Made sparks with clutch pedal!

[AnthonyG]

Car is a '35. I did a 6v to 12v conversion, at the time I couldn't find anyone making a custom fit Positive cable from battery to foot switch starter for 12 volt conversion. Still can't. Was told at the time I should go with 2 aut wire instead of the 4 aut that the car had stock for the 6v. Said the 4 aut would heat up too much on the 12V system. Went with a cable in 2 aut ( Advanced Auto ) which is a lot thicker and with that cable running very close to the clutch pedal there wasn't much clearance. Guess it didn't have enough and eventually got in the way of the clutch pedal motion and shorted. A little hairy but I let off the clutch and the short stopped.

Here's my question, can I go back to the 4 aut cable made for the route the cable takes from the Battery to the foot starter or will it indeed heat up too much ( much more flexible and the end that connects to the foot starter has a much thinner termination ) much better fit all around?

Or does anyone make this cable designed for the 12V application?

[Ralph Moore]

6 volt requires heavier cables than 12 volt

[GSCOV]

Go to a heavy truck dealer and get some cable and ends. Make it the length you want and solder the ends. It's not that hard. I have had problems with "correct" parts before myself. I always change the floor switch to a 1937 style solenoid and hide the starter button under the dash.

[40cpe]

4/0 is larger wire than 2/0

[V8COOPMAN]

Go to a GOOD welding supply store with your dimensions in hand. Have them make-up a 2/0 fine-stranded welding cable with the correct ends (many variations available) to properly fit your application. You'll never look back. As said above, 4/0 is larger than 2/0. I've said it before...you can never be TOO large on wire size. DD

[Deuce Man]

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Now that the car is 12 volts you can get away with smaller wire, just the opposite of what you were told. If you dont believe it look under the hood of your modern daily driver. Rich

[flatford8]

40 cpe. I think you got it backwards. Smaller # = heavier wire. 18 ga. Small. 4/0 big .....Mark

[flatford8]

I saw kind of the same thing happen at a gas station I worked as a kid. Some was checking the oil on a car and when he put the dip stick back in, he missed the tube, shorted out the starter. The car started and was in gear. Took off across the yard and ripped the hose out. Most exciting time I ever had at work........Mark

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by flatford8

40 cpe. I think you got it backwards. Smaller # = heavier wire. 18 ga. Small. 4/0 big .....Mark

Correct...on "gauge-sized wire". Then it changes at 0/0. 2/0 is larger than 2 ga. 4/0 is larger than 2/0. DD

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by flatford8

I saw kind of the same thing happen at a gas station I worked as a kid. Some was checking the oil on a car and when he put the dip stick back in, he missed the tube, shorted out the starter. The car started and was in gear. Took off across the yard and ripped the hose out. Most exciting time I ever had at work........Mark

How did shorting the starter turn-on the ignition? DD

[flatford8]

I stand corrected on the 0/0-0/2-0/4. Driver must have left the key on. This was 40 yrs ago so there was no saftey switch on the clutch pedal.......Mark

[AnthonyG]

Do you guys agree with Deuce Man?
"Now that the car is 12 volts you can get away with smaller wire, just the opposite of what you were told. If you dont believe it look under the hood of your modern daily driver. Rich"

[V8COOPMAN]

Generally speaking, 6v wiring is heavier than 12v stuff. Go look at that wimpy little POS battery cable on Momma's car. DD

[Jack E/NJ]

Because the starter impedance doesn't change, a 6 volt starter will draw about twice the amps at 12 volts than it does at 6 volts. That's part of the reason it spins faster.

Jack E/NJ

[AnthonyG]

V8COOPMAN, so I should be OK with the smaller ought wire 2/0 with the 12 volt conversion?

I do like the idea of using the '37 style solenoid / relay to a stater button on the dash. Looked at the parts online at Mac's. I could mount it on the firewall away from the clutch pedal altogether.
Thx for the info and good ideas!

[V8COOPMAN]

I'd run the 2/0 in a heartbeat. See below! DD

2/0

Conductor Stranding: 1235/0.01 in.
Nominal Outside Diameter (in.): 0.586
Max Amps: 325

[AnthonyG]

Thx again V8COOPMAN