The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Battery Cable Length

Bolters-

I'm just getting my frame set up while the '51 3100 body rests under a tarp. In trying to test the enigne, it would be nice to get the future battery cables set up. I can only estimate the length, but if any one has their lengths handy, it would be a great use. Please advise.

Thanks in advance-

I just replaced the two on my 52 half ton, the neg to frame was 26 inch and the plus was 36 inches,,these were a little long but worked ok, some recommend 2 guage but I used 4, that is all that i COULD find, and that is what the truck had on it, I have owned the truck 7 yrs and the old cables had been on it a long time,,4 is what was on the truck....good luck...Fred

The positive cable is 39 1/2 inches.
The negative cable is 14 1/2 inches.
The engine ground strap is 13 inches.
This information is per the 1954 Master Parts Catalog.

Fred and Brian-

You guys are tops. Thanks for the prompt replies!

At the moment, the 51PhatBoy is a frame, drivetrain and a mocked up steering column (no body parts). Having these measurements allows me to buy the cables and use them as we get the radiator in place. Although it is skeletal, I love to prime the carb and turn the key!

51 if you have a welding supply house near you. They should be able to make you some cables to your requirements. I would go with 2 gauge or 0 gauge but that is me.

Good luck

I get confused every time someone posts the gauge (also spelled "gage") of battery cable/wire that should be used on a 6v or 12v truck.

It is my understanding that the following gages (A.W.G., American Wire Gauge) are commonly used on battery cables:

2
1
1/0 or 1 0 or 0 (different names for same gage)
2/0 or 2 0 or 00 (different names for the same gage)

With the lower numbers being thicker cables. Thicker cables are needed on the 6v as compared to a 12v.

Here is and example of one supplier's products:

http://www.noblewire.com/inventry/invtpg01.htm

JC Whitney sells 2 and 2/0 (2 0 or 00) in several lengths:

http://www.discount-car-parts-online.com/Batteries-&-Battery-Accessories/

I have found both sizes at stores that sell parts for farm tractors.

Questions:
1. Should a 6v system use 2 or or 1 or 0 (1/0) or 00 (2/0) gage cables?
2. Is it possible to buy all these sizes in braided (non covered/sheathed) ground cables?

Thanks, Tim

I will agree, I do not spell very well at times, I was told to look for a 2, I have a 52 with a 235 eng,,12 volt conversion,,,I replaced it with a 4 which is what was on it,,,,and has been for over 7 yrs, so I hope that it will last another 7 or so....If I need to change it, someone tell me if it makes that much difference,,,,,thanks,,,Fred

Hey Fred,

I was not commenting on anyone's spelling (people in glass houses . . ). It seems that people like to argue as to what is the correct spelling of wire "gauge/gage" and sheet metal "gage/gauge". As I recall, there was once a min-lecture posted here.

I am far more interested in what size cable to use on 6v and where to get that size in a braided cable (NAPA, Advance Auto, and AutoZone have only one size - but they do not know what size it is).

Tim

Tim, I have always used 2/0 cable on 6 volt with great success.. I bought them at a heavy truck repair center. They were able to cut the cable to any length and had about a 4 foot crimping tool to install the battery terminals and ring terminals. Those big cables will spin the starter quite nicely..

I used them in conjunction with a battery cut off switch in a discreet location on both my truck and Kook's. It is nice to be able to kill ALL the power to the truck when it is unattended.

Bill-

I'm interested in learning more about the cut-off switch (not the location on your truck!). How did you set it up? Have you posted this info already?

I used a Cole Hersee part # 2484-09. It is pictured on the Cole Hersee Web Page

Go to that page and click on Battery Realted Products then Battery Disconnect Switches for a picture and specs..

My GMC is positive ground so I ran a cable from the negative post to one leg of the switch, then from the other leg of the switch to the starter solenoid..

As I mentioned above, it is nice to dis-connect the power when the truck is sitting in the garage or at a show. It also makes wiring projects easier, flip the switch and you are sure all the power is off..

I have always felt that if you use #2 gauge or larger ( such as #1 1/0 or 00) you won't have any problems no matter what voltage you are running.

I recently relocated my battery to behind the cab and was worried I would need 0 gage or that the cable would be too long. All my local Napa had in stock was 2 gage. The 2 gage works great! The total length of the cable is probably 7-8 feet. The motor spins over fast and fired up quick. I was amazed how easy it fired since my truck has been sitting for more than six months.