[Healeys] Battery cable

[Bob Spidell]

FWIW, we used welding cable for our BN2. My dad insisted on using 
soldered copper terminals, but we found it took an oxy-acetylene torch 
to heat the terminals sufficiently--they came with a dab of solder 
inside--to get a good, low resistance bond. We also used heavy-duty 
shrink tubing, in red or black appropriately, to shield all but the 
business end of the terminals.


On 4/20/2022 2:50 AM, Michael Oritt wrote:
> Ray--
>
> As I recall from my boating days battery cable is superior to welding 
> cable in two respects: it has heavier and more fuel and 
> water-resistant jacketing and the individual copper strands have 
> larger cross-sections, making them less likely to break due to 
> flexion, etc. with marine-grade cable being better than automotive 
> because the jacketting is supposedly more oil/solvent/water-proof.  
> However welding cable is superior as--gauge for gauge--there is more 
> copper in the cross-section since the strands are smaller and thus 
> more numerous.  Also it is more flexible and probably less expensive.  
> In practice I don't think it matters though I always opt for marine 
> battery cable with staked on ring/eye terminals filled with solder 
> when possible.
>
> In practice your decision may be influenced by the type of battery you 
> have and its terminals:  If it is a standard auto battery with top 
> posts the clampterminals may fit battery cable better than welding 
> cable.  A number of years ago I replaced the two 6 Volt batts with one 
> 12 with side terminals which accept machine thread, allowing me to use 
> ring/eye terminals which make for a more compact installation.
>
> Sorry if this adds confusion....
>
> Best--Michael Oritt
>
> On Tue, Apr 19, 2022 at 11:44 PM Ray Juncal via Healeys 
> <healeys at autox.team.net> wrote:
>
>     I am about to make up a long battery cable ( rear battery to
>     solenoid ). It's a long run and I only want to do this once in the
>     best way possible. I appeal to the wisdom of the list for tips and
>     suggestions. I have heard that heavier gauge welding cable is the
>     trick..what about end connectors clamp or solder on? I'm not
>     worried about a factory original look.
>
>     Inline image
>
>
>
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