Why Did My Jumper Cables Melt. If your jumper cables feel hot take them off carefully and try again after they cool down. The insulation on the jumper cables had portions melted off.

Cheap thin jumper cables that have thin wires which create a lot of resistance heat. If there is too high amperage being transferred with the cables that can melt the insulation and cause smoke. The heavier the jumper cables the better the charge rateIn over 60 years I have found that IF I try to start the dead battery vehicle after about 60 to 90 seconds it will usually startIF it.
2 things cause this.
But the damage was done. But the damage was done. The insulation on the jumper cables had portions melted off. This gives the current carrying capacity of the wire.
