What gauge are battery cables? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

In The Ten Ring · 09-29-2017, 02:58 PM

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

Mine is a 1972 250 6 cylinder, no AC.

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

6768chevylover · 09-29-2017, 03:06 PM

4 gauge is the norm for cables..

In The Ten Ring · 09-29-2017, 03:10 PM

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

hamjet · 09-29-2017, 03:17 PM

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...

In The Ten Ring · 09-29-2017, 03:32 PM

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

Bigdav160 · 09-29-2017, 03:43 PM

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

More strands = more current it can carry.

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 09-29-2017, 04:25 PM

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

wahl4m · 09-29-2017, 04:30 PM

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 ???

In The Ten Ring · 10-01-2017, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wahl4m

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 ???

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.

B. W. · 10-01-2017, 11:16 AM

[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.

In The Ten Ring · 10-02-2017, 12:21 AM

[quote=B. W.;8051540]

Quote:

Originally Posted by In The Ten Ring

I don't think it's morally right to lie about much of anything.

That's sound advice right there.

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.

davepl · 09-29-2017, 05:40 PM

It varies by engine.

4 gauge for big blocks. 6 gauge for others.

mike16 · 09-30-2017, 07:44 PM

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

Bigdav160 · 09-30-2017, 07:55 PM

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

4 gauge is only good for 150 amps? Correct?

**special-K** · 10-02-2017, 08:06 AM

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.

In The Ten Ring · 10-02-2017, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

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.

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.

Lemield · 10-03-2017, 05:34 PM

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/

09-29-2017, 02:58 PM	#1
In The Ten Ring Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: West Virginia Posts: 6,421	What gauge are battery cables? See, now I am planning on doing this. SEE WHAT YOU GUYS CAUSE? Mine is a 1972 250 6 cylinder, no AC. What gauge cable should I buy for both ground and positive?

09-29-2017, 03:06 PM	#2
6768chevylover Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: nepa Posts: 745	Re: What gauge are battery cables? 4 gauge is the norm for cables..

09-29-2017, 03:10 PM	#3
In The Ten Ring Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: West Virginia Posts: 6,421	Re: What gauge are battery cables? OK, thanks. Would a welding supply store carry that you think?

09-29-2017, 03:17 PM	#4
hamjet Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: South Westerlo, New York Posts: 1,325	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... __________________ Thanks, Joe.. 1969 C/10, 348 C.I., 3X2 bbl. V8, 2004r , LWB.

09-29-2017, 03:32 PM	#5
In The Ten Ring Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: West Virginia Posts: 6,421	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 Last edited by In The Ten Ring; 09-29-2017 at 03:41 PM.

09-29-2017, 03:43 PM	#6
Bigdav160 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Klein Texas Posts: 3,852	Re: What gauge are battery cables? I've made battery cables from welding cables. Works great. More strands = more current it can carry. __________________ My Classics: '72 K20 Suburban + '65 Dodge Town Wagon '72 Corvette Roadster +'67 Corvette Roadster '73 Z-28 Camaro '63 Ford SWB Uni Pickup '50 Ford Coupe

09-29-2017, 04:25 PM	#7
'68OrangeSunshine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Posts: 7,439	Re: What gauge are battery cables? I use 2 gauge, just for overkill. Works great. __________________ Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not.

09-29-2017, 04:30 PM	#8
wahl4m Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: norwalk,iowa,usa Posts: 921	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 ???

10-01-2017, 11:16 AM	#10
B. W. Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Bigfork, Montana Posts: 1,137	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.

09-29-2017, 05:40 PM	#12
davepl Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 6,332	Re: What gauge are battery cables? It varies by engine. 4 gauge for big blocks. 6 gauge for others. __________________ 1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible

09-30-2017, 07:44 PM	#13
mike16 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: bisbee, arizona Posts: 1,529	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

09-30-2017, 07:55 PM	#14
Bigdav160 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Klein Texas Posts: 3,852	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? __________________ My Classics: '72 K20 Suburban + '65 Dodge Town Wagon '72 Corvette Roadster +'67 Corvette Roadster '73 Z-28 Camaro '63 Ford SWB Uni Pickup '50 Ford Coupe

10-02-2017, 08:06 AM	#15
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,852	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. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

10-03-2017, 05:34 PM	#17
Lemield Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arvada Colorado Posts: 1,321	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/ __________________ Larry 1949 Willys CJ2A, Kubota Turbo Diesel engine, Warn Overdrive, 11 inch brakes, 12volt, Warn M8000 Winch "Little Green" 1970 Rustoleum Roller Red C20 Custom Camper 454 TH400 "Big Red" 1971 K20 6.2 Turbo Diesel 4x4 4spd Ranger Overdrive "Pumpkin Wagon" 2005 VW Beetle Diesel 44+ MPG "Silver Bullet"



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