Conversions & Swaps LSX Engines in Non-LSX Vehicles
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Relocated battery, what size of cable?

Old 09-30-2008, 01:22 PM
  #1  
TECH Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (7)
 
Ackattack1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Valley Center KS
Posts: 1,602
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default Relocated battery, what size of cable?

I'm moving the battery to the back of my '68 for better weight distribution. It's probably ~12' or so to the starter. I'm using corvette accessories (alternator). I'll also be using a battery cut off, if that matters.

What size of battery cable should I use? I priced out the 0/1 at over $5/foot!

Also, I figure I'll run the main negative up to the engine block.
Old 09-30-2008, 01:31 PM
  #2  
Staging Lane
iTrader: (1)
 
95PGTTech's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

A quality 4AUG should do it no problem, but I'd rather only do it once, so I did 0AUG on my relocate. Both positive up to fuse box and alternator, up front ground-engine block and in rear ground-body.

At the rate I spend money on the car, what was an extra $100 for fancy nice looking big wires, nice looking firewall pass throughs, etc. An inexpensive, highly-efficient 0AUG is welding wire. The stuff used to supply grounds in professional welding shops for the TIG welders - they order it in 100+ foot lengths so it's usually only $1-$2 per foot.
Old 10-01-2008, 08:50 AM
  #3  
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Old Geezer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: GA, USA
Posts: 5,640
Received 70 Likes on 62 Posts

Default

Take a look at what Jegs and Summit have to offer. The wire sizes are listed there.
I use 1/0 weld cable. It's alot more flexible than batt cable. Also, unless the car has a full frame, I run the grnd to the engine, not the unibody.
Old 10-01-2008, 09:58 AM
  #4  
Staging Lane
iTrader: (1)
 
95PGTTech's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Assuming you are moving the battery to the back, you need to run (in front) a ground to the body because your ground in the back is going to the body. An additional ground up front to the engine is a good idea.
Old 10-01-2008, 01:16 PM
  #5  
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (7)
 
forcd ind's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: woodbine, md
Posts: 4,115
Received 228 Likes on 161 Posts

Default

i use at least #1, and use #4 for the alt to the rear-the larger for the alt allows it to run cooler, less resistance-much smaller and it sees it as a load, and keeps trying to charge all the time-the bat cut off switch has to shut the motor off when turned/pushed
Old 10-01-2008, 01:31 PM
  #6  
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (19)
 
2002_Z28_Six_Speed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Wash, DC
Posts: 4,539
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

5$ a foot for 0/1? You must of been looking and some pretty crappy cable...

I used an audio grade cable and it made the job very easy. Compared to auto parts store the audio grade is actually bendable, has more conductor, and more insulator!

I think I spend about 100 on my cabling excluding some conductor and connectors I got for free.
The following users liked this post:
kilosgarage (07-02-2021)
Old 10-01-2008, 01:45 PM
  #7  
Staging Lane
 
Kelly.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Colorado Springs, CO (6200ft altitude =/ )
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

i used 2g and havent had any problems
Old 10-01-2008, 02:44 PM
  #8  
TECH Regular
iTrader: (2)
 
loweredd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Struble, IA
Posts: 443
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

What would "crappy" 0/1 be? I bought red welding cable from the welding store years ago for something else, and it was really cheap.
Old 10-01-2008, 03:12 PM
  #9  
TECH Apprentice
 
a10beav's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

I used 0AUG from the battery to the starter, but 1/0 should be good enough too. The ground wire shouldn't be too long though, so you still should ground it in the back; grounding the engine to the frame up front will help too. For the alternator/battery recharge I'd use 6 or 8 gauge.

