Battery Cables

glennpm said:
Hi fftoddster,

Did you actually measure the conductor diameter? Number 1 AWG is used on the 6 volt Fords and the conductor diameter is a little over a 1/4"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_wire_gauge

AWG Diameter
1 0.2893

I have the same cable in my 32 from Joe's and it is the correct gauge length and insulated well. For the rest of my cables, I made my own from welding cable and crimped on ends.

Glenn
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I did not actually measure but the new cable with insulation is smaller diameter than my old cable with no insulation.

The new cables look good with the textured welt type insulation other than they look tiny in diameter. Guessing 4 ga.
 
I have bigger cables than that on my lawn tractor. You already KNOW that stuff is too small. Get the right stuff! DD
 
Yes #4 is way to small but what does it actually measure? Lots of comments and opinions without knowing what you actually have.
 
Maybe this will help:
 

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glennpm said:
Yes #4 is way to small but what does it actually measure? Lots of comments and opinions without knowing what you actually have.
Click to expand...


The new Vintique cable measures about 3/8" including the insulation. No telling how thick that is without tearing into it.

The original cable measured about 7/16" with NO insulation. the copper strands were very fine, similar to welding cable. It had the welt insulation on it but it was falling off in chunks so I removed it, soaked the cables in phosphoric prep and etch, dried and covered with shrink tubing.

The cable off the battery the insulation was still good. Just cleaned the ends and shrink tube over the ends and end of insulation.
 
fftoddster,

Sounds like you did the right thing with your cable. I'm surprised it was so large, like 0000 AWG from the references, and good for you! Make sure you check the cable crimped ends too. Close to and within the crimp is where corrosion and sometimes brittle failure can occur.

BTW, I believe the Ford starters draw about 200 amps so AWG 1 is correct per the chart Carl posted.
 
glennpm said:
fftoddster,

Sounds like you did the right thing with your cable. I'm surprised it was so large, like 0000 AWG from the references, and good for you! Make sure you check the cable crimped ends too. Close to and within the crimp is where corrosion and sometimes brittle failure can occur.

BTW, I believe the Ford starters draw about 200 amps so AWG 1 is correct per the chart Carl posted.
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According to Rumbleseat "The starter current draw on a Ford V-8 through 1948 is 550 amps".
 
I guess the real reason of this post was my frustration.

I know I could find or have made cables that would work. I just figured that getting them through a Antique Ford Parts place that specializes in this hobby that that would be the simple way to go and get the correct size and looking cables.

It seems that the manufacturer cheeped out to cut their costs? And on something that matters.
It has been hard enough to get parts needed and then when you do get them and they are inadequate ... :( it's just frustrating.
 
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