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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,952 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,952 | I just installed a battery cut-off in the truck and went to get a 5 foot length of cable to run between the switch and the starter. The wire size is 4 gauge which is all they had.
The battery cable I had before and will use between the switch and the battery is bigger in diameter, possibly a 2 gauge.
Is there any problem running a 2 and a 4 gauge in the same circuit? It is 12 volts.
Thanks | | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 | Bill,
There isn't a problem mixing them, but the current carrying capacity of your circuit is now be dictated by the smaller gauge wire.
Just for future projects, buying 'welding lead' from your welding supply store makes for a real nice, flexible battery cable.
Stuart | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,952 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,952 | Stuart
Thanks. I was going to go to a welding shop but as my time in that part of town was limited and they just had shut for lunch. Timing is everything!
As far as circuit capacity is concerned, I won't know. All I have is a 12 volt system and a 6 volt starter. The engine turns over after half a crank. There are no other electrical accessories on the truck.
Bill | | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 | Bill,
I have probably confused the issue, as usual. What I was trying to say was a certain gauge wire will carry a specific amount of current. Think of the garden hose deal again. If you have a 1" garden hose 20 feet long and you splice a 5 foot piece of 1/2 garden hose right smack dab in the middle, you won't get the flow (ampacity) you had with the 1" hose as it now has been choked to 1/2".
The only concern would be with the added length and the reduced gauge. The gauge would only be a concern to the starter proper as it draws a huge amount of current...the charging system and the rest of the truck would be no real consequence.
I'm sure it will be fine, especially if your truck is a 'easy starter' which it sounds like it its.
Stuart | | | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 89 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 89 | The Local Auto/Elect shop who re-built my 6 volt starter made me a custom battery cable made from a heavy duty large multi-strand welding cable stock. I am on 12 volts and quite happy with this set-up.
GL,
Terry | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 | Back when I ran a diesel truck road service my booster cables were made of #0 welder cable, and I ran an 8-D battery. I could jump start big rigs with well over 1,000 amps available. When it comes to battery cables, bigger is almost always better!
Jerry
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