We bought a 2003 PJ 14' gooseneck dump trailer early this spring, it's been great except once in a while the power cables get REALLY hot. It actually melted the terminal on one battery. Could this be cured by thicker cables, or is there something else we can check? The hydro pump is connected to a 12V battery by two power cables, I can't figure out why they get so hot. We are going to try thick cables that have the automotive clamp on terminals instead of the wing nut.

Any ideas would be great!

 

Every once in a while, when the cables get really hot, how much of a load do you have on the trailer. It sounds to me like the motor is drawing way too many amps. This is what is melting your cables.

The other thing is there is a corroded wire somewhere, creating a heavy resistance. This will also cause it to draw too many amps.

good luck.

 

Change them out with 00 welding cable, might solve the heat issue, Goodluck,,Rick

 

Test the load weight also.
If the weight of the dump load is at or above MAX rating, it could be putting too much strain on the pump. Make sure all pivot pins are well lubricated and free (not seized). This will also strain the hydraulic system.

 

How many amps does the pump motor draw at full load compared to what it is supposed to draw? If the cable that is being used is large enough for the actual amps being drawn then you have a bad switch contact, poor cable connection or an electric motor problem. As it has already been mentioned, well-greased pivots are also very important for a long motor life.

 

We had one that was bad on batts in the cold. Figured out this one had VERY thick oil in it, changed to a thinner oil and it helped, coincidently, the thinner oil helped find leaks in the hot monthes also..

Jason

 

Check the contacts. Are you using a plug it set-up?
Heat is from resistance. Find the hottest part of the wire and it will give you a clue.

 

Go with the wire of the proper AWG rating with the greatest number of strands. Wire guage is based on the cross sectional area of the entire conductor. Since the electron flow is along the outside surface of the conductor, more conductors provide better electron flow.
More and finer strands do better than a single solid conductor.
I think that's the way they taught us 35 years ago.

 

Shortround, I agree with most everything you say---except the current flows equally thru the wire.
It is high frequency's that flow at the cicumference of a wire. And last I checked there shouldn't be any of that in dc circuits!