making my own battery cables - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

fastwillie 696969 · 06-04-2005, 12:33 PM

what size gauge should i use for the pos + and neg - cables and for the alt. wire ?

383 Stroker · 06-04-2005, 12:42 PM

I used 2/0 gauge welding lead for my battery cables and 8 gauge for the alternator wire. It works good for me. I have a 120 amp alternator.

krue · 06-04-2005, 01:30 PM

Makes good jumper cables if you use parrot clamps at the end.

**kwmech** · 06-04-2005, 11:11 PM

Damn----2/0 for the cables, pretty beefy. I use 2 guage, has been plenty for my trucks and a little easier to work with. Definately 8 ga. on anything close to 100a alt.

Zeke · 06-05-2005, 09:46 AM

2/0 is a good size for battery cables, actual wire size is about 0.36" or just under 3/8".
2 gage is about 1/4" and should work for most trucks. What you have to look at is what you are running, high compression, hard turning engine you want as much juice as you can get to the starter.
Agree 8 gage good size for alternator should most anything you put on your truck.
It is not what your alternator puts out but how amps your electrical system draws that determines wire size. Hence dead shorts melt wire = large amp draw.

**kwmech** · 06-05-2005, 11:25 AM

A 2 guage cable is closer to 3/8 wire diameter. Works good on my tow trucks for everything

06-04-2005, 12:33 PM	#1
fastwillie 696969 ~Rest In Peace~ Join Date: May 2005 Location: CALIFORNIA NOR CAL Posts: 9,707	making my own battery cables what size gauge should i use for the pos + and neg - cables and for the alt. wire ? __________________ is it fast ? it has a lighting bolt donut? B___H please, I can remove 90% of your so called "beauty" with a kleenex

06-04-2005, 12:42 PM	#2
383 Stroker Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Jesup, GA Posts: 571	I used 2/0 gauge welding lead for my battery cables and 8 gauge for the alternator wire. It works good for me. I have a 120 amp alternator. __________________ Video's of my Truck Racing 1967 C-10, 383ci Sbc, TH350, 3200 stall, 3.73 gear Last edited by 383 Stroker; 06-04-2005 at 12:59 PM.

06-04-2005, 01:30 PM	#3
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	Makes good jumper cables if you use parrot clamps at the end. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

06-05-2005, 09:46 AM	#5
Zeke Active Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: L.A. Lower Alabama Posts: 453	2/0 is a good size for battery cables, actual wire size is about 0.36" or just under 3/8". 2 gage is about 1/4" and should work for most trucks. What you have to look at is what you are running, high compression, hard turning engine you want as much juice as you can get to the starter. Agree 8 gage good size for alternator should most anything you put on your truck. It is not what your alternator puts out but how amps your electrical system draws that determines wire size. Hence dead shorts melt wire = large amp draw. __________________ 1969 C10 350 3spd 1995 GMC 3500 XC 350 dually When Thomas Edison worked late into the night on the electric light, he had to do it by gas lamp or candle. I'm sure it made the work seem that much more urgent. George Carlin

06-04-2005, 11:11 PM	#4
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,724	Damn----2/0 for the cables, pretty beefy. I use 2 guage, has been plenty for my trucks and a little easier to work with. Definately 8 ga. on anything close to 100a alt.

06-05-2005, 11:25 AM	#6
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,724	A 2 guage cable is closer to 3/8 wire diameter. Works good on my tow trucks for everything



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