FORD 3600 Tractor - Battery Cable Size

wpmiller9887 · Feb 11, 2019

I have a Lucas 26395F starter which is no longer manufactured. I need to replace my battery cables and the existing cable has an inscription that says 118 JW HARRIS FLEX 1/0 600 V on it, but could not find the manufacturer. The local tractor store gave me 1 GA SGR SAE J1127 and it's smaller. Should I be concerned using 1 GA instead of 1/0 GA battery cable with that starter? Thank you!

Dopp Creek · Feb 11, 2019

My 5000 diesel has 00 on the positive side and 0 on the negative. Definitely use the biggest cable you can. Not cheap, but you need them for the
high current draw when starting.

John T · Feb 11, 2019

Here's the deal, bigger cable such as say 0 Gauge yields less cable voltage drop then if smaller say 1 Gauge were used. Sure the smaller cable will still "work" even though it drops more voltage then bigger cable, but unless you need to start in extreme cold temperatures you wont notice all that much if any difference. What's as important and more is the state of charge and capacity of your battery,,,,,,,,,,,, condition of the starter,,,,,,,,,,,, condition of the starter solenoid/relay,,,,,,,,,,,,,condition and quality of all the other cables and connections and ground...??..

Sure 0 is better but also sure the smaller will still work...??

With only one size difference, unless its extreme cold, NO I wouldn't be all that concerned

See if others agree and can add to this ???

John T

sotxbill · Feb 11, 2019

Remember, its a 3 cyl 3600. Not near the load as the 4 cyl 5000 or 6 cyl diesel. Just about any cable you can buy will work on it. Factory cables were about 32 inches long for the lugs at the same end of the "4dlt" battery. If you get a regular battery with terminals at opposite ends you will need a longer negative cable.

Do not run the cable straight down and along the hood edge as it will vibrate and cut through the cable and start a fire. Run cables around and next to the gas tank to keep them from shorting as the factory cables were run.

wpmiller9887 · Feb 11, 2019

(quoted from post at 17:10:36 02/11/19)
Remember, its a 3 cyl 3600. Not near the load as the 4 cyl 5000 or 6 cyl diesel. Just about any cable you can buy will work on it. Factory cables were about 32 inches long for the lugs at the same end of the "4dlt" battery. If you get a regular battery with terminals at opposite ends you will need a longer negative cable.

Do not run the cable straight down and along the hood edge as it will vibrate and cut through the cable and start a fire. Run cables around and next to the gas tank to keep them from shorting as the factory cables were run.

Can you please send me a picture of how to run the cable? Currently, it is attached to the tractor with a dual-cable holder bracket. I don't have a photo with me at this moment, but will show you when I get home. Thank you!

wpmiller9887 · Feb 11, 2019

Thank you everyone for the replies so far, I am new to the forum and a new tractor owner. Bill

Dopp Creek · Feb 11, 2019

Too dark to take a photo tonight. With the battery tray closed, the cables would run to the left inside the hinge (between hinge and fuel tank) and
then over to the starter/solenoid.

FORD 3600 Tractor - Battery Cable Size

wpmiller9887

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Dopp Creek

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John T

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sotxbill

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wpmiller9887

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wpmiller9887

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Dopp Creek

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