What is this wire for ?
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
What is this wire for ?
Have an all original '76. Replacing the ORIGINAL negative battery cable, which is just 1 heavy cable. However, the replacements for a '76 from both common internet suppliers shows a smaller gauge wire also coming out of the terminal connection. Why, when my original cable does not? What is the smaller wire suposed to connect to?? I guess I can just coil it up and wrap it unused.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Define "common internet suppliers." Sounds like you have the wrong cable. Try Willcox for a correct one. Some automtovie parts places can make a new cable for you if you have the original to use as a guide.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Maybe should have said "common Covette suppliers" ...Ecklers and Mid-America. I would think they should know something about such parts. I'll look at Wilcox, ...but still curious what the heck that wire is supposed to attach to.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,050
Likes: 124
From: Wichita KS
Have an all original '76. Replacing the ORIGINAL negative battery cable, which is just 1 heavy cable. However, the replacements for a '76 from both common internet suppliers shows a smaller gauge wire also coming out of the terminal connection. Why, when my original cable does not? What is the smaller wire suposed to connect to?? I guess I can just coil it up and wrap it unused.
I guess that rather than having to make and stock a unique 1982 part, the manufacturers chose to make a service replacement applicable to several years.
Terrorizing Orange Cones
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,572
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From: Northern CO
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 222
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From: penngrove ca
Seems like every battery cable I've replaced the last few years has that extra wire say #14 with a butt connector on the end regardless of purveyor. I'm guessing it's to allow a simple connection to the battery without having to use the nut/bolt directly to the battery post.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
If that is the negative cable from the battery, then the 'pigtail' on the other end is to hook to some accessory that requires a ground (ie, radio, sound system, BBQ grill 
whatever). If you don't have an accessory to connect it to, you could just cut it off or feed it back into the battery box and wind it up until you have a need for it.
whatever). If you don't have an accessory to connect it to, you could just cut it off or feed it back into the battery box and wind it up until you have a need for it.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
I'm not saying I know this for sure but when I bought my battery disconnect switch it came with a small wire (with in line fuse) as well.
The purpose of that wire is so you could disconnect the battery with the switch and use the small wire for a little power to maintain the clock and radio stations. The fuse in the wire is so light that if there was a short in the car it would trip the fuse way before a wiring fire could ever be started. Since I switch off the battery every time I leave the car it wouldn't be impractical to reset everything again so I just leave the clock and radio unset. The extra wire is hanging on a hook in the garage.
That seems like a better option than using this gizmo to maintain radio & clock settings.
The purpose of that wire is so you could disconnect the battery with the switch and use the small wire for a little power to maintain the clock and radio stations. The fuse in the wire is so light that if there was a short in the car it would trip the fuse way before a wiring fire could ever be started. Since I switch off the battery every time I leave the car it wouldn't be impractical to reset everything again so I just leave the clock and radio unset. The extra wire is hanging on a hook in the garage.
That seems like a better option than using this gizmo to maintain radio & clock settings.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 336
Likes: 1
From: Asheville N.C.
If that is the negative cable from the battery, then the 'pigtail' on the other end is to hook to some accessory that requires a ground (ie, radio, sound system, BBQ grill whatever). If you don't have an accessory to connect it to, you could just cut it off or feed it back into the battery box and wind it up until you have a need for it.
whatever). If you don't have an accessory to connect it to, you could just cut it off or feed it back into the battery box and wind it up until you have a need for it.
It's always there if you need it further down the road.
Ed
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 402
Likes: 1
From: Medford NJ
