Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications General Mods Battery relocation wiring

I am thinking about moving my battery to the trunk. I have looked at many of the kits out there but feel that I could do it on my own for less than the kit cost. My question is on the wiring.

Currently my car appears to have 4 guage wire feeding off the battery. I know that running a distance of about 20 feet will increase the resistance meaning I might want to go with a something like 2 guage wire. I know where I can get 2 guage car audio amplifier type wire that seems to be what comes on the relocation kits. I was wondering if I can use 2 guage wire from Lowe's that is about 10 copper wires woven together rather than using the 200+ woven copper wire?

It seems that have more woven wires increases the amps it can carry but it also increases the cost. Can I get away with the cheap Lowe's wire?

I just bought a kit from Jegs for under $70. It has everything the box all the hardware wires etc. I think it's a good deal..just my .02

I wouldn't use the Lowe's stuff. Personally I am planning on using two feeds. A 2AWG and a 4AWG feed. The 4AWG will feed the under hood fusebox and the 2AWG will feed the starter/alternator. Plus this way you only need two butt splices to extend it to the trunk.

If you need battery cable for a decent price, check out Parts Express. They are about half the cost of a car stereo store. $1.85 a foot for 2AWG.

HTH,
BP

Welder's cable is great for relocating the battery. It's specifically made to run high current, is available in your desired sizes, costs about the same as battery cable, and is waaay more flexible- for those hard to route, tight spaces. IIRC, the summit kit (~$50) comes with it for the + cable.

buy some 4 gauge from knukonceptz!

remember you get what you pay for. I would use the welders cable. also if you pull it through any tight spots or under the car where it will be subject to the elements you should put it in wire loom to protect it.

the compressed 0 gauge wire from knukoncepts is pretty good... I managed to route it through the car and its barely noticable

Yeah the compressed 0ga is like two 4ga cables taped together. That's what I would run, if it went through the interior of the car.

Why not run two #4 pralleled with a 75C temp rating they will handle 85 amps each. That meaning 170 amps total is more than the single #1 or a 1/0 it is allmost the same as a 2/0 at 175 amps total