smarty1972
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Hi, could sombody tell me what amperage cable would be required for a 2nd battery install.
Thanks
Thanks
Battery Cable???
- Thread starter smarty1972
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Dent
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Depends on what you want to use it for
discool
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As existing as your just linking a battery and no a heavy load like a winch, for that important thing is the load ie. max amount amps that the cable will pass plus a safety margin, this link will give some idea of whats available cable wise.
VWP - battery cables
VWP - battery cables
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smarty1972
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Cheers for responding guys, basically want to connect batteries in parallel to give me more cca's in the cold weather as i had problems starting last winter in the frosts etc. I have got two good batteries so thought i could rig them up this way to try and stop it happening again as it has already started to show the same signs now it's getting chilly in the mornings.
Graham Carter
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It would be better to fix the starting issue. First check the heater plugs. First you know that they've gone is when all 4 have failed! Then things like starter motors and earths.
If you do two batteries in parallel like this for starting, the cable ratings should be at least equal, and the longer run should have fatter cables. You'll be pulling a couple of hundred amps when starting.
You also need to remember that the alternator could go up to it's maximum rating if you flatten a battery, even if it is only for a short while, and if I remember right that's about 130 amps on a Disco.
That's a lot of power whizzing round your engine bay - get it wrong and you'll get smoke!
If you do two batteries in parallel like this for starting, the cable ratings should be at least equal, and the longer run should have fatter cables. You'll be pulling a couple of hundred amps when starting.
You also need to remember that the alternator could go up to it's maximum rating if you flatten a battery, even if it is only for a short while, and if I remember right that's about 130 amps on a Disco.
That's a lot of power whizzing round your engine bay - get it wrong and you'll get smoke!
smarty1972
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Thanks for your tips Graham, i have checked the earths etc and have recently found that the clamp that hold the negative lead onto the inner wing was loose so have tightened that up and that has sorted out my lighting problem.
starting isn't a problem until it gets towards freezing then the starter turns over really slow (about half it's normal speed) and won't turn over many times before it is just the starter solenoid that clicks so do you think it would be a starter problem, as i say normally it's ok
discool
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Battery faults will always show up in cold weather. U could have a cell thats iffy check the specific gravity for each cell if can, if u have cell caps that u can remove that is.
smarty1972
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Cheers discool, both the batteries i have are maintenance free sealed ones but will try to get them drop tested to see what that shows. Thanks for your help
Mr Noisy
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I would recommend either awg4 or awg2 cable.
Awg2 is about 10mm core, should be plenty, but can be dear if you want flexy multi strand.
Heavy duty battery cable will be fine tbh, could be easier to buy a set of decent, thick jump leads and remove the clamps and use the cable...
Cheers, sam
Awg2 is about 10mm core, should be plenty, but can be dear if you want flexy multi strand.
Heavy duty battery cable will be fine tbh, could be easier to buy a set of decent, thick jump leads and remove the clamps and use the cable...
Cheers, sam
Pikey
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I have a set of very HD rubber coated jump leads (pikied from an AA van) and they get very hot when in use for more than 30seconds. I'd get proper Battery leads if I was the OP and the thicker the better.
Mr Noisy
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Usually it's the connections at the end which get hot, but yes I do agree, buying some decent awg2 battery cable will be the safest bet
smarty1972
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Cheers guys, i had wondered if it is safe to do on a long term basis, i have also thought of putting a battery kill switch in between batteries and mounting in the cab for when 2nd battery isn't required. Not had chance to visit the garage today for drop testing the batteries.
Antichrist
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Ideally the batteries should be the same, and same age. If one is nearing end of life it can take the new one with it.
Cable size really depends on how close the batteries are together and what the max draw by the starter is.
For sizing, particularly for an electric motor, you want your overall volt drop for the run to be under 0.5v.
Cable size really depends on how close the batteries are together and what the max draw by the starter is.
For sizing, particularly for an electric motor, you want your overall volt drop for the run to be under 0.5v.
