What size battery cables? The bigger, the better?

[Ghost001]

Hello,

I've been searching for this info, and can't seem to find it.

Is bigger always better, with regard to battery cables?

The stock battery cables look like 4 gauge.

Would 2 gauge be better?

Would 1 gauge be even better?

Also, the shorter the cable, the better, right?

The same question for the big starter cable, to my new CSR Platinum starter (yes, I know about the big cable and the small 10-gauge cable for a mini starter).

 

[Roland69]

I just asked my Girl Friend....She said bigger is better

 

[HISSIN50]

You are correct - overkill with cables is fine. I do the same (I have 2 AWG ready to install).

 

[Ghost001]

You are correct - overkill with cables is fine. I do the same (I have 2 AWG ready to install).

Thanks!

I've always suspected that there is no safety issue nor performance issue with a cable that's too thick, just a waste-of-money issue.

 

[Shakerhood]

I remember seeing some upgraded battery wires that came on Police Mustangs for sale for a reasonable price.

 

[TENGRAM]

Replace existent battery cables with high quality replacements, an upgrade to 0W or 2/0 gauge is recommended, and the use of fine stranded cables ensures great conductivity

found this here http://www.my5oh.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=95

 

[Ghost001]

Thanks, TENGRAM! That's good info.

 

[crazypete]

I've run both 4 and 6 guage all the way to the trunk and never had charging issues.

Bigger is better but not necessary and bigger is heavier and harder to conceal.

 

[Adverse2Change]

The price of copper has skyrocketed in the past few months, so at least in the construction industry cost is a huge issue. It'll take almost well over 100' of cable run to even make a difference in voltage drop at that voltage, amperage, and wire size.

 

[rd]

For engine bay mounted batteries, a 4, 2 or 1 gage cable seems to be best in my experience. I'd use it for the batter and the cable to the starter.

Walmart and the parts places seem to have 2 gage cables readily available.

Probably the most important thing is having good, clean connections.

For trunk mount I'd stay with 1 or larger.

 

[Ghost001]

Thanks, guys!

I guess I'll go with 1 gauge (or 2 gauge, if 1 gauge is not readily available) for the battery cables and big starter cable.

 

[blue302stang]

i have my battery trunk mounted right now and am running 2 gauge and am not having a single problem. As stated above, make sure you have all the grounds

 

[89Notch]

0 gauge baby

 

[HISSIN50]

0 gauge baby

You have a rear mounted battery?

 

[89Notch]

yup

~2.78/foot for 1/0 welding cable

 

[HISSIN50]

yup

~2.78/foot for 1/0 welding cable

Sounds good. I'm all for overkill with wiring (to an extent - it allows for some degradation before performance is affected badly) but I was thinking that was some real hog cable for a front-mounted battery.

Definately the way to go for a rear battery set-up (anything less would worry me, drop-wise).

 

[89Notch]

I use 2GA for the alternator to kill switch then 0 gauge for the battery to chassis and battery->kill-> selenoid, 2 ga from selenoid to starter and two 2 gauge from engine to frame rail. The 1/0 is pretty big but I like it