What size battery cables? The bigger, the better?

Ghost001 · Jun 22, 2006

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 · Jun 22, 2006

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

HISSIN50 · Jun 23, 2006

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

Ghost001 · Jun 23, 2006

HISSIN50 said:
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 · Jun 23, 2006

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

TENGRAM · Jun 23, 2006

Joel5.0 said:
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 · Jun 23, 2006

Thanks, TENGRAM! That's good info.

crazypete · Jun 23, 2006

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 · Jun 23, 2006

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 · Jun 23, 2006

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 · Jun 23, 2006

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 · Jun 23, 2006

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 · Jun 23, 2006

0 gauge baby

HISSIN50 · Jun 23, 2006

89Notch said:
0 gauge baby

You have a rear mounted battery?

89Notch · Jun 23, 2006

yup

~2.78/foot for 1/0 welding cable

HISSIN50 · Jun 23, 2006

89Notch said:
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 · Jun 23, 2006

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

What size battery cables? The bigger, the better?

Ghost001

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Roland69

Sergeant Tangnet

HISSIN50

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Ghost001

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Shakerhood

TENGRAM

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Ghost001

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crazypete

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rd

Ghost001

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89Notch

HISSIN50

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