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Thread: Replacement battery cables

  1. #1
    Some Boost
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    Replacement battery cables

    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
    1984 Mercury Capri RS
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  2. #2
    Some Boost
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    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.

  3. #3
    Red Captain MikeFleming's Avatar
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    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.
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  4. #4
    Some Boost TheSVOTrust's Avatar
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    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.


  5. #5
    Some Boost
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    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/custo...nline_form.php

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

    Thanks,

    Chris
    1984 Mercury Capri RS
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  6. #6
    Moderator Meotchh's Avatar
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    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.
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  7. #7
    Some Boost Under Pressure's Avatar
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    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.

  8. #8
    Some Boost
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    Thanks. What gauge for the small wire that comes off the negative cable and goes to the fender?
    1984 Mercury Capri RS
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  9. #9
    Moderator Meotchh's Avatar
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    That should be 10AWG.
    There's nothing more to see here, now move along...

  10. #10
    Some Boost Under Pressure's Avatar
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    The little wire looks like a 12 or 14

  11. #11
    Some Boost
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    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...spx?zpid=29340
    - suck it up and buy another one?

    Thanks,

    Chris
    1984 Mercury Capri RS
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  12. #12
    Half Boost
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    I think I would suck it up and get another one with the right size wire.

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