6 Volt Battery Cables

[Lou Van Anne]

How do I tell if the battery cables on my '52 Starliner V8 are indeed correct (not for a 12 volt system).

[BobPalma]

Without getting too technical, look at them.

First look at the battery cables on a 12-volt car; late model OK.

The cables on your '52 should be at least twice as large in diameter. BP

[Corvanti]

i'm pretty sure the '40 had a 0 (zero) gauge positive cable, with a negative strap...

[52 Ragtop]

I used some 00 welding cable and made my own for my 52 Commander.

Jim

[55 56 PREZ 4D]

Don't know what stock factory cable was called for but 1/0 minimum is needed.
Would be about 5/8 " diameter.
Bigger than a "Sharpie" marker. [Magic Marker]
2/0 would be better.
Cable is usually marked. You may get lucky and find a size on the cable.
If the cables are at all old, inspect then very well. Although the cable may look clean and terminals may look good, clean and tight,
the wire is possibly corroded INSIDE the insulation. You can't see it.
A slow starter will result. The starter will turn REAL slow.
Which has caused a lot of people to do unnecessery, complicated, modifications and fixes when all they had to do was replace corroded cables.

[64V-K7]

Which has caused a lot of people to do unnecessery, complicated, modifications and fixes when all they had to do was replace corroded cables.

Hmmm, I resemble that remark...

[55 56 PREZ 4D]

OOP's
It was aimed at all the people who simply HAVE TO CONVERT over to 12 volt because 6 volt is obsolete and doesn't work.
But, I still thank you every time I'm near the 55. And even when I'm not. And when I look out the window at it. And when I think about it. And when I drive it. ETC ETC ETC

[Skip Lackie]

Most battery stores will make them up for you with 2/0 cables and the correct terminations, at a reasonable cost. If there's any doubt about your old ones, it's good insurance.

[warrlaw1]

Tractor store provided 00 cables for mine.

[Lou Van Anne]

Okay guys, I'll demonstrate my ignorance, what do you mean by: 00, 1/0, and 2/0 cables?

[Corvanti]

basically, the gauge of the wire - the lower number, the thicker...

[55 56 PREZ 4D]

American Wire Gauge.
It's a way of sizing electrical wire based on it's current carrying capacity. [amperage]
Most of the wire in your car is size 16, 14, 12, 10. That's for the lights, horn, gauges etc.
For these the bigger the number the SMALLER the wire. The less amperage it will carry.
For the starter/battery cables it's
0 = 1/0 = 1 aught
00 = 2/0 = 2 aught
000 = 3/0 = 3 aught
For these the bigger the number [more 0's] the more amperage it will carry.
dc [direct current] doesn't like to travel well so it needs big wire and good connections.

[PlainBrownR2]

Tractor store provided 00 cables for mine.

Yep, I needed far more for the 12V system in the '55 than what was ordinarily necessary, since the battery was moved to the trunk. A trip to Farm and Fleet bought me a whole roll of 2 gauge and some copper lugs, so it should suffice for the next few cars if I need some more made up.

[Green53]

When I had my battery business I normally used 2/0 welding cable for 6v systems. The big cables pass the current far better.

Denny L