The Ford Barn

Roxo · 02-24-2020, 10:43 AM

What size cable do you guys recommend for a 6 volt system?
I moved my battery to the bed of my truck, right behind the driver's seat in a battery box I built. With a cut off switch in the floor of the cab. That makes the cable from the battery to the starter 3 times the length or more. Would a 1 gauge work?

M2M · 02-24-2020, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roxo

What size cable do you guys recommend for a 6 volt system?
I moved my battery to the bed of my truck, right behind the driver's seat in a battery box I built. With a cut off switch in the floor of the cab. That makes the cable from the battery to the starter 3 times the length or more. Would a 1 gauge work?

1 guage likely okay but I would go for 0

Roxo · 02-24-2020, 11:37 AM

My local tractor supply store only carries 1 gauge as their largest. Maybe welding supply stores will have #0 or #2. I got 2 gauge now with 3 gauge for my ground. Turns over slow.

J Franklin · 02-24-2020, 12:38 PM

Check online, there are places that will make up any size, gauge, & terminal connections at a very reasonable price.

Roxo · 02-24-2020, 12:56 PM

I just got back from our new Tractor supply store. They had the #00 so I bought what I needed. I will let you know if she turns over any faster.

wmws · 02-24-2020, 03:00 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

While you're at it ground the engine to the frame with the 00 wire. Most people go from a bell housing bolt to the frame.

Roxo · 02-24-2020, 04:40 PM

WOW!!
What a difference that made. She turns over alot faster and fires right up. I think the original cable before moving the battery was also under sized. It never turned over this good.

WMWS I got an extra cable. I will take your advice and ground the engine or bell housing to the frame.

Thanks for the advice guys!

Patrick L. · 02-24-2020, 07:54 PM

Good !
The 'more bigger the more better' and I like adding the extra ground.

rotorwrench · 02-24-2020, 08:02 PM

With low voltage like 6-volt, any excessive resistance in the line will reduce the voltage enough to kill its effectiveness. 1 AWG cable would be the norm for 6-volt but anything larger would just be extra insurance. For a longer run of cable, larger AWG cable size would be necessary. Size depends on actual length of run. The FAA has a cable size chart in there Advisory Circular AC43.13-1B chapter 11. A person can read this document on the FAA.gov web site.

Flyboy1st · 02-25-2020, 07:59 AM

Extra grounds are one of the keys to a healthy electrical system. I run grounds from all of the frame parts, the old frames trend to corrode between the parts that are riveted together like the cross members and engine mounts, if you ever disassembled a frame you know what I mean. I run a #2 gauge cable from the battery frame ground to the starter mount bolt, makes a big difference. Small gauge with eyelets, 14 gauge, are good for the side rails to crossmembers.

Bob Bidonde · 02-25-2020, 08:21 AM

All Model A's should have this extra battery ground cable.

Roxo · 02-25-2020, 08:54 AM

Great Info guys.
I never thought about jumping a ground across the frame joints.
It looks like it's back to the hardware store.
Thanks for the pic Bob.

02-24-2020, 10:43 AM	#1
Roxo Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Kankakee, Illinois Posts: 225	Battery cable size? What size cable do you guys recommend for a 6 volt system? I moved my battery to the bed of my truck, right behind the driver's seat in a battery box I built. With a cut off switch in the floor of the cab. That makes the cable from the battery to the starter 3 times the length or more. Would a 1 gauge work?

02-24-2020, 11:37 AM	#3
Roxo Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Kankakee, Illinois Posts: 225	Re: Battery cable size? My local tractor supply store only carries 1 gauge as their largest. Maybe welding supply stores will have #0 or #2. I got 2 gauge now with 3 gauge for my ground. Turns over slow.

02-24-2020, 12:38 PM	#4
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,962	Re: Battery cable size? Check online, there are places that will make up any size, gauge, & terminal connections at a very reasonable price.

02-24-2020, 12:56 PM	#5
Roxo Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Kankakee, Illinois Posts: 225	Re: Battery cable size? I just got back from our new Tractor supply store. They had the #00 so I bought what I needed. I will let you know if she turns over any faster.

02-24-2020, 03:00 PM	#6
wmws BANNED Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Coatesville, Pa Posts: 719	Re: Battery cable size? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) While you're at it ground the engine to the frame with the 00 wire. Most people go from a bell housing bolt to the frame.

02-24-2020, 04:40 PM	#7
Roxo Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Kankakee, Illinois Posts: 225	Re: Battery cable size? WOW!! What a difference that made. She turns over alot faster and fires right up. I think the original cable before moving the battery was also under sized. It never turned over this good. WMWS I got an extra cable. I will take your advice and ground the engine or bell housing to the frame. Thanks for the advice guys!

02-24-2020, 07:54 PM	#8
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Battery cable size? Good ! The 'more bigger the more better' and I like adding the extra ground.

02-24-2020, 08:02 PM	#9
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,426	Re: Battery cable size? With low voltage like 6-volt, any excessive resistance in the line will reduce the voltage enough to kill its effectiveness. 1 AWG cable would be the norm for 6-volt but anything larger would just be extra insurance. For a longer run of cable, larger AWG cable size would be necessary. Size depends on actual length of run. The FAA has a cable size chart in there Advisory Circular AC43.13-1B chapter 11. A person can read this document on the FAA.gov web site.

02-25-2020, 07:59 AM	#10
Flyboy1st Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 63	Re: Battery cable size? Extra grounds are one of the keys to a healthy electrical system. I run grounds from all of the frame parts, the old frames trend to corrode between the parts that are riveted together like the cross members and engine mounts, if you ever disassembled a frame you know what I mean. I run a #2 gauge cable from the battery frame ground to the starter mount bolt, makes a big difference. Small gauge with eyelets, 14 gauge, are good for the side rails to crossmembers.

02-25-2020, 08:54 AM	#12
Roxo Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Kankakee, Illinois Posts: 225	Re: Battery cable size? Great Info guys. I never thought about jumping a ground across the frame joints. It looks like it's back to the hardware store. Thanks for the pic Bob.