Installing Battery In Trunk Wire Size ?

Posted By: krw71ragtop

Installing Battery In Trunk Wire Size ? - 05/07/12 01:54 PM

What guage wire should I use for the battery mounted in the trunk ? Any other tips would be apppreciated.

I'll need 15' of wire and it's for an A-body.

Re: Installing Battery In Trunk Wire Size ? - 05/07/12 02:00 PM

I run the #0 gauge. You can also run #1 gauge. Make sure to make radius bends and attach at every 16 inches with a clamp. Also make sure to use heat shrink wrap at the terminals.
You'll have to install a shut off switch if you intend on going to the track to race.

Posted By: krw71ragtop

Re: Installing Battery In Trunk Wire Size ? - 05/07/12 02:27 PM

Quote:

I run the #0 gauge. You can also run #1 gauge. Make sure to make radius bends and attach at every 16 inches with a clamp. Also make sure to use heat shrink wrap at the terminals.
You'll have to install a shut off switch if you intend on going to the track to race.

Looks like I need to add a shut off switch and some clamps to my list. Was leaning towards the #0 wire. Thanks for the help.

Anyone else ?

Posted By: Clanton

Re: Installing Battery In Trunk Wire Size ? - 05/07/12 02:36 PM

are you talking the cable to the starter or to the alt?

Posted By: krw71ragtop

Re: Installing Battery In Trunk Wire Size ? - 05/07/12 02:44 PM

Quote:

are you talking the cable to the starter or to the alt?

The cable from the starter to the battery in the trunk.

Posted By: Crizila

Re: Installing Battery In Trunk Wire Size ? - 05/07/12 03:36 PM

Quote:

Quote:

are you talking the cable to the starter or to the alt?

The cable from the starter to the battery in the trunk.

For a 15' run 1 gauge is plenty. Don't want to carry the extra weight if you don't need to.

Posted By: Clanton

Re: Installing Battery In Trunk Wire Size ? - 05/07/12 04:07 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

are you talking the cable to the starter or to the alt?

The cable from the starter to the battery in the trunk.

For a 15' run 1 gauge is plenty. Don't want to carry the extra weight if you don't need to.

how much weight could it be 1.lb#

go pee before you get in the car.

i have a 0# cable but have more cranking demands.I have a #4 from the alt to the battery and to the power switch for fuel,fan,water...

Posted By: krw71ragtop

Re: Installing Battery In Trunk Wire Size ? - 05/07/12 05:38 PM

Quote:

I run the #0 gauge. You can also run #1 gauge. Make sure to make radius bends and attach at every 16 inches with a clamp. Also make sure to use heat shrink wrap at the terminals.
You'll have to install a shut off switch if you intend on going to the track to race.

Where do you mount the shut off switch ?

Posted By: krw71ragtop

Re: Installing Battery In Trunk Wire Size ? - 05/07/12 05:38 PM

Quote:

I run the #0 gauge. You can also run #1 gauge. Make sure to make radius bends and attach at every 16 inches with a clamp. Also make sure to use heat shrink wrap at the terminals.
You'll have to install a shut off switch if you intend on going to the track to race.

Where do you mount the shut off switch ?

Posted By: jamesc

Re: Installing Battery In Trunk Wire Size ? - 05/07/12 05:44 PM

the switch should be mounted in the back with the battery and it needs to shut the car off so there are implications with the alternator circuit so it doesn't keep the car running.

Posted By: Crazy68Dart

Re: Installing Battery In Trunk Wire Size ? - 05/07/12 06:01 PM

Quote:

the switch should be mounted in the back with the battery and it needs to shut the car off so there are implications with the alternator circuit so it doesn't keep the car running.

What he said...

I am running 1 gauge.

Posted By: krw71ragtop

Re: Installing Battery In Trunk Wire Size ? - 05/07/12 06:37 PM

Quote:

the switch should be mounted in the back with the battery and it needs to shut the car off so there are implications with the alternator circuit so it doesn't keep the car running.

Would you have a wiring diagram of this whole modification ? Sounds like it's starting to get complicated !

Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: Installing Battery In Trunk Wire Size ? - 05/07/12 07:55 PM

Quote:

Quote:

the switch should be mounted in the back with the battery and it needs to shut the car off so there are implications with the alternator circuit so it doesn't keep the car running.

Would you have a wiring diagram of this whole modification ? Sounds like it's starting to get complicated !

The simplest way to do this is to run the alt output
wire to the back and hook it up to the battery side
of the master shut off switch... that will kill it

Posted By: Bad340fish

Re: Installing Battery In Trunk Wire Size ? - 05/07/12 08:05 PM

I am running a 2 gauge wire for the starter and another 2 guage wire to my distribution panel. Seems to be adequate, I have had zero trouble from either side. I run a ford solenoid in the trunk so the starter wire is only hot when the starter button is pushed.

Between moving the starter solenoid to the trunk and having my relay panel inside the car it really took a bunch of wires out of the engine compartment.

Posted By: jamesc

Re: Installing Battery In Trunk Wire Size ? - 05/07/12 08:29 PM

Quote:

The simplest way to do this is to run the alt output
wire to the back and hook it up to the battery side
of the master shut off switch... that will kill it

that is the least complicated but it leaves the alternator output line hot at all times. personally i would use a two pole battery switch and use the second pair of small terminals to control the field with a relay assuming it's not a single wire. if it has a field line you can use a relay with a small line from the two pole switch to run the relay. i know it sounds complicated to people not familiar with electrical but it's rather simple. what type of alternator are you using?

here's an example of what type of switch i mentioned

Posted By: fullmetaljacket

Re: Installing Battery In Trunk Wire Size ? - 05/08/12 12:04 AM

I have my cut off switch installed on the back valance panel near the License plate just below the trunk lid. This is on a early B-Body now. Because of its double agent life as a street/strip car, the switch is mounted discreetly but yet visible for an emergency by track officials or fellow racers that know where to look for it more or less.
Remember, that the switch has to have visible ON/OFF markings on the body panel that it is attached to.

