Welcome! Please use the navigational links to explore our website.
PartsASAP LogoCompany Logo Auction Link (800) 853-2651

Shop Now

   Allis Chalmers Case Farmall IH Ford 8N,9N,2N Ford
   Ferguson John Deere Massey Ferguson Minn. Moline Oliver

Discussion Forum
:

Battery cable question

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register
Author 
Mike CA

03-27-2008 17:55:14




Report to Moderator

I was on the phone with a battery place today mentioning that I was getting some 1 ought cable. He said that was overkill for my tractor application, especially if I was switching to 12v. He said I could go with 2 gauge and save some money.
In here I've heard to go with nothing less than 0 gauge (1/0) or even 00 gauge (2/0).
So, what am I misunderstanding? What could I go with? What SHOULD I go with?

[Log in to Reply]   [No Email]
Pete in Holland, MI

03-28-2008 09:16:32




Report to Moderator
 Re: Battery cable question in reply to Mike CA, 03-27-2008 17:55:14  
Facts:

1) 6 volt systems require larger cables than 12 volt to get an adequate amount of current thru.

2) Larger cables cost more money.

3) Cable terminal and mounting surfaces do require maintenance from time to time to in sure they stay clean and create little resistanc.

4) 6 volt systems will work on 2, 4 & 6 gauge cables, but less efficently, and endanger your starter.

5) Starting engines in the colder months require more current. If your tractor only runs in the summer months, you can use smaller cables. If you require it to fire up in the dead of winter, you will need larger cables.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
John T

03-27-2008 19:31:09




Report to Moderator
 Re: Battery cable question in reply to Mike CA, 03-27-2008 17:55:14  
Welllll lllll, you could go with 4 Gauge light wimpy cables from Wally World n save even MORE money..... Its indeed true at 12 volts you can get by with smaller gauge cables but I dont personally consider 1 Gauge or larger (0 or 00) as OVERKILL but instead just better quality and for sure LESS VOLTAGE DROP. Thats the bottom line, the larger the cable the LESS voltage drop so pay your money n make your choice, its your tractor n your call fer sure.

best wishes

John T

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
44 massey

03-27-2008 18:32:22




Report to Moderator
 Re: Battery cable question in reply to Mike CA, 03-27-2008 17:55:14  
If you stay with 6 volt use the heavy cable!! 6volt requires more amps then 12 volt which requires bigger cable!!



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Janicholson

03-27-2008 18:32:21




Report to Moderator
 Re: Battery cable question in reply to Mike CA, 03-27-2008 17:55:14  
Mike. The issue is quality. The look and knowledge that what you are doing is both Period correct, and very functional is the point. Your tractor has cables approaching 6 or 7' including ground. This length is very poorly served by cables less than 1-O
The cables offered free from a Yter for shipping, or cables from welding repair shops (phone shopping for used 1-O cable) is the correct thinking. Keep thinking, not second guessing. JimN

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Mike CA

03-27-2008 18:26:28




Report to Moderator
 Re: Battery cable question in reply to Mike CA, 03-27-2008 17:55:14  

Tom Windsor said: I am not sure that anyone understood that you were converting to 12 volts. For the 6 volts system, you need the large wire. But for the 12 v system, you will only need a wire the same size as an ordinary battery cable on a car.


What wire were you offering? Did you ever get my e-mail? I hadn't heard back from you, so wasn't sure if you had received it.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Andy Motteberg

03-27-2008 18:17:32




Report to Moderator
 Re: Battery cable question in reply to Mike CA, 03-27-2008 17:55:14  
My H used to have 1 or 2 gage cables, but when they went bad, I bought some new 4 gage cables and they work perfectly fine, no problems. They are much cheaper too.

Andy.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
GordoSD

03-27-2008 18:11:23




Report to Moderator
 Re: Battery cable question in reply to Mike CA, 03-27-2008 17:55:14  
Go with the 1/0 and stay with the 6volt. By the way, you should check the load rating on those MC tires. It's RARE to find any that are rated for over 450 pounds. And check the date codes. They are probably way over 5 years old. You're probably riding on worn out, overage, way overloaded tires. Accident looking for a place to happen.

Gordo



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
160dan

03-27-2008 18:07:19




Report to Moderator
 Re: Battery cable question in reply to Mike CA, 03-27-2008 17:55:14  
2 gauge is what Farmall web sites say to use for battery and 10 gauge from that to ammeter and 12 all the rest of the way



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Tom Windsor

03-27-2008 18:04:39




Report to Moderator
 Re: Battery cable question in reply to Mike CA, 03-27-2008 17:55:14  
I am not sure that anyone understood that you were converting to 12 volts. For the 6 volts system, you need the large wire. But for the 12 v system, you will only need a wire the same size as an ordinary battery cable on a car.

tw



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
CNKS

03-27-2008 18:03:20




Report to Moderator
 Re: Battery cable question in reply to Mike CA, 03-27-2008 17:55:14  
I will catch flak for this but don't care. You live in CA, it is warm. If you can find 2 gauge, buy them, otherwise go to Walmart and buy 4 gauge, keep the connections clean and replace them occasionally, you will be fine. Heavy cables do the most good when you don't want to do any maintenance.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
[Options]  [Printer Friendly]  [Posting Help]  [Return to Forum]   [Log in to Reply]

Hop to:


TRACTOR PARTS TRACTOR MANUALS
We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home  |  Forums


Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy