Car Batteries and Relocation Kit's Q&A

[TERRA Operative]

I used 0 gauge cable in my Levin. My starter pulls a measured 250A on cold start, so I went with the biggest cable to make sure I won't have a problem. 2 years on and it's fine.

Also, where in Queensland are you? If you can get down to Brisbane Southside, I can crimp your cables properly for you. Being an electrician, I have access to a crimper that will do up to 120mm^2 cable... (that's 0000 gauge cable )

Crimper:




Crimped Lugs:



(Ignore the ocky strap. A custom alloy box is in the works...)

[LeaThaL]

thanks for the input fellas,

TERRA, im on the northside up sunny coast almost but i do make random trips over that way so when i do i might take advantage of your offer and check your setup, cheers!

and TAKAI, yeah ill prob run another wire soon enought as i do want the car to be nicely juiced up, another 90 down the pisser but it will be worth it after all the money ive spent on this thing so far, i could of bought a thiner dry cell battery but atleast the battery is filling the spot where the old computer use to sit in the boot

MWP, i was very curious as to if i could run a seperate wire to power the fuse box and the starter as i ran the wire i have now straight to the started and just soldered and taped the fuse in using a spare piece of wire i had left from the alternator power extension, im starting to think thats even too small

thanks again fellas

[TERRA Operative]

No worries, just shoot us a message a few days before the next time you're down, and I'll be sure to grab the crimper.

[Cuts]

could you run say 0 guage direct from your battery to the starter, then 4 guage from the starter to the fuse box? or would the draw on start up fuck up the power that you want at the fuses?

[TERRA Operative]

As long as the 4 gauge is thick enough for the power draw for the rest of the car, it will work the same as if it went to the fuse box then to the starter.

[Cuts]

yeah i was just thinking thats an option insted of running two cables the legnth of the car

[MWP]

could you run say 0 gauge direct from your battery to the starter, then 4 guage from the starter to the fuse box? or would the draw on start up fuck up the power that you want at the fuses?

Yeah you could.
I ran welding cable from the battery to the engine bay, then split that into two 4 gauge cables. One to the fuse box, the other to the starter.
It works fine.

Using two cables like mentioned above is the better way of doing it.
I didnt do it that way as i already had a length of welding cable ready to be used.

My battery box with Jaycar 100A breaker and cutoff switch:


Welding cable to two 4 gauge cables connection in the engine bay:

[LeaThaL]

yeah i think next pay i pay invest in a 2nd wire, that way i have 500amps to share around prob a good thing too if i get a 100amp breaker just incase the one up front doesnt do the job

ive used what i think is around 6-7 gauge wire to go from alternator to the orignal point, will that cope or had once again, a "professional" fucked me around?

[TERRA Operative]

Well 2 gauge is rated at 225 amps, and the starter on my 4AGZE pulls that, so I would say yea, yours is too small.....


http://www.the12volt.com/wiring/recwirsz.asp

[MWP]

Make sure you do install a breaker/fuse at the battery.
You have to think about what would happen if the cable wore through and touched the body somewhere.
A breaker/fuse will stop your car going up in flames.

[LeaThaL]

what did that breaker set ya back? and what it looks im going to do is just buy anyother 4 gauge like what i have now and just run it straight down as you mentioned so i have the 2 deicated lines, and im going to replace all my earths with better ones and then i will have piece of mind that its all good

thanks again for all the dudes that have given input!

[MWP]

Here: http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=SF2266