cables for battery relocation

jayk · 08-11-03, 04:05 PM

Over the weekend I got most of the way through relocating my battery to the passenger storage bin, only now I'm starting to get cold feet about using $.50 per foot home depot cable for such an important part of the car.

The cable is already run from the engine compartment to the rear bins, but I still have all the interior plastic out of the car so I can switch to a higher quality wire if needed.

My question is whether there is any consensus on whether it is worth it to spend $2-3 per foot for more expensive wire. I don't intend on running any big amps or anything off the battery, just the car and my normal stereo. What kind of risks am I introducing by using cheaper cable? Corrosion, power loss (amps not hp), shorting, etc... Does anybody have experience doing the location with the "cheaper" stuff?

jayk · 08-11-03, 04:06 PM

Oh, and the cable I got from Home Depot is 2 Gauge with the thicker strands of wire so it is very difficult to bend.

Scrapiron7 · 08-11-03, 04:17 PM

I used for 2GA welding wire instead of stereo wire. I think it was $1.29/foot but I only needed 17 ft total. Since the difference in price isn't much I would make sure you get the best possible.

jayk · 08-11-03, 05:46 PM

Where do you get welding wire? Not only was I originally trying the cheap route, but also the lazy route since I had hoped to get everything from home depot.

jons3rdgen · 08-11-03, 07:03 PM

You might want to go to an electrical store that sells wires. Like maybe a Kirby Risk. I went there for electrical wire for a 200amp breaker box and they were a lot cheaper then Lowes or Home Depot.

cavellm · 08-11-03, 07:50 PM

Ditto on the welding wire. It has much more, thinner strands than most other wire. Can't remember how much exactly I paid for mine.. 20 ft around $25 or so.

Doesn't have the cool blue or red color, but works just fine. Easy enough to bend, but a bitch to cut.

Go to a welding supply store. There should be entries in the phone book for it.

Matt Hey · 08-12-03, 12:41 AM

Ditto on the 2 guage welding wire. It's much easier to run especially if going through the driver side fender (good way to route). I found mine at an older hardware store but I believe Tractor Supply has it.