Battery cables Is there an aftermarket upgrade?

jrsavoie · **Posted:** Mon Dec 14, 2015 2:43 pm

The clamps suck and the battery cables could be bigger.

Is there anyplace to buy a better set of cables?

I use a dual post 800+ CCA like I use on the 6.5 diesels. I added a ground from the side post to the block. I don't know where the OEM ground to block attaches.

I plan to add another cable to the starter the next time I am down there. I've noticed on a lot of other vehicles that bigger cables help a lot.

PALiftedKK · **Posted:** Mon Dec 14, 2015 8:54 pm

make your own... :google:

jrsavoie · **Posted:** Tue Dec 15, 2015 1:42 am

PALiftedKK wrote:

make your own... :google:

To many projects! Ain't got time for that. Unless I have to. Then I make time for what ever I can get done that has to be done. I have 5 vehicles here that need worked on. I have to pick what I will make time for and what is easier and cheaper to farm out

PALiftedKK · **Posted:** Tue Dec 15, 2015 5:43 pm

making cables other then time buying them takes less then 15 minutes if you have no electrical knowledge... thats the time meaking them, removing the old ones, and installing.

jrsavoie · **Posted:** Wed Dec 16, 2015 5:08 pm

PALiftedKK wrote:

making cables other then time buying them takes less then 15 minutes if you have no electrical knowledge... thats the time meaking them, removing the old ones, and installing.

Huh?

thermorex · **Posted:** Wed Dec 16, 2015 11:14 pm

He's saying to go get some gauge 1 cables, cut them to size and put the correct desired terminals on them. You only waste less than 30 minutes and do exactly what you want.

jrsavoie · **Posted:** Thu Dec 17, 2015 9:52 am

thermorex wrote:

He's saying to go get some gauge 1 cables, cut them to size and put the correct desired terminals on them. You only waste less than 30 minutes and do exactly what you want.

It'd take me an hour and 1/2 just to go buy cable. LOL I make my own cables when I need to. I fill the ends with melted solder and then stick the cable in. If I have somebody there to keep the end warm, I give it a crimp or 2. Otherwise the solder is more than sufficient. I've never had an issue with and uncrimped soldered end.

Where is the best place to buy battery cable?

wHAT IS A GOOD SIZE FOR THE 6.5 DIESELS? 2/0 ?

thermorex · **Posted:** Thu Dec 17, 2015 1:07 pm

jrsavoie wrote:

thermorex wrote:

He's saying to go get some gauge 1 cables, cut them to size and put the correct desired terminals on them. You only waste less than 30 minutes and do exactly what you want.

It'd take me an hour and 1/2 just to go buy cable. LOL I make my own cables when I need to. I fill the ends with melted solder and then stick the cable in. If I have somebody there to keep the end warm, I give it a crimp or 2. Otherwise the solder is more than sufficient. I've never had an issue with and uncrimped soldered end.

Where is the best place to buy battery cable?

wHAT IS A GOOD SIZE FOR THE 6.5 DIESELS? 2/0 ?

I do the same thing, solder w/o crimping as it's pointless. You can go on amazon or eBay and look for your desired gauge, I believe for a short length a 4ga would be enough, but a 2ga or 1ga would be even better.

What matters is how many amps you want your cable to be rated for. As thicker the wire as more amps will hold without heating. You can't go wrong with 0ga, but it may be expensive and harder to bent.

jws84_02 · **Posted:** Thu Dec 17, 2015 2:02 pm

1/0 should be plenty for any application. And for the love of God, get ofc and not cca wire. Ofc is rated to handle 300 amps at 20ft length and will never corrode. Usually your cheapest will be welding wire. Royal excelene is the brand I use a lot with stereos

95Z28A4 · **Joined:** Sun Mar 30, 2014 9:53 am **Posts:** 297

jrsavoie wrote:

thermorex wrote:

WHAT IS A GOOD SIZE FOR THE 6.5 DIESELS? 2/0 ?

I use 2/0 gauge cables with two 1000 CCA group 31 Interstate batteries in my 1998 Dodge Cummins 12 valve.

95Z28A4 · **Joined:** Sun Mar 30, 2014 9:53 am **Posts:** 297

jws84_02 wrote:

1/0 should be plenty for any application. And for the love of God, get ofc and not cca wire. Ofc is rated to handle 300 amps at 20ft length and will never corrode. Usually your cheapest will be welding wire. Royal excelene is the brand I use a lot with stereos

Just an FYI for those who aren't aware:
CCA = copper clad aluminum.
OFC = oxygen free copper

In my opinion, CCA is low cost junk.

jrsavoie · **Posted:** Sun Dec 20, 2015 9:46 pm

95Z28A4 wrote:

jrsavoie wrote:

thermorex wrote:

WHAT IS A GOOD SIZE FOR THE 6.5 DIESELS? 2/0 ?

I use 2/0 gauge cables with two 1000 CCA group 31 Interstate batteries in my 1998 Dodge Cummins 12 valve.

That is what i was thinking for the 6.5 I was just going to check the cables I have here from Raceday Mechanic. If I am going to stock battery cable - it will only be one size. So I will want to cover the bigger applications.

Just an FYI for those who aren't aware:
CCA = copper clad aluminum.
OFC = oxygen free copper

In my opinion, CCA is low cost junk. - X2

Battery cables Is there an aftermarket upgrade?

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