Search the Community

I‘m afraid I may have gone a bit afar afield for the original topic as introduced by “cruz” – “Hard Starting In Cold Weather...217 Spark Upgrades For Better Starting”. I certainly didn’t intend to dilute the contents of his topic, but I probably did, and I apologize to cruz for that. I’m new to this forum stuff, so sorry to anyone else who may have taken exception. That isn’t an excuse, just an explanation. So, that’s why I tho’t it best to start a new topic, based upon my initial question, which was about the size the battery cables should be in our car ('46 Plymouth Special Deluxe Club Coupe). I wish there was a “Reader’s Digest” version, but unfortunately, there isn’t, so I’ll have to present the Encyclopedia Britannica version (sorry . . .): Recapping: it isn't particularly hard starting. however (here’s where I wandered afield . . .), what’s the proper/appropriate gauge cable for the cables from the battery? The car is 6v negative ground. It was that way when we got it. I'm not sure if it was that way originally (altho' I rather doubt it was . . .), if it was switched deliberately (who knows), or if it was switched by accident. In any case, I'm not inclined to switch it back to positive ground. I've rewired is using a Ron Francis "Get It Running" harness, specifically designed for 6v systems. While the gauge of the wiring is smaller, I'm assured by Ron Francis that since the amperage of the individual systems well within the wire's capacity, so it won't be problem, and they've never had anyone report any overloading problems. Also, I went from a single fuse, to a fuse block with several fuses. I have a suspicion the battery cables are 12v cables (as it turns out – they are), and based on what I'm reading here, are most likely too small, and may be restricting sufficient electric flow to the starter. Remarks????? Dave72dt replied with the following: 12 v battery cables are typically 4 gauge. 6V cable should be 1, or 0 is even better. Smaller gauge numbers on wire means heavier wire, 10 gauge being a heavier, thicker wire than 14 or 16 for example, 0 is heavier than 1 gauge. I then answered: As a follow-up to your comment re: 1 gauge, or 0 gauge – I’m not sure, but that sounds pretty big to me. However, if that's what it takes, then that's what it takes. Some of questions for you about this, tho' – 1) Approximately how big is that gauge (¼”, ½”); 2) Should those larger cables be between the battery and the solenoid, the solenoid and the starter, or both; 3) Should it also go from the battery ground (negative post, in my case) and the engine (where it is currently); and, 4) Use a covered cable for the ground vs the braided type? Dave72dt then provided me the following answers: 1) 1 gauge will be about 1/2 inch in diameter, 0 a bit larger and my personal choice, 00 is about 3/4 inch in diameter; 2) Both; 3) Yes; and 4) Doesn’t need to be, but if you need one made for a specific length, covered would be my choice. Also doesn’t expose the wire to corrosion. Dave72dt – I took the three cables I need to replace with me, and went the auto parts store where I have an account. He confirmed that the ones I had were 4 gauge, as you correctly suspected. He had 000, which is huge! He said they use it in semi-tractors, and heavy construction equipment. I think that’s overkill for my application. He had 2 gauge there, which he’s using in his own 6v car. He doesn’t keep either 1, 0, of 00 gauge, in stock, but can get it in a few days, but the cost was higher than the 2 gauge, since he’ll also have to get the end fittings to fit the larger cable, as well. He also stated that the difference between 2 and 1, or 1 and 0, or 0 and 00, isn’t that dramatic, and the reduction in amperage capacity is negligible. Given the comments from you, and from him, I elected to go with the 2 gauge set-up. Comments???