Battery Cable Question
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: St. Louis USA
Battery Cable Question
OK, for a 1950 F3, 6v, what would be the proper gauge for the battery and starter cables? The only aftermarket part here would be a 6v alternator, but I don't think that matters (just mentioning it).
Reason I'm asking, today I tried replacing the existing cables (1ga) with some I mail-ordered (4ga) and couldn't get the motor to do anything, no lights, basically acted like the battery was completely dead. Put the old cables back on and hey, it starts up now, just like before. This cuz the cables' too small, or a bad hookup? Multimeter confirmed the batter has power and it was getting at least as far as the starter solinoid...
Reason I'm asking, today I tried replacing the existing cables (1ga) with some I mail-ordered (4ga) and couldn't get the motor to do anything, no lights, basically acted like the battery was completely dead. Put the old cables back on and hey, it starts up now, just like before. This cuz the cables' too small, or a bad hookup? Multimeter confirmed the batter has power and it was getting at least as far as the starter solinoid...
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Santa Clarita
Never heard that before? I know a friend of mine has 2 ga cables and it works fine. Sometimes you may have to check the ground to see if the ground is clean and has a good contact. I had a problem similar to that. The positive cable kept getting very hot when I started it. I found out that the end of the cable that connects to the battery was loose (the two screw that tighten down on the cable). Then again, you may have gotten bad cables. The rule of thumb, the bigger the cable, the better! Most guys are running 0 ga especially with big stereo systems and amps.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
You definitely need the larger cables for 6V applications. I can't guess as to why you got no power with the new cables unless you didn't have a good connection somewhere. The smaller gauge cables would heat up more than the larger ones when the current went through, but they should have worked. 
Vern
Vern
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From: Minneapolis
As large in diameter and as short in length as possible. 0 or 00 gauge would be good. It is good you did not get a good connection with the 4 gage wire, you may have melted the insulation off of it.
Power = Current X Voltage, so to get equal power, a 6 Volt system draws twice the current (Amps) of a 12 Volt System. Keep the cables short to lessen power loss due to resistance (Current^2 X Resistance).
Power = Current X Voltage, so to get equal power, a 6 Volt system draws twice the current (Amps) of a 12 Volt System. Keep the cables short to lessen power loss due to resistance (Current^2 X Resistance).
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Santa Clarita
Unless your really set on having the 6 volt system, I'd consider changing over to a 12 volt system. it's not that hard to do. 12 volt systems will give you more options. 6 volt is kinda of dying breed.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
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From: Valley Center, CA
6 volts means that the starter is going to pull high amps from the battery. Thin wires are not able to do accomplish this. Stay with 6 volts, just get yourself the big cables. They are readily available at NAPA or even Kragen. John
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From: St. Louis USA
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Fleet Owner
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From: Central PA
Jeff,
by all means follow Jag Red's advice and do not switch to 12 volt (unless you are changing the Big Tank and add a lot of modern crature comforts). It is my belief that it is easier to keep it 6 volt than to convert to 12. BUTT!!!!... you need 00 gauge cables, and new cables, not corroded or frayed. And change all cables, from Battery to starter, from battery to ground, from starter to selinoid (sic), etc. I got mine from a local generator shop and he custom made them to correct length.
abe '54 F-100 with a starter that spins like crazy!
by all means follow Jag Red's advice and do not switch to 12 volt (unless you are changing the Big Tank and add a lot of modern crature comforts). It is my belief that it is easier to keep it 6 volt than to convert to 12. BUTT!!!!... you need 00 gauge cables, and new cables, not corroded or frayed. And change all cables, from Battery to starter, from battery to ground, from starter to selinoid (sic), etc. I got mine from a local generator shop and he custom made them to correct length.
abe '54 F-100 with a starter that spins like crazy!
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