What size welding cable

marcusoverholtzer · Apr 1, 2017

What size for making battery cables? Thanks

kcm.MN · Apr 1, 2017

Are you asking what size welding cable to use to make a longer battery cable? If so, depends on size of battery, load (starting amps), and length of run.

Adirondack case guy · Apr 1, 2017

I have made them from 00. Worked great for 40 years. The hinge pins in the clamps wore out though.

marcusoverholtzer · Apr 1, 2017

I AMA making brand new ones all the way. Converting to 12
volts

Janicholson · Apr 1, 2017

On your JD, any longer than 2' need to be 00 gauge If shorter, could be 0 gauge. Nothing smaller will crank it well. Use soldered on copper ends, not just crimped on. Jim

rustyfarmall · Apr 1, 2017

(quoted from post at 12:04:35 04/01/17) I AMA making brand new ones all the way. Converting to 12
volts

12 volt does not require the same size as the original 6 volt. In most cases, a 12 volt system needs only 4 gauge or maybe even as small as 6 gauge. For your conversion, 2 gauge would be more than adequate. Go to 00 if you want to, but it would be way overkill.

John T · Apr 1, 2017

My old rule of thumb for 6 volts was at least 0 but 00 better. For 12 volts 1 and 0 was better. NOTE HOWEVER in cases where I used 12 volts on an old 6 volt starter I used purposely smaller cables to reduce the hard shock on the starter and starter drive.

John T

showcrop · Apr 1, 2017

When you solder them on be sure to use rosin core solder for electrical work, not acid core plumbing solder. The acid will wick up the wire and attack the cable under the insulation.

Janicholson · Apr 1, 2017

He is doing a 4020 JD that was 24 volt split decision electric, going to 12v with a 12v starter. It needs the amps. Jim

gene bender · Apr 1, 2017

There is cable just meant for that at truch places NAPA ect which is better that welding cable

Dune Country · Apr 1, 2017

When current travels through the cable it travels on the outside of the strands.
That being said, welding cable would be better than the less stranded batt cable of the same size.

WGM · Apr 1, 2017

Only AC voltage travels on the exterior. DC voltage uses the entire wire.

Dune Country · Apr 1, 2017

Thanks WGM, learned something new today

JMOR · Apr 1, 2017

(quoted from post at 19:40:54 04/01/17) Only AC voltage travels on the exterior. DC voltage uses the entire wire.

nd that only begins at fairly high frequencies of AC.

Schoolman · Apr 1, 2017

I have some copper ends that I have not tried. They have a pellet that you melt and then stick the cable in. Any need to crimp them too? What would you use to melt the pellet?

Part Time Pete · Apr 1, 2017

I use 2/0. There's a local diesel/truck outfit that make them up custom
Pete

matthies · Apr 1, 2017

Local shop was using the pellets. Problem is if you have to crank longer than usual, you will melt the solder and loose connection. Crimp, then solder with rosin core, and heat shrink.

John T · Apr 2, 2017

Whats called the "skin effect" where more current flows in the outer perimeter of a conductor is in high frequency applications as I best recall

John T

rustyfarmall · Apr 2, 2017

(quoted from post at 15:51:40 04/01/17) He is doing a 4020 JD that was 24 volt split decision electric, going to 12v with a 12v starter. It needs the amps. Jim

He should have mentioned that in the posting. Big difference between a 4020 diesel and an original 6 volt Farmall M.

What size welding cable

marcusoverholtzer

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kcm.MN

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Adirondack case guy

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marcusoverholtzer

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Janicholson

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John T

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