looking for something local, go find a car stereo installer place. They're equipped and stocked to carry stupidly large wire like 4/0 as well as to terminate it for you. But be warned, they may only carry some kind of 'pretty' wire that comes at a 'pretty' price tag.
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Old 08-16-2022, 09:08 AM   #3
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Locally, we're pretty fortunate that we have a Napa which carries a large stock of big truck (semi and bus) parts...and they also have 4/0 cable and terminal rings for them. Our Napa will cut and crimp and shrink sleeve the cables at no charge, beyond the parts cost, which is quite handy. You might check with Napas in your area as a possible option for you, especially if you don't have proper crimp tools.
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Old 08-16-2022, 09:56 AM   #4
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Wire Sources

I bought some 4/0 recently from City Electric Supply, paid close to $5/ft. Check with local Electrical Suppliers.

For cut lengths, I also order from www.shopwirenco.com They have good prices on wire & shipping.

Should be an easy find. 4/0 is common in residential & small retail services. We use MCM (or kcml) sizes up to 2000, for energy production & distribution.
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Old 08-16-2022, 06:12 PM   #5
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For the small stuff, I'm reusing wires I pulled off the bus. Heavy wire, NAPA
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Old 08-16-2022, 06:49 PM   #6
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I've used Wire & Cable Your Way, an internet retailer, with good results.
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Old 08-21-2022, 06:40 PM   #7
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Your local welding supply store will have at least 0GA, and may have (or be able to get) 4/0GA. Wonderful stuff. The super thin copper strands makes it very flexible, and the outer sheath is designed for hard use in industrial conditions including chemical exposure, high heat and freezing conditions, and having live sparks from welding thrown on it regularly. If it can handle all that it can handle bus life easily. And, it tends to be a reasonable cost per foot compared to other suppliers.
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Old 08-24-2022, 02:16 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bus-bro View Post
I've used Wire & Cable Your Way, an internet retailer, with good results.
Ditto. Great quality wire at good prices as long as you buy in bulk (which for most of the smaller stuff you have to). We bought ALL our wires and cables from them in one order, which qualified us for free shipping. Without the free shipping, though, it would probably have been less expensive to source locally.
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Old 08-27-2022, 04:46 AM   #9
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