Labor Day Putting down your wrenches or time for
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| | | | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 554 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 554 | Why did most older vehicles use a braided ground cable and why did we stop using them. I am trying to decide whether to use a braided ground on my 1952 or just a regular cable. The braided cables don't have a gauge rating like copper cables. How do you know if it is adequate or not?
Chuck | | | | | Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 3,887 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 3,887 | the pre-made ones are 2 gauge and are tin coated copper, nothing better, ordinary standard cables are just cheaper, which is why braided aren't used OEM much now, grounds aren't quite as important on 12V - you'll still find flat braided grounds on a lot of high end tech equipment - go with the best  Bill | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | NAPA had one size of braided ground cable the last time I asked. It was 6 gauge and inadequate for a 6v system. Jim Carter indicates he has "correct" braided cable and that could mean 2 gauge or fatter. If it is 2 gauge, it would be OK, but a thicker cable would be better. I use round/covered 2/0 (00) gauge ground cable and get it long enough to run from the battery to a starter bolt. http://www.waltstractors.com/acatalog/Ground_Cable-Flat_Braided.html | | | | | Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 328 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 328 | I use a flat braided ground cable (about 2 1/4 inches wide) to go from
engine to frame.
I use a "zero" gauge cable to go from Battery to engine.
I use a round braided cable from body to frame "mid ship" just to be sure.
Proper grounding is the key to a good wiring job!
Mike
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 554 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 554 | My original braided cable looked pretty funky. I had a container of used phosphoric acid that I thought was used up. I threw the cable in that and forgot it for about a week. Most of the tin is gone and it is clean copper wire. I suppose this will oxidize or sulfate up if I try to use it in that condition or will it?
The only braided cables I have seen do not indicate a gauge rating. Finding 2/0 cable anywhere around here hasn't happened for me. The last time I tried at a starter/alternator rebuilder place I left after the owner insisted that 1 gauge was a bigger cable than 2/0. Drawing 2 zeros on his notepaper helped about as much as if I drew them on his forehead.
Chuck | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | | | | | | Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 3,887 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 3,887 | Chuck - yes the bare copper will oxidize and wind up weakening - being nice and clean, you could get a good 200W soldering iron or gun and some 60/40 straight wire solder and paste flux and re-tin it yourself, just don't flow so much solder on it gets stiff - good as new
Bill | | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 457 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 457 | Tractor Supply has several sizes of braided ground strap, at least when I got one a few years ago. I used to work at Carquest, and we could get a wide range of sizes....NAPA should be able to, also.
1940 Chevy 1/2 ton pickup "KC"
A day without sunshine is like, well, ..... dark!
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 |
The braided cable (and non-braided cable) will not oxidize much (if any) if you coat the contact surfaces with non-oxidizing conductive grease (available off the shelf from NAPA).
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,393 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,393 | In Tech Tips there is some useful info in the Electrical Systems category too.
Drew
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 554 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 554 | Thanks for all the help and suggestions.
Drew, I just read thru most of the Tech Tips again.
It just proves I don't understand everything I know about electricity.
Chuck | | |
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