This is the welding cable size chart

Yes many use welding cable as a cheaper alternative, but fyi most welding cable are not pure copper, and most came with fake rating just like what you said the quality is low. You may see it like full copper but the percentage of the contents are not known, some cable with mixture of other material will looks good when new but degraded very fast at higher temperature and humidity.

Most welding cable use double insulation as their working voltage are higher and design for harsh environment, but it doesn't mean it can withstand the heat of the engine especially in our country.

Another issue is with the thick insulation, many seller tend to use it as a trick to make customer think it's better cable "thick is better" but the copper strands inside is just horribly small. Not to forget it make the install harder and hiding the cable.properly in the panel.is quite a challenge.

Copper price are quite stable as it doesn't fluctuate in a day. So I dont think you can pay lesser and get higher quality at the same time.



This is a proper 8awg power cable for car audio use and with silicone mixed rubber jacket. It can really last for automotive use. Been using it for the past 8 years without any power related issues.

If u know where to find, proper copper cable are not that expensive nowadays.

This post has been edited by howiechoo: May 2 2020, 10:28 PM

Whatever you found in online marketplace are not proper cable, and always overrated. Even some branded welding cable done that.

Follow the chart a 6awg cable can only withstand 125ampere at 30% duty cycle machine, which means the rated current must be reduce by 30% to make it work all the time efficiently. So maybe 125amp need to use awg cable for better transfer? Of course! And it end up you are paying the same price vs audio cable. Right?