What Size Battery Cable?

[Jeff H]

I want to know what size battery cable is on a 95?

Anybody running larger stuff than stock?

Some of my cables are turning green. So I wanna get it done before winter. Now that I have Optimas Don't have to worry about all that corrosion.

 

[willyslover]

I just bought a Odyssey 2150 [to replace both and have 1 only] and am using #2 welding cable

 

[Thomas]

Model year 2000 uses 2/0 from the driver's-side battery to the starter motor and 1/0 for all other heavy-duty battery cables. Since it sounds as though you plan to make up your own cables, I suggest you consider ring lugs & military terminals as show in this thread. They make connecting, disconnecting, and adding wires/cables to the battery easy. Additionally, once installed, they leave the actual connection to the battery lug undisturbed.

 

[crabman]

Use Marine Grade Cables

Jeff H. ,

If you use marine grade wire you will NEVER have to replace them again. Marine wire is tinned its entire length and therefore does not/can not corrode. Sure, it costs, but you only have to do it once.

Try your local marine store or

HERE

crabman

 

[Jeff H]

Where to get em?

 

[crabman]

Jeff,

You have to buy the components and make them yourself. Click on the HERE in my earlier post. It should take you to Hamiton Marine (www.hamiltonmarine.com). Is there a marine story near where you live? They should have all the things you will need.

crabman

 

[Jeff H]

Looking for the military connectors.

Marine stuff too spendy. Thanks

 

[Thomas]

Wrangler Northwest Power Products, Inc.

 

[Jeff H]

Under what group did they have them listed under? I not able to find them.

Do ya know the technical name for these? Maybe do a search on em?

 

[Thomas]

Once you make it to their website look at pages 21 & 34 of their catalog.

 

[SMorneau]

Jeff if I'm reading my manuals correctly the battery cables are '0' (one ought) and '00' (two ought) with the heavier '00' servicing the starter and all grounds and the + jumper from battery to battery are '0'. I see no advantage to going larger.



The marine wire would be a good idea since the green corrosion is not always due to the battery acids, although acids and salts accelerate it. If you make a set you should do it with military type lug connectors. Soldering is good but a mechanical crimp will not let go if the cable overheats (not likely if you maintain things). Solder and mechanical is really good. Seal the ends up good. Better grounds to the body would also be a good idea.



One more thing, take measurements for me because I have been putting off making a set.

 

[MKinner]

check out this site



www.quickcable.com



they have some good battery supplies. .

 

[Jeff H]

Hey Scott

Yep gonna make the cables. We have a heavy duty crimper at the school. Its pretty much mandatory to seal or shrink wrap the connectors and cables. Teacher gaurenty's it will last a life time if done right.

Part of a class assighnment was to measure voltage drop. Did a insulated voltage drop test. From the positive battery post to the starter I've got about a 1. 5 voltage drop. Any thing over . 5 volt drop on the positive side needs taking care of. The ground test was pretty bad also.

So I'm gonna replace it all. I did a starter current draw test also. I can't believe 360 amps to spin over the motor. Will have to ask the teacher about that.

I had a set of Exide batteries in this truck. They leaked out acid pretty bad. Ruined more than just cables. Its took out cruise control. Destroyed any thing that was painted under the hood. Felt sorry for John E when he installed my gov springs. That battery mess was every where.

 

[JLEONARD]

I made my own 2 years ago using 00 cable. I went to a local shop that just does batteries and cables. The counter guy hooked me up with all the cable and proper connectors I needed. Then I went home and made them up using my crimper.

Jay

 

[SMorneau]

I went to the optimas because I feared the damage from a ruptured battery. Repairing the damage could get spendy.



360 Amps doesn't sound unreasonable to get the 5. 9 rolling over.



Jeff, Give me a price on a set of replacements.

 

[Jeff H]

Scott

A set of replacements? Are you talking about battery cable?

I was gonna buy cable from the school. They don't have enough cable for me. They only have 2-4/0 cable left. Thats what they are using on the big trucks.

 

[Jeff H]

Just need an opinion on wiring. My instructor at school threw out an other option as for as hooking up the positive side to the starter.

Right now it still stock. The passenger side battery positive runs a cable over to the driver side battery positive. Then from there the cable runs down to the battery.

The instuctor said if it were his truck. He would run a positive cable from each battery to the starter. So I would have two cables hooked up to the starter now. This will require a lot more cable wich is only down fall.

Thanks.

 

[Thomas]

If I changed anything, it would be to increase the size of the positive cable from the passenger side to the driver side - from 1/0 to 2/0. I would leave the cable routing essentially as it is.