Battery Cable Needed

[JHylton]

I need a NOS (if possible..) positive battery cable for a 91.5 D250. Large cable terminal end with two pigtails molded into the lead head in addition to the main battery lead. Can't believe none of the NAPA or local stores don't carry it. No surprise that Dodge has dropped it from inventory. Thanks !!

 

[kthaxton]

Make your life easier, buy these battery terminals, then use universal battery cables with standard ring lugs on each end. They make it much easier to add accessory items to your battery as well.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#mil.-spec.-battery-terminal-clamps/=w33gif

Here's a pic from my 86:

 

[JHylton]

Looks like a good idea...........I will have to find ring lugs large enough to accommodate that positive cable. It is the size of a welding cable..those diesel starters pull a lot of current, and my 1st Gen has only a single batter...1250 amp hour rating.

 

[JR]

I agree, make your own. Although I bought soldered connections, with these large cables I think its a better option. Napa SHOULD carry battery cable by the foot, connections will be iffy though.

 

[seafish]

McMaster ALSO sells quality battery wire in various gauges and lengths,a s well as the terminals. When I make my cables, I am going to upgrade the crossover from 2-0 to 1-0 tinned copper wire to help prevent corrosion and other problems with the xo cable leading to over charging of the PS battery. I will use the McMaster mil spec terminals (or perhaps these newly available from genos garage -- http://www.genosgarage.com/BATTERY-...-RED-COVER/productinfo/UBT-840P/#.VPC6it7lOM4 ). I will use one of these lug anvils to make the crimp connections-- http://www.amazon.com/Forney-57637-Lug-Crimping-Tool/dp/B003X51S00/ref=pd_cp_hi_0 They work from #8 - 4/0 wire, fairly handy!!

 

[JHylton]

Seafish - I do like the looks of the genosgarage terminal. Gonna order one of those and go that route. Thanks for the tip !!

 

[wjpatton]

Or you can go to a welding supply house and get welding cables. More flexible and depending on size, can carry tons of current. Most stores have lots of cable connectors, too.

 

[kthaxton]

Welding cables aren't a very good choice, the insulation on them is not designed to handle the under hood environment....i.e. heat, oil etc.

 

[seafish]

Welding cables aren't a very good choice, the insulation on them is not designed to handle the under hood environment....i.e. heat, oil etc.

While many people choose to use welding cable, it IS true that generally they are not oil resistant rated.

I will use either the cable for McMaster Carr which IS oil rated, or perhaps even this stuff…it is from a high end aftermarket car stereo accessory manufacturer…in fact, the same one that makes the battery terminals that Genos is selling. The 4/0 wire is NOT that much more then the 2/0 that McMaster sells, and furthermore it IS tinned OFC copper, ULTRA fine strand and ULTRA flexible, oil rated.

http://www.knukonceptz.com/mobile-a...kolossus-fleks-red-40-gauge-powerground-wire/

http://www.knukonceptz.com/mobile-a...lossus-fleks-black-40-gauge-powerground-wire/

It is NICE wire!!!



They even do sell 4/0 connectors, bunt I think I will use a copper crimp connector instead.

 

[JHylton]

I believe, with a little effort, I can get the old lead terminal off the existing cable, and re-use it. It is in good shape, and I wouldn't be doing this exercise at all if the terminal itself wasn't cracked on the outer edge.....along where the hold down bolt passes thru.

 

[seafish]

I believe, with a little effort, I can get the old lead terminal off the existing cable, and re-use it. It is in good shape, and I wouldn't be doing this exercise at all if the terminal itself wasn't cracked on the outer edge.....along where the hold down bolt passes thru.

FYI--MANY people have reported corrosion UNDERNEATH the insulation on the crossover cable…it is visible only when you expose the wire a few inches BACK from the terminal. When you are replacing the terminal anyway would be the perfect time to cut back the insulation a few inches and look closely for corrosion…if it is there, you can choose to replace the wire…if it is not there, then simply use marine grade, dual wall shrinkwrap to recover the few inches of wire that you have exposed and then insatll your new lug.
A corroding crossover cable increases voltage resistance and will eventually lead to over charging of the passenger side battery and THAT will eventually end with a BANG!! More then a few threads about this, though of course does not happen to everyone!!

 

[JHylton]

No worries about a crossover cable as I only have a single battery in the First Gen truck, however, I will take a close look at the main positive cable itself...for hidden corrosion.

 

[inlinesix3million]

While many people choose to use welding cable, it IS true that generally they are not oil resistant rated.

I will use either the cable for McMaster Carr which IS oil rated, or perhaps even this stuff…it is from a high end aftermarket car stereo accessory manufacturer…in fact, the same one that makes the battery terminals that Genos is selling. The 4/0 wire is NOT that much more then the 2/0 that McMaster sells, and furthermore it IS tinned OFC copper, ULTRA fine strand and ULTRA flexible, oil rated.

http://www.knukonceptz.com/mobile-a...kolossus-fleks-red-40-gauge-powerground-wire/

http://www.knukonceptz.com/mobile-a...lossus-fleks-black-40-gauge-powerground-wire/

It is NICE wire!!!



They even do sell 4/0 connectors, bunt I think I will use a copper crimp connector instead.

DUDE !
Nice find... am looking to re-upgrade my grounds at least. Am seeing some corrosion in the ends. I would also like to upgrade my connectors.
Question-- What crimper are you using? Thanks

 

[Smokin' Larry]

Here's a company that makes cables and you can get those mil.-spec. battery terminals for even less than McMaster Carr. He's also got the ring terminals and large shrink sleeve. You can build your own or have them do it and ship it out. Just another source. http://www.custombatterycables.com/application/dodge_ram.htm

 

[inlinesix3million]

Here's a company that makes cables and you can get those mil.-spec. battery terminals for even less than McMaster Carr. He's also got the ring terminals and large shrink sleeve. You can build your own or have them do it and ship it out. Just another source. http://www.custombatterycables.com/application/dodge_ram.htm

Thanks for that! Looks like they offer a great product that is better than stock. And, they use a better crimper than I will ever own. This will be a great resource to upgrade any defective stock

cableing needs that I encounter. These should be a one and done upgrade.

I will probably order a 50 ft roll of the Knukonceptz 1/0 gauge wire to upgrade/ redo the rest of my system. I will still be looking for quality connectors and a very decent set of crimpers to

finish it up. ( not $ 4000 tho ) Also will have to research techniques to minimize future corrosion. For example- I usually leave the truck in storage for 6-8 weeks and drive it for 7- 10 days.

I have expensive AGM batteries on both sides and disconnect the neg on each side during storage. I am seeing a bit of corrosion at the ends ( in the strands ) of the add on cable for my

stereo system. ( 1/0 cable with shiny metal connectors and crimps not looking very symmetrical. ) I am looking to install quick disconnects and upgrade the battery terminals to a set from

JL Audio. I will likely make the rest of the connectors copper and use a shrink wrap ? Spray the finished and installed connections with that reddish coating. ( not sure of the name )

 

[jdross440]

Are these people still in business? I have tried emailing and calling with no replies.

 

[Smokin' Larry]

Are these people still in business? I have tried emailing and calling with no replies.

I ordered from them about a year ago and got what I needed. As of now I really don't know.