Battery Cable Clarification

In Ocober 2017, a group here was discussing the need for larger battery cables for 6-volt systems. I took was Jim (Janicholson) said to heart when he posted, "Battery cables need to be 0 gauge."

So I've looked for them. At a local welding supply house, the guy showed me his display: From smallest to largest, the cables were labeled #4, #2, #1, #1/0, #2/0 and #4/0. I assume the 0 gauge Jim talks about is the #1/0. Jim, is that right? The guy in the store did not seem to relate to "0 gauge."

Could you confirm this, Jim? I'd feel a lot better if you did.

Also, does anyone know where I could find the terminal ends--the type where you drop in some solder pellets, heat them, and secure the cables in that way? I don't want to screw around with nuts/bolts/clamping type.

Thanks! David
 
I get terminal ends at NAPA, they have different sizes for different sized cables. you can also get a solder "pellet" for them if you don't have solder at home. works but exensive
 
My local O'Reilly's has 0 and 00 cables and crimp on or solder on ends for the lug and bolt on ends for the battery I made up a set of 0 cables for my IH584
 
Our local industrial electrical supply house has BOTH the cable and the solder or crimp or bolt on terminals. Our Interstate Battery Supplier has cables of all sizes and connectors and will even crimp them on for you. For 6 volt systems I prefer 0 (that's one ought) or 00 gauge cables also and the bigger the cable the less the line voltage drop...??.

John T
 
On 6 volt, I use only 2/0. Never have any wire problems. The place where I get my starters, generators and alternatives fixed also says use 2/0.
 
what u want is the 2/0 cable which is 5/8 " thick which is plenty for any 6 volt system. I just made a couple sets for my 6 volt w9 and w4 tractors with this size out of 600 volt copper welding cable. the 4/0 is actually too big and you need the big heavy duty ends, it is 3/4 " thick pretty bulky stuff. I am including the insulation in those measurements. it is actually for long welding cables. I buy my ends at napa and they are the solder on ones. those clamping bolt type are cheap junk.
 
Any place that sells the cable should have the ends for you. At least for the bolt on the starter and the ground. Most truck parts houses would have the solder on clamp ends for the cables if nobody else has them.
 

Original battery cables for a Farmall H were 2 gauge. Going to 1 gauge is a big improvement and will deliver everything the battery has. 0 or 00 gauge is overkill and completely unnecessary.
 
Those "fractional" gauges, the first number is how many "aughts" are in the gauge, and the 0 is the "aught."

1/0 is "one-aught" or 0.
2/0 is "two-aught" or 00.
and so on and so forth... Whether correct or incorrect, the two terms are used interchangeably by regular folks.
 
(quoted from post at 11:06:18 07/16/19) Those "fractional" gauges, the first number is how many "aughts" are in the gauge, and the 0 is the "aught."

1/0 is "one-aught" or 0.
2/0 is "two-aught" or 00.
and so on and so forth... Whether correct or incorrect, the two terms are used interchangeably by regular folks.

Numbers get smaller as the cable gets bigger. O gauge is bigger than 1 gauge. 1 gauge is bigger than 2 gauge, etc. Many 12 volt systems use 4 gauge, or even 6 gauge.
 
yes as big as it gets, that's 3/4 " cable. goes- 1/0, 2/0, 3/0, and biggest 4/0. 4/0 good for 600 amps . rigs use this cable when they have to run battery cables a distance in the generators. usually 2/0 cable though. plus its a welding cable also.
 
I suspect if someone local has cable lugs/terminals etc. that you like, you would know that and therefore I have to conclude no one in your area carries them. If so, Del City in Wisconsin carries all that stuff. Go on line and buy.
 
(quoted from post at 22:20:26 07/16/19)
(quoted from post at 12:29:47 07/16/19)
Numbers get smaller as the cable gets bigger.

Right, until you get to 0, or 1/0. Then the number of zeros gets bigger.

Is 4 ought as big as they go, or do they go bigger?

4/0 is the biggest normally sold battery cable. Unless you are tying to start a diesel locomotive on 6 volts I can't see the need for anything bigger than that!
 

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