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Topic: Chassis Battery wire size? (Read 1197 times) previous topic - next topic

Chassis Battery wire size?

Does anyone know the wire size for the chassis (engine) batteries?  I'm guessing either 2/0 or 3/0 ?  I cannot find it stamped anywhere on the wires.  Called MOT and FOT and came up empty on this one.  They are both generally very helpful.

Re: Chassis Battery wire size?

Reply #1 –
Smart educated folks use 4/0 cables for starters, some double up.

Re: Chassis Battery wire size?

Reply #2 –
On our 95 and 99 the battery cables are three ot. If you have the schematics for your rig, you'll see that the size is indicated there. If you don't have them they are readily available here.
jor

Re: Chassis Battery wire size?

Reply #3 –
 On our 2000 295 they were 3/0 and I changed it all to 4/0 in the battery bay. Do not know if it made any difference so far but had a pile of it from my Brother Geoff so used it. I also changed all the solar feed wire from #6 to #2, now that was not easy to bend.
JohnH

Re: Chassis Battery wire size?

Reply #4 –
Quote
On our 2000 295 they were 3/0 and I changed it all to 4/0 in the battery bay.
Can't imagine it making any difference but it's a good upgrade in case you ever replace your inverter-charger with one that requires four ot. Had to do that when we installed a Magnum 2812.
jor

Re: Chassis Battery wire size?

Reply #5 –
 I was changing the whole set up to copper Bus Bars for the connection method and as the cables had to be changed and seperated from each battery it seemed the most logical thing to do at the time.
JohnH

Re: Chassis Battery wire size?

Reply #6 –
I would suggest not buying new cable's.  Rent a cable tool crimper & replace the bad hardware and use your old cable unless for some reason it is a total loss.  Rebuilding is much easier than replacing.  The results may not look as nice but the end result is identical (and easier on your wallet.)  pc

Re: Chassis Battery wire size?

Reply #7 –
 PC, not sure who you were referencing too but my 4/0 cable was free and if someone has undersize ones then fixing the ends does not change an improper size cable. IMHO
JohnH

Re: Chassis Battery wire size?

Reply #8 –
Quote from: John Haygarth –
I was changing the whole set up to copper Bus Bars for the connection method

John,
 
I would sure appreciate some pictures of how you accomplished that. I looked at your last few years of photos and did not see any, at least not with an obvious title/caption.
 
Thanks,
 
Trent

Re: Chassis Battery wire size?

Reply #9 –
Quote from: pocketchange –
I would suggest not buying new cable's.  Rent a cable tool crimper & replace the bad hardware.
I have a crimper and some lugs for 4/0 I believe. Anywhere near me I can help make cables up. Have the cutters also

Roland

Re: Chassis Battery wire size?

Reply #10 –
Trent, the first picture is with the wooden guard over connections ( would get a pretty hefty spark if something fell against those copper bars) and the next is with it removed (obvious). Looks a bit messy but hard to get all cables to lay neatly in so close an area.
I made my own insulators out of FG Resin and hardener and tapped them so the bars are held across 2 of them and the insul" are held to the plywood frame from the back to an offset hole therefore no chance of shorting from bars. Copper is 2.5" x .375"
JohnH

Re: Chassis Battery wire size?

Reply #11 –
Just received a reply from James Triana, bless his heart, all the wires for the chassis batteries are 000.  Now I need to find 2 or 3 ends to replace the deteriorated ones.  NAPA does not carry them...Looks like this place has some reasonable prices....
 
http://www.pacergroup.net/ItemForm.aspx?Item=TAE3%2f0-38R-T&ReturnURL=/Categories.aspx?Id=Closed_End_3%2f0_Lugs&Category=a79373c5-1e33-467a-b423-999872aed4f9

Tried Home depot, etc;  but no luck finding a local place to rent a crimper; perhaps look online to buy a crimper that won't break the bank.  Anyone have any experience with hammer blow type crimpers like this one?

Forney 57637 Lug Crimping Tool - Join the Pricefalls family - Pricefalls.com

Re: Chassis Battery wire size?

Reply #12 –
Fiddler,

For 3/0 wire ends you need to find your local industrial electrical supply company like Graybar.  Follow this link to see if you have one in your area  Graybar | Specializing In Supply Chain Management Services  Some locations will have rental crimpers or know where you can get one.

Pamela & Mike

Re: Chassis Battery wire size?

Reply #13 –
Fiddler, I used a crisper similar to that for years while working on electric forklifts, lots of cables crimped.. I carry mine now and would not hesitate to use it.

Barry & Donna

Re: Chassis Battery wire size?

Reply #14 –
Fiddler,

I have used an Anchor 701010 heavy duty lug crimper with good results. I always use it in a vise rather than with a hammer. They are available at West Marine and Amazon.

Larry

Re: Chassis Battery wire size?

Reply #15 –
Fiddler,

Pacer lugs are good. Ancor lugs are better. IMHO. I have used both.

Larry

Re: Chassis Battery wire size?

Reply #17 –
John, Nice bus bars. I see a shunt on the back wall, Barry
 

Re: Chassis Battery wire size?

Reply #18 –
 yes that is for the solar set up, nuetral one again. It is hooked up to the Trimetic monitor.
 I have started looking into the battery shunt and Milli gauge set up but as we go away in a week or so to Coast of Africa (Canary Isles) and England will worry about that and install of Sterling charger later. Also getting the garden ready for winter close down as we do not have much time once back before our trip to Mexico for a few months after Xmas. Life is hectic!!
JohnH