SV Battery

[chimpodunker]

Does anyone know the length of battery cable for a SV with the battery behind the passenger seat. The positive cable from battery to solenoid. I will be cutting it to install a maxi fuse so better to be a little on the long side.
Gary

 

[DanR]

I can get it for you tomorrow at the earliest....

 

[loose_electron]

Suggest that you run and feed the cable, starting with something known to be too long, and then trim to fit in place. I hid my in line fuse underneath the car, so you only knows it exists if the car is up in the air and you are looking around.

 

[90days]

The positive battery cable that was removed from my Series V is 9’8”or 116”long. This was from the battery box to, I’m assuming to the starter solenoid. Hope this helps.

 

[chimpodunker]

Thanks. That helps a lot. I'll order one a couple feet longer and cut it to fit with a maxi fuse. Do you know the wire gauge?

 

[Paul A]

I get my heavy duty battery cables from a local shop that installs custom gigantic sound systems in cars, trucks, etc. The price is better buying from them than any auto parts store and they even fit the cable ends for me.

 

[john.hemsath]

I had to replace my "+" cable shortly after purchasing my SV because the existing cable arced at the hole leaving the battery storage area.
The grommet for that hole was missing so the cable rubbed against raw metal until the wire was exposed.
During the arcing, the cable insulation caught on fire! Yowza. Luckily I was able to put out the fire without damage to the car.
Be sure to replace the grommets at all three holes where the wire passes as you replace the cable.
ACE hardware had exactly what was needed for the job.

 

[DanR]

Sorry for not getting back sooner! You have some answers!

Mine (removed from a SV) came to a few inches (2 1/2 ) less that the 10'.....

Maybe add an extra foot to have plenty to play with,

 

[90days]

My original cable looks to be around 2 gauge or even 4 gauge? It’s not 1 gauge for sure. Most aftermarket relocation kits offer 1 or 2 gauge cables. The size depends on your current draw and the total length of your cable. I plan on using 2 gauge cable when I relocate my battery to the trunk. If you’re unsure, 1 gauge may be an over kill, but you will not have any issued cranking your engine. I would check with the other members to see what they are using and recommend. I’m sure someone will respond with some more information on the cable size they used.

 

[PROCRAFT]

We got our Cable from a company in Louisville KY batteries plus or something like that , used 1.0 made it up on the car was half the price as the local parts store we got multi strand which was flexiable.

 

[Gary T]

I purchased my battery cable from a welding supply company. #4 Flex-A-Prene (brand name) and soldered as well as crimped the eye end of the cable and used the single bolt type end for the battery end. I have used welding cable before and it is flexible and capable of carrying way more current than we need, but it is more efficient than normal battery cable. Just my experience.

 

[DanR]

Gary, I believe it is also braided copper wire? If so, it would be superior!

 

[chimpodunker]

Thanks everyone. Great information.

 

[phyrman]

Number 2 cable you can purchase at a welding supply shop!

 

[loose_electron]

One comment about crimping connectors onto these heavy battery cables.

You must use a hydraulic crimper and the appropriate size die for the cable and connector. They hydraulic crimpers (and a full set of crimping dies) are about $40 on EBay and do an excellent job.

If you try smashing the connector in a vise, or with vice grips or something else it is NOT going to work properly.

https://www.harborfreight.com/hydraulic-wire-crimping-tool-66150.html

 

[PROCRAFT]

You can solder the ends on just as easily
Or you can make a simple half round block and use a blunt nose chisel and stake them.

 

[chimpodunker]

I have a large crimping tool and plan to solder also.

 

[65beam]

I had a 12 foot #4 cable for the RHD car made today at O'reillly auto parts. I had one connector installed for the solenoid. They crimp the cable ends. It's long for an Alpine but I can cut it once I'm ready to hook it to my disconnect switch at the battery. They stock various gauge of cable and ends. Cost was $31.00 and the cable is very flexible.

 

[loose_electron]

Properly Crimp. Do not solder.

This is a common mistake people have, they think it's smart to crimp and solder.

No.

Crimp only. This advice is as per the procedural recommendations of both NASA and USAF wiring standards. (and others)

When you solder a stranded wire into a connector the wicking of solder into the wire strands creates a brittle mechanical junction that repetitive flexing will break. A properly crimped wire will bend and flex with greater life than a soldered wire.

 

[Billm]

I replaced my battery cables with cables from Battery Cables USA. Ordered up the length and size and received them in 4 days. The company is located in Kentucky.