Battery Cable

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2012: Battery Cable
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Richard Wolf on Tuesday, October 16, 2012 - 05:37 pm:

I know the 6v battery cable is larger than a 12v one. This one, I have, on my '20 T for the hot side(pos.) looks too small, but it don't look too big to be a 6V cable. It has been homemade,A good job, I must say. The cable says 2 gauge on the wire, itself.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce in Dallas TX on Tuesday, October 16, 2012 - 06:21 pm:

2 Guage is a good 12 volt cable size.

0 (zero) guage or 00 (double zero) is used for 6 volt battery cables.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Peter Claverie on Tuesday, October 16, 2012 - 06:32 pm:

You need 0 or 00 gauge from the + side of the battery to the starter switch, from the switch to the starter, and from the battery to the frame on the - side. You can use the 2 gauge on the jumper from the engine to the frame, which gives a better path than relying on the engine mounts.

I also suggest, while you're at it, you use a starter solenoid, and let the original starter switch merely actuate the solenoid.

Do all that, and you've got it as good as it gets!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Richard Wolf on Tuesday, October 16, 2012 - 07:00 pm:

Royce and Peter;
That is what I was thinking.
Thanks
Richard


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Patterson-Nicholasville, Kentucky on Tuesday, October 16, 2012 - 07:13 pm:

Original Model T battery cables were 1/0 or zero gauge and if you have a properly rebuilt starter switch a solenoid is not required.
I am sympathetic to the idea of a frame to engine connecting cable, but it is certainly not mandatory.
Ron the Coilman


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By ROBERT J STEINER on Tuesday, October 16, 2012 - 08:05 pm:

RJ&L Wiring Supply was selling 2ga, 1ga, 1/0ga, and 2/0 ga braided battery cable by the foot at Hershey this year.Also the battery and lug terminals too.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dennis Hoshield on Tuesday, October 16, 2012 - 08:12 pm:

My local auto supply (Fotchman's Car Quest) has a log crimper .. not all that common for the larger 0 and 00 cables! I used 00 .. (00=2/00 ??)

Royce and Peter ... I would think, if an engine to frame cable was used, that it should be at least stranded (like the heaver arc welding cable), or braid, because of the flexing?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cameron Whitaker on Tuesday, October 16, 2012 - 10:45 pm:

I've been using 4 awg welding cable for 6 volts on several Ts, namely because I have a spool of 40 feet or so of it. I have never had an issue with it, and the starter on my T (back when it used to work) never had an problem turning the engine over, even with a weak battery.

The only heavy gauge wire I have is 4/0, and that might be just a bit too big...


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Aaron Griffey, Hayward Ca. on Tuesday, October 16, 2012 - 10:48 pm:

I like to use 1/0 cable but the smaller 1 gage is large enough. 2 gage will not do the job.
If the battery is to be mounted in the trunk or at the very rear of a speedster the cable from battery to starter switch should be 1/0 ( pronounced 'one ought') as the longer the cable the heavier it needs to be.
I never crimp the terminals to the cables, they should be soldered on for best results. You need to get the cable end hot as well as the terminal and melt 3 to 4 inches of solder in the terminal. That will depend on the size of the solder wire.
You can always buy any length of cable you need at any welding supply shop.
Their gauges are slightly large than standard battery cable so if you buy one gauge it will be plenty heavy for standard battery location on any 6 volt stock Ford.. i believe the original cables were one gauge on all 6 volt Fords.
Best to buy the terminals at an auto supply store as the welding supply terminals are expensive and do not look right for a car.


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