• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Electrical Positive Battery Cable Larger Than Negative.. Bad?

  • Thread starter Thread starter DuderMcMerican
  • Start date Start date Mar 20, 2016
  • Tags Tags
    battery cables
D

DuderMcMerican

Active Member
Mar 7, 2016
148
9
28
Woodbridge, VA
Mar 20, 2016
#1
  • Mar 20, 2016
  • #1
Howdy,

My positive battery cable is 2awg and my negative is 4. Is that a problematic combo? I searched the online and I found some duders with the opposite (neg larger than pos) & consensus was that that's okay, but I couldn't find info re my question. Thanks!
 

mikestang63

SN Certified Technician
Aug 27, 2012
11,606
8,859
214
In the garage
Mar 20, 2016
#2
  • Mar 20, 2016
  • #2
4g is sufficient for the length you need unless the battery is relocated. Then you want at least 1 or 0. You should be fine..
 

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL
In Remembrance. Thank you for your contributions
Mar 10, 2000
27,512
2,813
234
Dublin GA
Mar 20, 2016
#3
  • Mar 20, 2016
  • #3
@mikestang63 is right on target. Unless your car has some magical way to make the accessory loads generate electricity, there is the same amount of current flowing in the negative cable as the positive cable.

Have any doubts?

In a series circuit, the current through each of the components is the same, and the voltage across the circuit is the sum of the voltages across each component. In a parallel circuit, the voltage across each of the components is the same, and the total current is the sum of the currents through each component.

Series and parallel circuits - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Series_and_parallel_circuits
 
D

DuderMcMerican

Active Member
Mar 7, 2016
148
9
28
Woodbridge, VA
Mar 20, 2016
#4
  • Mar 20, 2016
  • #4
Ahh, okay. I was concerned that a thinner neg cable (relative to pos) might increase resistance in circuit, but your explanations make sense. I'll not worry about it. Thanks!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

A
Electrical '89 GT Fast Drain of Battery - Battery Won't Charge When Connected
  • aroorda
  • May 15, 2022
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
11
Views
2K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jun 3, 2022
Mustang5L5
Place to Avoid: Jamison Auto Group in Gulfport, MS
  • D Durden
  • Oct 20, 2025
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • 2 3
Replies
45
Views
2K
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Feb 4, 2026
nickyb
T
Fuse box positive & negative cables?
  • Tiffanyg50235
  • Dec 1, 2021
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
3
Views
4K
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Dec 3, 2021
Mustang5L5
Which one of these 3 intakes make the most sense for my 331 combo
  • from6to8
  • Jul 25, 2024
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech
Replies
7
Views
2K
1994 - 1995 Specific Tech Jul 26, 2024
AeroCoupe
SN Mustang Magnum T56 swap
  • revhead347
  • May 24, 2024
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech
Replies
15
Views
6K
1994 - 1995 Specific Tech Jun 28, 2026
GearHeadGuy
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?