Replacement battery cables

[ChrisCurtin]

Hi,

What is the proper length for both battery cables? I don't have originals to compare to and everything online is generic.

Also, anyone have any luck finding a negative battery cable with the eyelet and connector into the wiring harness? I suspect not, but figure I'd ask.

Thanks,

Chris

[KevinK]

Chris,

from the Ford manual,
positive e3sz-14300-a or Motorcraft wc-8540, 21" long and 4 awg.
negative to ground, e3sz-14301-a or Motorcraft wc-8541, 32" long, 4 awg with 6.5" ground wire.
As you might know original cables might go for $100 or more. There are lots of others very close.

Ron Francis Wiring was looking into making high quality replacements for Foxes.

[MikeFleming]

There are three main "battery" cables. The negative one goes from Battery (-) to one of lower bolts on the power steering pump bracket to the block.

The battery (+) terminal has a shorter cable that only goes to the hot side of the starter solenoid on the inner fender.

The switched side of the starter solenoid has a third cable that goes down across the front of the block - with a bracket that mounts to the front of the block (I would need to check but I think one of the mounts is to the AC bracket front) - and continues on to the starter motor top.

[TheSVOTrust]

NOtice also WHERE the cable goes into the LUG for the post of the battery.
Both enter from the side and the positive has the cover to prevent shorting.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e136/svo2scj/photo_zpsd4b79640.jpg (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/svo2scj/media/photo_zpsd4b79640.jpg.html)

[ChrisCurtin]

Hi,

I'm giving up on finding originals or good ones via the usual auto parts stores. All look way too fragile.

I found a place that can build new cables, for around $38 each. But I'm not positive of all the options.

Does this look right:
Positive: 4GA SGX - 21" long. Right-hand terminal on the battery. HD 5/16" lug
Negative 4GA SGX - 32 long, right hand terminal on the battery, 6.5" ground wire, HD 5/16" lug.

Questions: what gauge on the ground wire? What lug size on each of the cables?

Here is where I'm thinking about getting them: http://custombatterycables.com/custom_orders_online_form.php

Anyone have experience with these guys? Or can recommend someone else to make cables?

Thanks,

Chris

[Meotchh]

Make sure it isn't CCA (COPPER clad Aluminum) cable.

4AWG as listed above is what you want to use.

Lug hole size of 5/16" or 8mm.

[Under Pressure]

I just purchased a positive cable from Advanced Auto. The stock one was too long. The new one has a small wire off the big one that I'm running to the fan.

[ChrisCurtin]

Thanks. What gauge for the small wire that comes off the negative cable and goes to the fender?

[Meotchh]

That should be 10AWG.

[Under Pressure]

The little wire looks like a 12 or 14

[ChrisCurtin]

Well I screwed up.

When I ordered the negative cable I didn't change the gauge of the smaller wire, so I now have a 4 ga wire for the EEC harness. Totally my screw up.

Any options on what I can do?

- run it to a lug and the EEC harness to the same lug?
- 'splice it' using a splicer/reducer like this: https://www.platt.com/platt-electric-supply/Mechanical-Lugs-Aluminum-Splice-Reducing/Ilsco/SPA-2/product.aspx?zpid=29340
- suck it up and buy another one?

Thanks,

Chris

[dagenham]

I think I would suck it up and get another one with the right size wire.