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Battery cable size
Posted:
Tue Apr 14, 2020 5:51 pm
by elancoupe
Looking to replace some of the original battery cables - they appear to be 4gauge, is this correct?
Re: Battery cable size
Posted:
Wed Apr 15, 2020 7:40 am
by MarkDa
As big as you can get into your battery clamp
Re: Battery cable size
Posted:
Wed Apr 15, 2020 10:43 am
by HCA
4 is going to be fine, but 3 if you can get it, and it is flexible enough.
Re: Battery cable size
Posted:
Wed Apr 15, 2020 11:16 am
by elanner
Heck, I used 2 GA from this eBay seller. Custom built and very nice:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Gauge-AWG-BL ... 2178593017He sells red & black and other gauges.
Nick
Re: Battery cable size
Posted:
Wed Apr 15, 2020 11:37 am
by HCA
You are certainly not going to suffer any voltage drop..
Re: Battery cable size
Posted:
Wed Apr 15, 2020 1:40 pm
by gjz30075
I installed #2 gauge but I bought in bulk and made my own ends. I like Nick's ebay seller's
cables and would go that route instead, if I were to do it again.
Re: Battery cable size
Posted:
Wed Apr 15, 2020 1:48 pm
by ericbushby
I went to the local breakers yard and cut a length out of a scrap car including the tag on one end.
When I told the owner what it was for he gave it me free !
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC
Re: Battery cable size
Posted:
Wed Apr 15, 2020 2:02 pm
by john.p.clegg
Eric
What other car has the battery in the boot?
John
Re: Battery cable size
Posted:
Wed Apr 15, 2020 2:04 pm
by MarkDa
The Ebay cables are very impressive with all the choices available the way I'd go if doing it from scratch - haven't looked in UK but somebody should do it.
I had the same thought
Re: Battery cable size
Posted:
Wed Apr 15, 2020 2:47 pm
by Bud English
Thanks for that link Nick. Nice find!
Re: Battery cable size
Posted:
Wed Apr 15, 2020 3:01 pm
by ericbushby
Hi John, yes you are right. I only needed a short length for the battery earth so I found what I wanted.
I agree that method would not work if you were replacing the long cable to the engine bay.
Eric in Burnley.
Re: Battery cable size
Posted:
Wed Apr 15, 2020 4:17 pm
by MarkDa
Had a quick look at eBay and found a supplier.
Longest length listed is 2500mm - I expect they'll go longer.
No affiliation or experience.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/372808704743
Re: Battery cable size
Posted:
Wed Apr 15, 2020 5:14 pm
by Andy8421
john.p.clegg wrote:Eric
What other car has the battery in the boot?
John
The original Mini.
Re: Battery cable size
Posted:
Wed Apr 15, 2020 5:52 pm
by Slowtus
john.p.clegg wrote:Eric
What other car has the battery in the boot?
John
Lotus Cortinas, earlier Escorts, BMWs etc...lots
Re: Battery cable size
Posted:
Wed Apr 15, 2020 6:36 pm
by elancoupe
Gentlemen, thanks for all the input, I have some kit on the way.
A related question, should the battery ground cable just lay loose in the lower corner of the boot, or should there be some retainers? On an S3.