What gauge are battery cables?
 

See, now I am planning on doing this. SEE WHAT YOU GUYS CAUSE? :lol:

Mine is a 1972 250 6 cylinder, no AC.

What gauge cable should I buy for both ground and positive?

Re: What gauge are battery cables?
 

4 gauge is the norm for cables..

Re: What gauge are battery cables?
 

OK, thanks. Would a welding supply store carry that you think?

Re: What gauge are battery cables?
 

welding cable has many strands compared to battery cable. I don't think it would be good for battery cables. maybe Home Depot or Lowes would carry it if an auto parts store doesn't...

Re: What gauge are battery cables?
 

Really? My original battery cables (truck) has many small threads also.

What about this stuff?

https://www.amazon.com/Welding-Batte...y%2Bcable&th=1

Re: What gauge are battery cables?
 

I've made battery cables from welding cables. Works great.

More strands = more current it can carry.

Re: What gauge are battery cables?
 

I use 2 gauge, just for overkill. Works great.

Re: What gauge are battery cables?
 

not to hi-jack your post BUT i just went thru replacing the cables on my car hauler truck & went to harbor freight & bought one of there HYDRAULIC BATTERY & REGUL;AR WIRE CABLE CRIMPERS ! works great & is really neat -with there discount coupon -i believe it was 38.00 or 42.00 dollars ?? nothing else buy it & use it & return it -saying yours didnt work right ???

Re: What gauge are battery cables?
 

It varies by engine.

4 gauge for big blocks. 6 gauge for others.

Re: What gauge are battery cables?
 

welding cables work great

the more the strands of copper in the cable the better its conductivity as the power flows through the surface of each cable strand so more strands... more power flow

plus welding cables, also because of the higher and more strand count are more flexible which is good for high vibration areas.

thicker cables are better for low temperture envirionments

make sure you have an equally good ground and many of them if you have alot of electronics on board

Re: What gauge are battery cables?
 

And if were me, I would go 1/0 or 2/0

4 gauge is only good for 150 amps? Correct?

Re: What gauge are battery cables?
 

I like specialty tools so I may buy it anyway. I don't think it's morally right to lie about much of anything.

Lots of good advice here. Overkill is always good. :)

Re: What gauge are battery cables?
 

[QUOTE=In The Ten Ring;8051407] I don't think it's morally right to lie about much of anything.


That's sound advice right there.

Re: What gauge are battery cables?
 

[quote=B. W.;8051540]Texas Firefighter (forum member here) is who I need to credit. Although not a direct quote he was adamant that I not buy an oil filter wrench and return it after one use. I thought it over and realized how right he was on that.

Re: What gauge are battery cables?
 

lots of articles out there on the subject and lots of different opinions..

logic I tend to follow closest is what the OE installed for the application..

standard gauge automotive cable properly terminated with tight connections is generally trouble free..

heavy gauge is not necessary unless you're cranking a high compression large displacement engine that needs the added current flow..

wire gauge for starters is sized for intermittent load, extensive cranking will usually damage the starter motor as well as the cables..

that's why it's recommended to let everything cool off during extensive cranking events such as repairs, maintenance, etc..

welding cable is expensive, fragile, and heavy compared to automotive cable..

the added weight hanging off of terminals and routing challenges need to be considered also..

hex crimpers are a great tool, be sure to size your cable, lugs, and dies correctly for firm connections..

you could also consider soldering for more corrosion resistant connections.. drill a small hole in the top of the lug, heat, and fill..

good luck on your project!

Re: What gauge are battery cables?
 

Thanks man.

I called Advanced Auto the other day and they quoted me $1.75 per foot of battery cable I believe. They only had black in color but that's what both cables are on my truck anyway. I want to check with NAPA tomorrow and see what they have, I'd like to have a red colored one for the positive.

If I have to go with black cable for both I could wrap some red tape around the positive cable's end.

I plan to jack up the front and remove the passenger front wheel, giving me easy access to the starter motor.

Re: What gauge are battery cables?
 

Overkill isn't always good. A heavier than necessary cable hanging off of a mount threaded into soft lead that gets hot is a bad thing. You go buy the correct cables, same as it came with, they will cost you less than a crimp tool and last as long as you have your truck. I don't allow corrosion to build up on my trucks. All that takes is a light coat of grease on the battery posts or surface of the side-mount. There are still trucks out there with original cables.

Re: What gauge are battery cables?
 

That's a good perspective. What it came with worked every single day for 20 years and worked fine again after a 10 year rest.

6 gauge you say? I'll go check today and see what NAPA has on hand.

Re: What gauge are battery cables?
 

Hey ITTR,

Check out this place. They will custom make any type or gauge cable you want...with lots of different cable ends. I had a custom one made for my 1949 Jeep with a diesel engine and the quality is second to none. Beautiful stuff...much nicer than you can find in a normal parts store.
A bit pricey but they will last a LONG time.

http://www.custombatterycables.com/