Custom battery cables
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Joined: Nov 2010
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From: N. IL
Custom battery cables
Anyone have experience upgrading their cables? I saw this and wondered if it would make any difference to battery longevity.
Heavy Duty, Aftermarket, Custom Battery Cables for your Car, Truck or RV
Heavy Duty, Aftermarket, Custom Battery Cables for your Car, Truck or RV
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 609
Likes: 3
From: Central Va
Anyone have experience upgrading their cables? I saw this and wondered if it would make any difference to battery longevity.
Heavy Duty, Aftermarket, Custom Battery Cables for your Car, Truck or RV
Heavy Duty, Aftermarket, Custom Battery Cables for your Car, Truck or RV
That being said, I upgraded all my major power wires. Adding in a 3500w power inverter and a 260amp alternator was my reason behind that however, not the factory wiring being too small.
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,360
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From: Charles Town, WV
I upgraded all my battery cables on my F250 myself from Advance Auto. I bought bulk cable for the main positive leads and ran individual cables to the starter, Measure all the grounds and bought those packaged. Keep in mind you'll have to put the ends on the bulk cable, I used solder, but it's worth it. Alot cheaper with higher quality cables. I was having cold starting issues and this helped quite a bit, even though the cables looked ok on the surface.
I plan on doing this to the Excursion in the spring.
I plan on doing this to the Excursion in the spring.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 15,014
Likes: 35
From: Semper Fi tell I die!
I upgraded all my battery cables on my F250 myself from Advance Auto. I bought bulk cable for the main positive leads and ran individual cables to the starter, Measure all the grounds and bought those packaged. Keep in mind you'll have to put the ends on the bulk cable, I used solder, but it's worth it. Alot cheaper with higher quality cables. I was having cold starting issues and this helped quite a bit, even though the cables looked ok on the surface.
I plan on doing this to the Excursion in the spring.
I plan on doing this to the Excursion in the spring.
how do you solder such big cables? torch? can you show us your method youve been successfull with? what gauge wires they sell at advance your buying? they also have the connectors? i hear lots of guys going with military connectors around here.
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 609
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From: Central Va
A small torch works well, one of the small propane ones will do the trick. If you have a local welding shop, check them out for cables and connectors, a lot cheaper than you will get"name brand" ones. Solder or crimp them, up where you are I would either smother in liquid electrical tape or some dialetric grease of some sort to prevent corrosion.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 15,014
Likes: 35
From: Semper Fi tell I die!
A small torch works well, one of the small propane ones will do the trick. If you have a local welding shop, check them out for cables and connectors, a lot cheaper than you will get"name brand" ones. Solder or crimp them, up where you are I would either smother in liquid electrical tape or some dialetric grease of some sort to prevent corrosion.
all ive ever done is hammer crimp them when i worked as a rv tech, then spray them with the protectant.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Charles Town, WV
I used 2 GA. wire in bulk, sorry I can't remember any lengths, just measure all your cables first and don't forget the block to ground cables. For the lower terminals I used 2 GA. 3/8" copper lugs. For the upper terminals I used the heay duty marine style terminals. These have the wing nut on top and are great for adding additinal accessory wires down the road. I just used pre packed ground cables in the right length, saved some coin that way.
I used one of those Bernz o matic torches to heat up the cable and lug. Be sure to peel back the clear sheath of the cable enough because it will melt a bit, this gets hot. For a clean look, first slide some heat shrink tubing down the cable first, FAR away from the hot end
. Like I said, this gets hot. Also make sure you clean the copper very well and use lots of flux. I wish I had pics but I'll do write up with my next set. Here's a pic of the big cable and lugs.
I used one of those Bernz o matic torches to heat up the cable and lug. Be sure to peel back the clear sheath of the cable enough because it will melt a bit, this gets hot. For a clean look, first slide some heat shrink tubing down the cable first, FAR away from the hot end
. Like I said, this gets hot. Also make sure you clean the copper very well and use lots of flux. I wish I had pics but I'll do write up with my next set. Here's a pic of the big cable and lugs.
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Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 15,014
Likes: 35
From: Semper Fi tell I die!
that clear cable is nice! we use stuff around here thats blue and called artic flex, stays really flexable to -60f
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 511
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From: Fort Worth, TX
I'm having cold start issues as well since it has dropped to near single digits. A few of my battery cables are corroded and need some replacing. I'll be looking into some 0/2 ga wire for it to eliminate any possible problems the cables may cause. Anyone know how much of each wire I will need (positive and negative)?
Thanks
Thanks
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