Best jumper cables for the weird connectors (read: small) in the engine bay?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by SRQ, Jun 18, 2015.

  1. SRQ

    SRQ Member

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    I had to jump my Gen II Prius at a rest stop a few months ago, and the guy that was helping me had jumper cables that BARELY fit the terminals in the engine bay. I couldn't open the hatchback because the power was completely gone, and his cables weren't long enough to run through the back passenger door and to his engine bay. We were eventually able to get it, but only barely.

    Does anyone know of a specific brand or type of cable that will easily attach to the terminals in the engine bay? His cables were the type that were "idiot proof", whereas the copper clamps had plastic covering them in such a manner that it would be extremely difficult to make contact with any other metal. I was thinking motorcycle jumper cables but they may be too thin...

    Hopefully this isn't a silly question and will help anyone in the future that searches for the same challenge.
     
    #1 SRQ, Jun 18, 2015
  2. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    Basically no jumper cable can be too thin for Prius. So motorcycle jumper cables are fine. Or you can make your own. But Prius shouldn’t require jumping so if yours does you should fix it.
     
    #2 valde3, Jun 18, 2015
  3. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    As mentioned above, the Prius doesn't have an amperage sucking starter motor, so even very thin jumper cables with small clamps would work.

    Buy a small pair of spring loaded utility clamps from your local big box hardware store or Walmart:

    http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=400659554036&alt=web

    Take off the vinyl cushions on the tips and handle. You can then clip those to the jump point in the fuse box, then the large heavy jumper clamp can easily go onto the utility clip. ;)
     
    #3 xliderider, Jun 18, 2015
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    are those smaller than they look?
     
    #4 bisco, Jun 18, 2015
  5. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    I would prefer thinner cables. Thick cable hooked onto small clamp like that can jump off. And thinner cables cost less and fit into smaller space anyways.
     
    #5 valde3, Jun 18, 2015
    xliderider likes this.
  6. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    That's all true, but the OP didn't even own the pair used in the first post.
     
    #6 xliderider, Jun 18, 2015
  7. SRQ

    SRQ Member

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    Took a nap at the rest area and left the headlights on, there wasn't enough power to turn the car on when I woke up.
     
    #7 SRQ, Jun 19, 2015
  8. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    So the fix is just to not leave the headlights on when Prius isn’t in ready :D
     
    #8 valde3, Jun 19, 2015
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