Posted By: Clanton

Re: Installing Battery In Trunk Wire Size ? - 05/08/12 12:19 AM

Quote:

I have my cut off switch installed on the back valance panel near the License plate just below the trunk lid. This is on a early B-Body now. Because of its double agent life as a street/strip car, the switch is mounted discreetly but yet visible for an emergency by track officials or fellow racers that know where to look for it more or less.
Remember, that the switch has to have visible ON/OFF markings on the body panel that it is attached to.

it would be funny to have a license plate saying on off and have the switch under it.well funny to me anyways.

Posted By: krw71ragtop

Re: Installing Battery In Trunk Wire Size ? - 05/08/12 02:30 AM

Thanks for all the input. This modification is going to be more work and expense than I thought it would. But done the right way I suppose would be worth it. I realize it's for safety reasons, but I'm just trying to lighten the front end up some more. I'm at the point where I have to decide if this is going to be a race car or street car.

Race track rules are really slowing me down if you know what I mean !

I could still switch to manual steering, and change the stock alternater too loose a few pounds. Putting a kill switch on the tail panel kind of gives away that granny car look.

Thanks again for all the comments from everyone. I've learned a lot from it and now understand what needs to be done when the time comes.

Posted By: fullmetaljacket

Re: Installing Battery In Trunk Wire Size ? - 05/08/12 04:08 AM

Take an afternoon to study the rear end facade of the car and invent a sneaky way to install the set up. Lots of guys have installed the set up in a unique way that doesn't give away the look. You would have to look hard to find my install in the scope of things.
Taking weight off or displacing weight like in your case is a benefit your car and wallet will love in the long term.
Weight off a car is better than throwing more cubic power dollars at it.

My friends all steel A-body with a small block is in the 2900 lbs range with a full interior and all. We worked it to a degree and can still go further south in the weight department, but his madness isn't as severe as mine.

Posted By: therocks

Re: Installing Battery In Trunk Wire Size ? - 05/08/12 12:50 PM

I agree 1 gauge at minimum.0 gauge is better for bot ground and hot.For the alt bun 10 or 8 gauge.If you have to worry about the little weight from 1 to 0 you need a bigger motor.Rocky

Posted By: Twin Turbo Mower

Re: Installing Battery In Trunk Wire Size ? - 05/08/12 01:58 PM

https://www.cloudelectric.com/default.asp

I just bought some 2/0 guage fromt his place.

Look at the ev welding cable. More flexable then std wire.

Posted By: Crizila

Re: Installing Battery In Trunk Wire Size ? - 05/08/12 03:00 PM

Quote:

I'm at the point where I have to decide if this is going to be a race car or street car.

Know that feeling! Last November I was racing a car that weighted well over 3900 lbs. I am now racing the same car at 3425 lbs. I need to have an attic sale

. I'm still suffering from weight loss aholic withdrawl symptoms - ( weight difference between 0 and 1 gauge wire

Posted By: jamesc

Re: Installing Battery In Trunk Wire Size ? - 05/08/12 03:18 PM

this is how i mounted the switch in my dart, the 1/4 stainless rod comes out the bumper jack slot

Attached picture 7197068-IMG_1929(Large).JPG

Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: Installing Battery In Trunk Wire Size ? - 05/08/12 03:40 PM

Quote:

Quote:

I'm at the point where I have to decide if this is going to be a race car or street car.

Know that feeling! Last November I was racing a car that weighted well over 3900 lbs. I am now racing the same car at 3425 lbs. I need to have an attic sale . I'm still suffering from weight loss aholic withdrawl symptoms - ( weight difference between 0 and 1 gauge wire !)

I would rather over kill on wiring than have the
AMP/voltage loss... if the volts are up it MIGHT
make more power to cover up the weight gain...JMO

Posted By: RobX4406

Re: Installing Battery In Trunk Wire Size ? - 05/08/12 04:51 PM

Based on ship weight from Grainger on 100ft, 2/0, 1/0 and 1 gauge wire. The weight per foot on each is:

2/0 = .49
1/0 = .39
1 = .31

So a 10 foot run of each wire won't vary more than about 2 pounds. Not real significant.

Posted By: Crizila

Re: Installing Battery In Trunk Wire Size ? - 05/08/12 05:09 PM

Quote:

Based on ship weight from Grainger on 100ft, 2/0, 1/0 and 1 gauge wire. The weight per foot on each is:

2/0 = .49
1/0 = .39
1 = .31

So a 10 foot run of each wire won't vary more than about 2 pounds. Not real significant.

True, I checked it - but if you are using #0 welding cable, the weight difference will be significant.

Posted By: RobX4406

Re: Installing Battery In Trunk Wire Size ? - 05/08/12 05:16 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Based on ship weight from Grainger on 100ft, 2/0, 1/0 and 1 gauge wire. The weight per foot on each is:

2/0 = .49
1/0 = .39
1 = .31

So a 10 foot run of each wire won't vary more than about 2 pounds. Not real significant.

True, I checked it - but if you are using #0 welding cable, the weight difference will be significant.

That is welding cable weights.

http://www.engineersedge.com/copper_wire.htm

I'll still take a heavier fine strand wire that weighs 4# per 10 ft than save some weight on a 2.5# per 10 ft inferior wire.