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» Northern California Ford Owners     » Automotive   » Tech Talk   » battery cable?

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Author Topic: battery cable?
coupe5oh
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what guage(sp) is the cable? gonna be putting my battery in the trunk and would like to know what size cable i need? ive been told just to use jumper cables and just replace the ends..is that ok to use?

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R.I.P Willie Guzman (5ltrsvt)
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Posts: 2288 | From: Hayward | Registered: Oct 2010  |  :
coupedup
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I wouldnt do the jumper cable thing, I'll check the size cable I have and let you know in a minute.
Posts: 4406 | From: Ca | Registered: May 2010  |  :
coupe5oh
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also im going to be installing a quick disconnect switch and was wondering if it was ok to install it inline with the positive cable..ive only seen ppl do it with the negative cable thats why i ask..

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R.I.P Willie Guzman (5ltrsvt)
96 4.6- H/C/I 5.3 LS swap
95 5.0- SOLD
94 5.0- SOLD

Posts: 2288 | From: Hayward | Registered: Oct 2010  |  :
coupe5oh
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anyone else?

[ September 04, 2012, 02:25 PM: Message edited by: coupe5oh ]

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R.I.P Willie Guzman (5ltrsvt)
96 4.6- H/C/I 5.3 LS swap
95 5.0- SOLD
94 5.0- SOLD

Posts: 2288 | From: Hayward | Registered: Oct 2010  |  :
norcalfiddy
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Its 4 gauge wire.

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Posts: 3393 | From: Brentwood | Registered: Aug 2011  |  :
LXjames
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Peter install the cut off switch on the negative side because it sends less of a voltage spike when you connect ground. It's just like when you jump a car. If you've ever put positive on last you see sparks right? But with the negative not so much or maybe even none. It's just a safe way of not burning out any of your wiring

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Posts: 4761 | From: Pittsburg CA | Registered: Mar 2011  |  :
Duncan Motors
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i personally use 0 gauge, 2 at the minimum. 4 is whats stock and is ok for the stock setup, cause of the short run it has to go. with the whole distance from front to rear, the cable could get hot, and jus saying it takes some experience to run cable and know where its not gona pinch or be exposed to heat or rub on sharp edges, any of these problems cause the cable to heat up, rubber becomes thin and it might melt and short. the thicker cable u can crank on all day and will never heat up. if the jumper cables are of thick cable u can do it, very ghetto and ill laugh at u. but if your in a jam and plan on upgrading later ill keep my mouth shut lol. all jumper cables are different sized wires, so unless u already have them and they are thick use them . if u gotta buy anything,,,,,,,,, buy the right stuff. cables are more expensive anyways. i use welding wire, very think, very flexable, and very quality cable with a gd sheild of rubber, and the least expensive at that!! when u go to the rear under the car it gets very close to the fuel lines, exaust and control arms. when i go to th erear i cut a hole in the beginning of the rear frame rail, run the cable in the frame and pop it out right in the trunk, very clean simple. clean all sharp edges and use thick grommets, and have a fusable link somehow is all a must.
Posts: 6310 | From: Vallejo | Registered: Sep 2006  |  :
racsirx
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quote:
Originally posted by coupe5oh:
also im going to be installing a quick disconnect switch and was wondering if it was ok to install it inline with the positive cable..ive only seen ppl do it with the negative cable thats why i ask..

Well I have an on/off switch for track reasons connected to my positive cable.

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Posts: 20750 | From: Concord & Pittsburg, CA | Registered: Aug 2002  |  :
ItzStock
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quote:
Originally posted by racsirx:
quote:
Originally posted by coupe5oh:
also im going to be installing a quick disconnect switch and was wondering if it was ok to install it inline with the positive cable..ive only seen ppl do it with the negative cable thats why i ask..

Well I have an on/off switch for track reasons connected to my positive cable.
I have it on the positive also
Posts: 1394 | From: Vallejo, Ca | Registered: Dec 2009  |  :
Duncan Motors
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i have mine on the negative just so if anything comes loose there wont be a hot anything exposed to nothing.
Posts: 6310 | From: Vallejo | Registered: Sep 2006  |  :
coupedup
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If you have a system in you car, run the thicker shit like Duncan said 0-2 gauge.. The stock is 4 gauge and thats what Im using.
Posts: 4406 | From: Ca | Registered: May 2010  |  :
BIGBALLFACTOR
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quote:
Originally posted by Duncan Motors:
i have mine on the negative just so if anything comes loose there wont be a hot anything exposed to nothing.

it needs to be on the postive side cut off switchs are to help stop the electric system from working an needs to go to your alt to sut the car down super tech
Posts: 6908 | From: okc | Registered: Dec 2006  |  :
Duncan Motors
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depends what that switch is used for, and how your car is wired , not so super teck.
Posts: 6310 | From: Vallejo | Registered: Sep 2006  |  :
LXjames
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quote:
Originally posted by Duncan Motors:
depends what that switch is used for, and how your car is wired , not so super teck.

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha best comeback ever!!!

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On Point Motorsport prez.
King Lx

Posts: 4761 | From: Pittsburg CA | Registered: Mar 2011  |  :
Duncan Motors
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thanks james. tired of this dude kinda. hes like a burp. gross,stinks, can come an be rude anytime, and always have to be excused after he speaks. and where did he go to school? the spelling an grammer is first place for the worst ever.
Posts: 6310 | From: Vallejo | Registered: Sep 2006  |  :
ItzStock
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If your car is running and you disconnect the negative battery cable nothing will happen. The alternator is still making power and all your accessories have their own ground.

If the car is off and you want to disconnect the power than pulling the negative cable would be fine.

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If you want to cut power to the car while the engine is off than you can do it on the negative cable.

If you want to cut all power to the car while its running than it has to be wired like this.

This is the track legal way to do it. This will turn the engine and all accessories off instantly.

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[ September 05, 2012, 11:25 PM: Message edited by: ItzStock ]

Posts: 1394 | From: Vallejo, Ca | Registered: Dec 2009  |  :
BIGBALLFACTOR
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quote:
Originally posted by ItzStock:
If your car is running and you disconnect the negative battery cable nothing will happen. The alternator is still making power and all your accessories have their own ground.

If the car is off and you want to disconnect the power than pulling the negative cable would be fine.

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If you want to cut power to the car while the engine is off than you can do it on the negative cable.

If you want to cut all power to the car while its running than it has to be wired like this.

This is the track legal way to do it. This will turn the engine and all accessories off instantly.

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This is the right an only way to hook up a battery cut off switch.any other way your just asking for trouble an all kinds off problems
Posts: 6908 | From: okc | Registered: Dec 2006  |  :
7-Up Man
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I spoke with an old guy that ran MADD electrionics, or something like that. He knows or knew everything there was about electrical in cars. He recommended buying 0 guage welding wire. The 4 guage is fine if under the hood, however from the trunk it takes my more copper to get the power to the starter. This also ensures you will not over heat the wire and have a car-b-q at the end of the day. I bought 20 of 0 guage online and it was about 85$. Well worth the investment. No problems with this setup.

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"If women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." -Red Green

Posts: 93 | From: Walnut Creek | Registered: Apr 2008  |  :
50Reasons
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Use double aught gauge welding cable

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Posts: 9483 | From: Sacramento Ca | Registered: Jan 2006  |  :


 
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