Thread: what size battery cable should I run???

Tweet

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

I use 1/0, and get it at a marine supply store. The sell it by the foot, as well as the appropriate ends.

Don

.....Thanks Don, I checked with West Marine & the 1/0 gauge battery cable is $13.69 a foot! Does this sound right? I'm putting my battery in a sealed box in the trunk plus installing a Flaming River cut off switch. So I figure I'll need about 11 feet of cable which comes to $150 + tax. Is this cable that much better than regular automotive cable? It sounded like it was way more durable & resistant to the elements than the auto cable. So I'll go for it if it makes a difference.... What's your opinion? Thanks again, Bill

I worked for West Marine for years, and ever since they bought out Boat U/S, they evidently feel they have no competition, so the sky is the limit. Their prices have all gotten ridiculous IMO.

I just phoned a local marine store, the Marine Trading Post, and their price is $6.50 a foot. That is the kind of store you are looking for. Most larger cities have these kinds of places. West Marine and Boaters World have become places that only want to sell stuff in prepackaged boxes, and who do not mind marking stuff up significantly.

Don

I run mine under my seat and use #1 and them moved it into my bed with a homemade battery holder and the #1 still woked OK.

You can find it on e-bay but beware some guys are selling some crapy wire. Dont forget to upgrade your negative cables also, you know batt. to body,batt. to motor, motor to frame, frame to body. I did this after reading about it and my voltage went up a extra 1.5 volts.....

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

I just phoned a local marine store, the Marine Trading Post, and their price is $6.50 a foot. That is the kind of store you are looking for. Most larger cities have these kinds of places. West Marine and Boaters World have become places that only want to sell stuff in prepackaged boxes, and who do not mind marking stuff up significantly.

Don

.....Don, well after calling numerous Boat Supply places in my area I did a search for 'Marine Trading Post' in your city, Florida. Yep, the place came up & I was just about ready to call them to order {free shipping for all orders over $100 dollars!}. But then I found one more place & they had the 1/0 for $8.60 a foot. I figured this was close enough so I got 12 feet of it {Marine grade cables}, two battery terminal ends, 5 'other type' ends {the ends that'll go on the starter & the Flaming River cut off switch}, a cool little 'gizmo' that crimps the end of the battery terminal ends & some rubber shrink stuff to insulate the ends....

THANKS Everyone for all your help! Bill