The Ford Barn

1949mercury · 03-10-2017, 10:46 AM

If I switch to 12v do I still need 1 gauge wire for battery cables?

cas3 · 03-10-2017, 10:49 AM

plain old 4 ga. wire from your auto store is fine for 12 volts, but bigger is still better, no need to change

1949mercury · 03-10-2017, 11:10 AM

Ok thanks. Just went to Interstate Battery and had them make me a 1 gauge 16".

Cool Hand Lurker · 03-10-2017, 02:59 PM

12V wires are smaller than 6V wires because 12V will carry less amps to do the same work. So if you change from 6V to 12V all of the stock 6V wiring will be twice as good as you need.

G.M. · 03-11-2017, 08:08 AM

Twice as good is better then half as good which is what you have
when using 12 volt cable on 6 volts. Some cables sold a few years
ago was 12 volt cable with a cloth cover making them look larger.
G.M.

39portlander · 03-11-2017, 08:55 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

In regards to 12 and 6 volts, do check out the Ron Francis wiring web site. The catalog is like a book, full of valuable automotive related info.

Most importantly are your grounds, Block-Frame-Body.

Vintage Copper 47 · 03-26-2017, 11:42 PM

I used 0 gauge wire from solenoid to starter, and 1 gauge for my cables..

03-10-2017, 10:46 AM	#1
1949mercury Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Washington state Posts: 119	1 gauge wire ? If I switch to 12v do I still need 1 gauge wire for battery cables?

03-10-2017, 10:49 AM	#2
cas3 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: sw minnesota Posts: 4,571	Re: 1 gauge wire ? plain old 4 ga. wire from your auto store is fine for 12 volts, but bigger is still better, no need to change

03-10-2017, 11:10 AM	#3
1949mercury Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Washington state Posts: 119	Re: 1 gauge wire ? Ok thanks. Just went to Interstate Battery and had them make me a 1 gauge 16". Last edited by 1949mercury; 03-10-2017 at 01:10 PM.

03-10-2017, 02:59 PM	#4
Cool Hand Lurker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Minn Posts: 1,565	Re: 1 gauge wire ? 12V wires are smaller than 6V wires because 12V will carry less amps to do the same work. So if you change from 6V to 12V all of the stock 6V wiring will be twice as good as you need.

03-11-2017, 08:08 AM	#5
G.M. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida and Penna. Posts: 4,471	Re: 1 gauge wire ? Twice as good is better then half as good which is what you have when using 12 volt cable on 6 volts. Some cables sold a few years ago was 12 volt cable with a cloth cover making them look larger. G.M. __________________ www.fordcollector.com

03-11-2017, 08:55 AM	#6
39portlander Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Suth'N Maine Posts: 1,996	Re: 1 gauge wire ? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) In regards to 12 and 6 volts, do check out the Ron Francis wiring web site. The catalog is like a book, full of valuable automotive related info. Most importantly are your grounds, Block-Frame-Body.

03-26-2017, 11:42 PM	#7
Vintage Copper 47 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: The sleepy San Fernando Valley Posts: 394	Re: 1 gauge wire ? I used 0 gauge wire from solenoid to starter, and 1 gauge for my cables..