Notices
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Fat Fendered and Classic Ford Trucks

Battery Cable help!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 22, 2020 | 09:44 PM
  #31  
Mixer man's Avatar
Mixer man
Logistics Pro
10 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,920
Likes: 21
From: Bothell & Silverdale, WA
Originally Posted by AZAV8
I would suggest getting actual battery cables. Underhood temperatures can get quite high (240 F) and welding cables are not insulated with material to withstand underhood temperatures.
Do not "make do" with some other cable, use an actual battery cable engineered to do the job. RFW has other kits of different lengths and battery terminal types to meet your need.
Summit Racing is a dealer for Ron Francis so you may get a better price.
Well, Ron Francis is not the end-all place for wiring or advice. Yes, they do have a few unique products, but their prices can't be justified. I'm really curious as to what situation you would have to see 240° temps under your hood.
And fwiw, real welding cable is MSHA certified heat and flame resistant.

Originally Posted by fordf348
Why does one need flexible cable for your battery cable? Welding cable is constantly dragged around and location changed repeatedly. Battery cables are in the same place all the time, maybe moved a bit to clean the terminals or disconnect from the battery but for the most part they stay in one spot.
With flexibility comes the resistance to vibration, not to mention the ease of installation.

Welding cable has half again as much current carrying capacity of the same size AWG battery cable.

Disclaimer: I am not associated in any way with any welding cable supplier or dealer.
 
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2020 | 11:06 AM
  #32  
AZAV8's Avatar
AZAV8
More Turbo
15 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 615
Likes: 6
From: Tucson, AZ
O. K. I did some more research and found these two articles by wire and cable suppliers. The both say that the right gauge welding cable is acceptable if you need the flexibility.

https://blog.delcity.net/whats-the-d...lding-cable-2/

https://www.awcwire.com/blog/welding...oduct-knockout

In the past I had always heard that using welding cable was a bad idea. I stand corrected. Just understand that welding and battery cables are constructed differently with different insulation.

As a side note, I do not have any affiliation with Ron Francis Wiring. I have used their products and they have long time experience in the auto wiring field.
 
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2020 | 08:29 AM
  #33  
ReForder's Avatar
ReForder
Fleet Mechanic
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 185
From: Dedham, MA
I ordered 2/0 gauge battery cables in custom lengths and connectors for my truck from https://www.batterycablesusa.com/

Great prices, quick shipping, made in 'MURICA!!
 
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2020 | 08:21 PM
  #34  
Bessie's Avatar
Bessie
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 716
Likes: 78
From: Salem
This is the route I went. 2/0 AWG stranded solid copper wire from BatteryCablesUSA.

Recall my truck is still positive ground, 6 volt. These cables run from battery to solenoid, then from solenoid to starter.



 
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2020 | 08:42 PM
  #35  
abe's Avatar
abe
Fleet Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,405
Likes: 5,415
From: Central PA
Club FTE Silver Member

They look like they'll do the job! It didn't take long to get them to you.

And I see you had a frosty beverage to assist you!
 
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2020 | 09:59 PM
  #36  
Mixer man's Avatar
Mixer man
Logistics Pro
10 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,920
Likes: 21
From: Bothell & Silverdale, WA
Originally Posted by Bessie
This is the route I went. 2/0 AWG solid copper wire from BatteryCablesUSA.
Solid copper? Must have been real fun installing those. Stranded copper would have been much better and lots easier to work with.
 
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2020 | 11:46 PM
  #37  
Bessie's Avatar
Bessie
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 716
Likes: 78
From: Salem
Originally Posted by Mixer man
Solid copper? Must have been real fun installing those. Stranded copper would have been much better and lots easier to work with.
They are stranded copper as opposed to copper cladded aluminum.
 
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2020 | 01:01 PM
  #38  
Mixer man's Avatar
Mixer man
Logistics Pro
10 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,920
Likes: 21
From: Bothell & Silverdale, WA
Originally Posted by Bessie
They are stranded copper as opposed to copper coated aluminum.
Ok, got it. Pure copper. Who in their right mind would buy CCA battery cables? Are they even sold?
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Nov 26, 2020 | 02:57 PM
  #39  
52Flthed's Avatar
52Flthed
Fleet Mechanic
5 Year Member
Shutterbug
Liked
Loved
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 418
From: Monmouth County, NJ
Originally Posted by Mixer man
Ok, got it. Pure copper. Who in their right mind would buy CCA battery cables? Are they even sold?

Cold Cranking Amp, CCA ? Who said they bought CCA Battery cables? And what are CCA Battery cables? I though CCA was a battery rating? Can you explain please? Thanks.
 
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2020 | 03:03 PM
  #40  
Mixer man's Avatar
Mixer man
Logistics Pro
10 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,920
Likes: 21
From: Bothell & Silverdale, WA
Originally Posted by 52Flthed
Cold Cranking Amp, CCA ? Who said they bought CCA Battery cables? And what are CCA Battery cables? I though CCA was a battery rating? Can you explain please? Thanks.
CCA = Copper Clad Aluminum.
 
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2020 | 03:06 PM
  #41  
52Flthed's Avatar
52Flthed
Fleet Mechanic
5 Year Member
Shutterbug
Liked
Loved
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 418
From: Monmouth County, NJ
Originally Posted by Mixer man
CCA = Copper Clad Aluminum.

Ah ok! Why does Aluminum have a bad reputation in electrical? Is it not stable? I take it you don't like the CCA cables as opposed to 100% stranded copper.
 
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2020 | 03:07 PM
  #42  
bmoran4's Avatar
bmoran4
Parts Nerd Extraordinaire
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,381
Likes: 1,790
From: Western NY
Club FTE Gold Member
CCA in that instance does not refer to Cold Cranking Amps, but Copper-Clad Aluminum/Copper Coated Aluminum wire... CCA Wire is less expensive than solid/straight copper at the detriment of just about any other positive electrical property. CCA is often unscrupulously marketed as having a copper conductor to intentionally mislead those who think they are getting traditional copper wire.
 
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2020 | 04:45 PM
  #43  
Mixer man's Avatar
Mixer man
Logistics Pro
10 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,920
Likes: 21
From: Bothell & Silverdale, WA
Originally Posted by 52Flthed
Ah ok! Why does Aluminum have a bad reputation in electrical? Is it not stable? I take it you don't like the CCA cables as opposed to 100% stranded copper.
Aluminum is ok for house drop cables and some feeder applications (per the NEC) where it is not exposed to vibration and cold working embrittlement.

Dissimilar metals, with the copper being the most noble on the galvanic scale. Expect high corrosion and failure in the wrong environment.

Aluminum conductors need to be half again the AWG size of copper conductors to carry the same load.

Note that many new vehicles are now using cca conductors for cost and weight considerations. Way cheaper than pure copper. Expect recalls.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
61 uni
2009 - 2014 F150
7
Jan 29, 2019 03:19 AM
WALFORD'S 56
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
13
Jul 22, 2010 11:20 AM
Pest007
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
3
Sep 8, 2009 10:57 AM
stupidjet
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
11
Feb 4, 2005 06:32 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:46 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE