Cable time. Clad Aluminum ?

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The last time I bought cables was from a really old dude on a bigazz boat stuck on top of a mountain.It was Excelene . I was over at the shop the other day and they had a big spool of "copper" cable but when I grabbed it it was....feathery... #2. WTF ? it's called Royal, Made in merka. Copper clad aluminum. Refreshingly light but not much cheaper than real cable.Excelene #2 $7.85/meterRoyal CCA. USA #2 $ 7.10/meterI like the idea of lite but never used it. Youz guyz ?Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:Here's a .pdfhttp://www.lugume.com/Files/CCI_welding_cable.pdfBubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:Hmmmmmmmm. No comments. I'll stick with copper.... and Oxy for my oldazz back.Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:You need to use a larger size CCA lead than you would with copper.  Other than that, I can't say much bad about it.  We use it extensively in race car applications now, as it's considerably lighter.
Reply:Originally Posted by SupeYou need to use a larger size CCA lead than you would with copper.  Other than that, I can't say much bad about it.  We use it extensively in race car applications now, as it's considerably lighter.
Reply:The PDF of specs shows the CCA to be a direct equivalent to the same AWG size of Cu.Because conductors of any metal and shape only carry the current flow on their outer layer (skin effect), CCA (if the cladding layer of Cu is adequate) should carry the same current as the same AWG size of Cu conductor.When using Al as a substitute for Cu is where you need to start increasing the AWG size of the Al conductor.
Reply:Normally you run 2 sizes bigger when replacing Cu with Al.Even if you are replacing 4ga copper with 2ga aluminum it turns out to be a lot lighter and cheaper. I don't like using aluminum any smaller than 6ga, it breaks too easy as you go smaller.old Miller spectrum 625 Lincoln SP-135 T, CO2+0.025 wireMiller model 250 and WP-18V torchCraftsman 100amp AC/DC and WP-17V torchCentury 115-004 HF arc stabilizerHome made 4 transformer spot welderHome made alternator welder