4010 Diesel 12v battery cable size?

Hey guys! So just finishing up going over the electrical on this 4010 diesel. It has been converted to 12v with two of the long skinny batteries, which are new. Everything seems to be working just fine, but I do have one question.

The positive battery cables are currently different​ sizes with the longer cable being smaller.

Shouldn't they be equally​ sized? Or even having the longer cable a larger size? If that's the case, I want to get them replaced so I'm not drawing more from one battery than the other. What would be the ideal size?

Thanks!
 
Starter can draw around 400 amps @ 9 volts. It is all about cable length and keeping voltage-drop below 5%. 2 feet with # 4 copper is 5 % 3 feet with # 2 copper is 4.8% 4 feet - # 1 copper is 5% 5 feet - # 1/0 copper is 5%

You cannot have "too big." Just too small
 
I cant say from here how its configured, I'm assuming two of the long skinny side mounted "12 volt" batteries right???

So, is it connected:

a) Two twelve volt batteries essentially in parallel each having their own individual POS cable connected to a single
common 12 volt starter/solenoid post (when you say "cables" plural that makes me suspect this configuration orrrrrrrr

b) Two 12 volt batteries in parallel joined by a common connection tie cable + to + with one cable from only one battery + to
the starter/solenoid???

If its my preference (a), I would want BOTH cables be the same size and length (same I x R voltage drop) and 1/0 as the
minimum but 00 even better for cold winter starts.

If its (b) (NOT my preference) Id want as large as reasonably possible for the common + to + connection cable, and 00 or better yet bigger from the one battery + to the starter/solenoid. With current flowing through a resistive battery cable there is an I x R voltage drop which is best to minimize therefore leaving most voltage for the starter and the better balanced the better chances each battery contributes equal currents to the load. In the (a) wiring each cable only carries that batteries current but in B that one cable from one battery to the starter/solenoid carries BOTH SO MAKE IT BIG

Note, I spoke of 0 or 00 gauge cables, sure smaller can "work" but bigger means less voltage drop.

John T
 
For cold winter diesel starting the bigger the better, even though sure smaller will still work. I like the fine stranded more flexible welding cable and for no more length then needed its not super expensive. Good quality ends, terminals and connections can be as important as cable size.

John T
 
John, connected in parallel both having its own positive cable going to the starter solenoid. I'll see about getting some 00 cables made, both the same length.
 
You still have not posted the total cable lengths. THAT alone is what determines proper size, since the max amp load and working voltage is already known.
 
Sounds good. I assume you are giving the 5 foot length as both cables combined, since that is what counts. Like a 2 1/2 foot NEG and a 2 1/2 foot POS. With 2/0 copper, and starter at full load - that results in a 3.9% drop. So when the batteries drop to 9 1/2 volts, the voltage AT that starter will be 9.1 volts (as it should be).
 

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