Author Topic: Battery Cable Gauge  (Read 4994 times)

AZ_HJ

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Battery Cable Gauge
« on: May 31, 2011, 10:07:00 PM »
Question for those who have good electrical knowledge. I just received a custom battery cable for my 1952 Henry J Vagabond. I had ordered it as a 1 Gauge and they made it in SAE 4 GA. Can anyone tell me with the 6V battery used on a Henry J and an Autolite Starter/Solenoid setup will I have an issue with 4 gauge vs 1 GA? Can I pull enough current? Will 4 gauge heat up? I would welcome any comments. I need feedback soon as I need to contact the supplier and return if needed.

Thanks in advance.
1948 Willy CJ2A Jeep
1952 Henry J Vagabond Deluxe
1953 Kaiser Traveler Deluxe

kaiserfrazerlibrary

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Re: Battery Cable Gauge
« Reply #1 on: June 01, 2011, 06:06:39 AM »
I take it this is a braided cable, like the original?

AZ_HJ

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Re: Battery Cable Gauge
« Reply #2 on: June 01, 2011, 07:34:13 AM »
I am talking about the negative cable. Which goes from the negative terminal of the Battery to the Solenoid. I assume that it is a twisted stranded wire with a jacket.
1948 Willy CJ2A Jeep
1952 Henry J Vagabond Deluxe
1953 Kaiser Traveler Deluxe

Fid

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Re: Battery Cable Gauge
« Reply #3 on: June 01, 2011, 08:24:22 AM »
A 4 gauge?!  The original is a 1 as you say and most 12 Volt systems use a 2 gauge. I can say from experience that the correct gauge cable makes all the difference in the world, especially on 6 volt cars. If you ordered a 1 gauge and they made you a 4, send it back and insist it be a 1 gauge. My '53 Henry J, with a Delco starter, plagued me for years with hard starting or no starting. The problem? Someone installed a 2 gauge cable for a modern 12 volt system. I got the correct one and never had a problem again. I'm not sure how it can effect the Autolite starters but I'm pretty sure it's going to be similar. If a 2 gauge cable cannot push the correct amount of current (and it can't) on a 6 volt system, a 4 gauge will be hopeless.  There was just some discussion the Walck's 4 WD Jeep site and the experts  there make the same claim on the 6 volt systems. They work fine if you have the correct gauge cables.
« Last Edit: June 01, 2011, 08:42:30 PM by Fid »
1953 Henry J Corsair Deluxe
Edgar Kaiser's custom 1951 Henry J
1951 Kaiser Special
1952 Allstate Deluxe

Need your classic car radio repaired? I repair vacuum tube radios

kaiserfrazerlibrary

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Re: Battery Cable Gauge
« Reply #4 on: June 02, 2011, 05:24:40 AM »
1 gage cables should be available out of places like Tractor Supply Company stores.  The same cable suitable for 6 volt tractors should work for 6 volt cars.   

Jim B PEI

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Re: Battery Cable Gauge
« Reply #5 on: June 02, 2011, 08:01:31 AM »
Yes, go out of town if you have to, and go to an actual tractor dealer--they have the most incredible selection of parts, from copper/brass washers to 0 gauge cable.  I cannot emphasis this enough to Kaiser owners--when I had to get my 49 K engine rebuilt, the local small town FLAPS which mainly services tractors, marine engines and trucks had virtually every single part I needed for the complete rebuild of a Continental engine ON THE SHELF. A few parts--some of the pistons I believe, came in next day from their local area warehouse 100 miles away. Continentals were used in Massey-Ferguson tractors, Clark forklifts, and all sort of other industrial equipment such as irrigators, compressors, and generators. Not two miles from me, I can think of at least 5 or 6 pieces of Continental powered equipment still being used--or painted up and shown off--by local farmers.

Also, go to a heavy equipment dealer/truck repair/tractor place if you need competent lube jobs done, or your king pins rebuilt, or a generator redone. Lots of garbage trucks/landscaping tractors/transports etc are still around and truck tractor places understand zerks and king pins, long after your corner garage has lost the knowledge.
« Last Edit: June 02, 2011, 08:53:02 AM by Jim B PEI »
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Fid

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Re: Battery Cable Gauge
« Reply #6 on: June 02, 2011, 08:20:00 AM »
Unfortunately http://www.antiqueautobattery.com sells cables that are questionable.  I bought two from them, because they make the 1 gauge with an offset head as the originals are but...  they do a crummy job.  The heads fall off of them! It happened to both of mine but I have a propane torch and used that to solder the heads back on myself and that worked well.  If you don't have a propane torch or are not comfortable using one, you may want to find someone who is if you go with the http://www.antiqueautobattery.com cables!
« Last Edit: March 08, 2012, 02:02:08 PM by Fid »
1953 Henry J Corsair Deluxe
Edgar Kaiser's custom 1951 Henry J
1951 Kaiser Special
1952 Allstate Deluxe

Need your classic car radio repaired? I repair vacuum tube radios

boatingbill

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Re: Battery Cable Gauge
« Reply #7 on: June 02, 2011, 03:16:22 PM »
The smaller the gauge the higher the resistance and thus the lower the current. A two gauge will have
lower current flow on a 6v system and cause starting problems. Everything else works fine, but starting
a car requires the MOST current flow on the electrical system. Replace it with a one gauge and you
should be fine.

Fid

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Re: Battery Cable Gauge
« Reply #8 on: June 02, 2011, 04:15:08 PM »
You have it backwards - the smaller the gauge, the lower the resistance, or the higher the conductance. Probably a typo as you are correct, a 1 gauge will pass more current (amps) than a 2 gauge.
1953 Henry J Corsair Deluxe
Edgar Kaiser's custom 1951 Henry J
1951 Kaiser Special
1952 Allstate Deluxe

Need your classic car radio repaired? I repair vacuum tube radios

boatingbill

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Re: Battery Cable Gauge
« Reply #9 on: June 02, 2011, 11:35:44 PM »
It was a typo, it should have save "lower" resistance. I always thought it unusual that the lower the
gauge number, the bigger the wire.

AZ_HJ

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Re: Battery Cable Gauge
« Reply #10 on: June 03, 2011, 03:24:25 PM »
It was Antique Auto Battery Inc. who made the cable. I called them this morning and they are making it again and hopefully in the correct gauge this time. Fid, I do know how to use a torch and think I do a good job of sweating pipe and soldering circuit boards, so I think I can repair any workmanship issues that might be present.
1948 Willy CJ2A Jeep
1952 Henry J Vagabond Deluxe
1953 Kaiser Traveler Deluxe

Logan

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Re: Battery Cable Gauge
« Reply #11 on: June 07, 2011, 10:32:33 PM »
I used Antique Auto battery and they made the correct type wires, but they are a bit on the crappy side.  The ends have not fallen off, but the quality is a little questionable and I would not use them again, although they are still functioning fine.

pnw_oldmags

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Re: Battery Cable Gauge
« Reply #12 on: June 08, 2011, 08:31:07 AM »
I am preparing to reinstall the positive ground cable on our 53 K Manhattan.  The battery end is easy.  Where should the other end connect.   It was hooked to the front top Generator mounting bolt.  That does not seem correct.  Where should it be?
Jim Betts  LM6945
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kaiserfrazerlibrary

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Re: Battery Cable Gauge
« Reply #13 on: June 08, 2011, 09:17:32 AM »
Normally the ground cable was connected between the positive side of the battery and the driver side motor mount bolt that held the piece of the front plate.  Check the Service Manual for 1951 as well as the 1952-53 supplement.