battery cables
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: loxley alabama
battery cables
Wanted to share my experience with battery cables on a well kept- low mileage (25k)- vette I bought earlier this year. After reading the warnings here on the forum I inspected the 2 main cables- cleaned all connections & all ground connections. The neg. & positive cables appeared ok so I didn't change them. Today however the motor turned over maybe 2 seconds & then nothing. Eventually found the neg. cable from the batt. to frame was so corroded I could almost tear it in half with my bare hands! A recent post mentioned Rock Auto & within a few minutes both batt. cables were on the way- about $100. Please do as advised here on this forum & really check your batt. cables. If unsure try to replace them- the pos. cable is a tough job even in an air conditioned shop (AL)- pretty much a no-can-do on a roadside. The neg. is much easier of course & that was by far the worst cable on my car. Just a reminder for those who (like myself ) might think low mileage cables should be ok. They are still 30+ years old.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 130
Likes: 1
From: Wylie TX
I just replaced mine for the same reason you mentioned. I have red and black 2 gauge cable and heat shrink tubing left over from a solar panel instal so I ordered some good crimp-on terminals and made up my owe. replacing the positive cable under jack stands in the driveway was a PITA.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
Unless you have some kind of professional crimper [for a 2 awg wire] or used a bolt/compression type of terminal, I'm not sure a 'crimped' connection will do the job needed for a starter motor. Most times, there will be no problem; but under conditions that would require abnormally high current...I would be a bit concerned. I've always soldered big terminals, when done at home--just to prevent any weak connection possibilities. Just sayin'.... 
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 130
Likes: 1
From: Wylie TX
I do have a professional crimper (greenlee electrical crimper). made several cables for a solar panel installation. A little solder melted in the terminal, insert the wire. Crimp in both locations on the terminal add heat shrink tubing and a you have a completely weatherproof seal. you cannot pull the terminal off the cable. I tried. if it is good enough for 3-phase electrical panels, it is good enough for a starter.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Good advice and important too
Wanted to share my experience with battery cables on a well kept- low mileage (25k)- vette I bought earlier this year. After reading the warnings here on the forum I inspected the 2 main cables- cleaned all connections & all ground connections. The neg. & positive cables appeared ok so I didn't change them. Today however the motor turned over maybe 2 seconds & then nothing. Eventually found the neg. cable from the batt. to frame was so corroded I could almost tear it in half with my bare hands! A recent post mentioned Rock Auto & within a few minutes both batt. cables were on the way- about $100. Please do as advised here on this forum & really check your batt. cables. If unsure try to replace them- the pos. cable is a tough job even in an air conditioned shop (AL)- pretty much a no-can-do on a roadside. The neg. is much easier of course & that was by far the worst cable on my car. Just a reminder for those who (like myself ) might think low mileage cables should be ok. They are still 30+ years old.
good write up
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 336
From: Texas
the cables from rockauto, are made by American Autowire. quality cables at a good price. actually cheaper from rockauto, than ordering from Auto wire. American Auto wire also sells alot of other wiring harnesses for vettes.
http://www.americanautowire.com/
http://www.americanautowire.com/
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
Or you could also go to a place like Tractor Supply, or any welding supply store, and they will cut to your specified length from their roll of arc welding cable which is stranded copper with a very tough outer coating.
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: some hole in the ground town- camp verde:) arizona
great info as i'll be needin to replace the neg (atleast) on mine. the wires at the terminal are frayed broken etc n the terminal is always gettin pulled off the cable. i had to wrap it in electrical tape as a temporary fix. sides that my sound system was installed wrong (straight to the battery for 2 wires bypassin the ignition switch) so for the time being i've bin disconnectin the bat every time i turn off the car.
