I am currently in the process of relocating a battery in one of my cars and can't decide what gauge I should use. Any tips are appreciated.
I am currently in the process of relocating a battery in one of my cars and can't decide what gauge I should use. Any tips are appreciated.
It depends on the amperage your starter drawn and the length of the run. Think of the cable as a garden hose. The longer and the thinner the less comes out the end. As a quick fix you could go up a size every time you double the run length, or to do it right there are some wire sizing charts on line if you poke around.
In reply to bearmtnmartin (Forum Supporter) :
Sounds good, it's in a 2010 Ford Focus and I'm placing it where the rear seats use to be. It is currently running 4ga on the ground side but I'm trying to decide if I should just stick with that or bump it to 2ga. I don't want hot wires but I also don't want too much resistance. Also any recommendations on where to pick up wire?
See if you can find a used set of battery cables from a junkyard BMW with a trunk mounted battery from the factory.
Woody (Forum Supportum) said:See if you can find a used set of battery cables from a junkyard BMW with a trunk mounted battery from the factory.
This. I've pulled a few sets out and paid $5-$15 for a factory rear-mount kit with a nice distro block that goes under the hood.
I've heard some Mercedes Benzedrine have them too.
4 gauge should be plenty.
In reply to jfryjfry :
C class Mercedes has a good one that ends at a terminal under the pedal cluster.
I have wired up a few dirt track cars with good quality jumper cables. At the time they were cheaper than the cable itself. Garage sales are a good place to find good cables with a damaged clamp. Most people just buy a new set instead of replacing the clamps. Just a thought if on a small budget.
We run 2 gauge on our champ car elantra with the battery in the trunk.
My kit from racewire solutions came with 2ga.
I only suggest hydraulically crimping the lugs on. 1000% better than hammer crimping or anything else you can do.
I tend to use 0g and run a dedicated ground if it's a unibody car. Agreed on making sure you have good crimps, and flux in the joint helps quite a bit as well.
jfryjfry said:Woody (Forum Supportum) said:See if you can find a used set of battery cables from a junkyard BMW with a trunk mounted battery from the factory.
This. I've pulled a few sets out and paid $5-$15 for a factory rear-mount kit with a nice distro block that goes under the hood.
I've heard some Mercedes Benzedrine have them too.
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