Check out Taylor's kits: http://www.taylorvertex.com/hp/index...leGroundingKit
Old 10-01-2008, 04:58 PM
  #10  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (12)
 
Shawn MacAnanny's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Delaware
Posts: 2,105
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

I used 1/0 copper THHN house wire up front. Didnt relocate my battery though. Very stiff to bend. I used it for my alternater, ground, and starter. I see 14.4v all the time though and 14.2v at my fuel pump where i ran 10awg copper house wire.
Old 10-01-2008, 07:00 PM
  #11  
TECH Regular
iTrader: (2)
 
loweredd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Struble, IA
Posts: 443
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

https://weldingsupply.securesites.co...F:OR:terms::PA

Scroll down a bit.....0/1 for $2.61 a foot, unless you buy more, then its even less.....I suppose you're not cool unless you spend over $100 for the cable.
Old 10-01-2008, 07:06 PM
  #12  
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (10)
 
ss454327's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Scott, AR
Posts: 619
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

You don't need to run a ground from the battery back to the front you just need to make sure the engine is grounded and the battery in the rear has a solid ground as well. You won't NEED anything bigger than 4aug and you can use welding lead instead of expensive car audio wire. I wouldn't skimp on the connections either.
Old 10-01-2008, 07:12 PM
  #13  
TECH Apprentice
 
fouz65's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Mobile AL.
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Kelly.
i used 2g and havent had any problems
X2

and make sure you put a 150 amp infuse or s/thing on the cable. if it shorts out it can burn the car to the ground.
Old 10-01-2008, 10:40 PM
  #14  
TECH Resident
iTrader: (44)
 
Jeff Smith's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Tail of the Dragon's
Posts: 946
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

Originally Posted by Shawn MacAnanny
I used 1/0 copper THHN house wire up front. Didnt relocate my battery though. Very stiff to bend. I used it for my alternater, ground, and starter. I see 14.4v all the time though and 14.2v at my fuel pump where i ran 10awg copper house wire.
Good idea..............
Old 10-01-2008, 10:43 PM
  #15  
TECH Resident
iTrader: (44)
 
Jeff Smith's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Tail of the Dragon's
Posts: 946
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

I use 2GA welding cable (15Ft). I would put the battery box in driver's side backseat.
Old 10-02-2008, 09:57 AM
  #16  
LS1TECH Sponsor
iTrader: (5)
 
Carshopinc.com's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Moline, ILLINOIS
Posts: 645
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Here are a few options from my website
http://allstarperformance.carshopinc..._id/5554/76110

http://allstarperformance.carshopinc..._id/5555/76112

http://allstarperformance.carshopinc..._id/5556/76114

http://painlesswiring.carshopinc.com...id/43851/40100

http://taylorvertex.carshopinc.com/p...id/53223/48000
Old 10-02-2008, 11:41 AM
  #17  
Registered User
 
1999ls1snake's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by fouz65
X2

and make sure you put a 150 amp infuse or s/thing on the cable. if it shorts out it can burn the car to the ground.
It's much better to use a solenoid. This way the cable is only live when cranking. Put the fuse on the alternator cable instead. Littlefuse makes nice Mega fuses in the 80 to 200 amp range. 100 amp should be plenty.
Old 10-02-2008, 11:49 AM
  #18  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (8)
 
kyles2000z's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Spartanburg, SC
Posts: 2,545
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

4 ga stereo wire has done just fine for me for the power wire! you may want larger for the negative.....when i used the same size negative it would be hard to start. that is if you are planning on running the ground the whole car length. if you wanted to keep the 4 ga for the ground.....just ground it in the front and also in the back so theres less resistance with the shroter lengths.
Old 10-02-2008, 03:00 PM
  #19  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (12)
 
Shawn MacAnanny's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Delaware
Posts: 2,105
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Jeff Smith
Good idea..............
Haha was that being sarcastic? I wast trying to be cheap, and it wasnt, but i know that that i see max voltage with it. I used some Tsunami batter clamps from Autozone the gold plated ones. they are GREAT. They have two 4 AWG inputs each and two 8 gauge that tighten down with allen screws. The 1/0awg house wire fits in the 4 awg and two soldered 10 awg fits in the 8 gauge places. My entire car is run with toggle switches lmao.
Old 10-02-2008, 09:20 PM
  #20  
Staging Lane
 
Geezer's Garage's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Southwest Missouri
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

I used #2 welding cable at $1.87 per foot. I welded a ground stud to the unibody trunk floor plus ran an 8 gauge ground cable from the battery back up to the engine block. Engine also has two other ground straps to the body. Working fine.

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Relocated battery, what size of cable?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:19 AM.