Originally posted by csc99svt:
Originally posted by todras:
Originally posted by NorMich99SE:
I'll be using 1/0 guage welding cable when I do mine. Welding cable has more strands of wire for the current to travel than does automotive battery cable, so it has less resistance. PLus a friend of mine can get me almost any amount for pretty cheap.



From bnoon:

The reason welder's cable shouldn't used for battery relocations is corrosion resistance. The higher the amount of strands used, the more amperage can be passed, but the worse it corrodes. That's good for stereo amplifier installations, but bad for battery relocations. The lower strand, higher gauge battery cable should be used for batteries because of better resistance to corosion. It takes longer for the larger strands to break down because it has less surface area to corrode.




if you were running an optima battery, something completely sealed, or the dyna-batt (is that dry cell?) would you have to worry about the corrosion still? just curious...



Yes. The corrosion is electrical/chemical and has very little to do with the actual weather it gets exposed to, or the type of battery that is holding the charge. The moisture in the air is enough to start the reaction. Get this... The negative ground battery system actually attracts the rust causing molecules!!! If the industry would switch to a + ground system (like telco companies have standardized), our cars would rust out much less frequently and last years longer. A couple of companies actually make changeover kits to run + ground vehicles... Hummmmm... kinda got subject there, didn't I...

Best way to avoid a corroded battery terminal is to run standard battery wire from Summit, Jegs, etc. It's the thicker strand stuff that won't corrode so easily. Then, use a thick axle grease (or special electrical terminal grease) to coat the terminal, wire lugs, and any bare copper cable. you can even heat up the lug/cable with the grease on it to get better penetration into the wires. Even stereo shops are guilty of running the thin strand stuff on battery relocations I've seen.

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