Battery Cable question

Former Member

Ok, we were having a problem with our shifting on the car and after looking into it closer we discovered that the battery cables were run down the center of the car with linkage. It was interfering with the linkage and the hot cable had multiple places where the insulation had rubbed completely off and appeared black from possible arcking.

Where are the battery cables supposed to be run? Do they run inside the linkage tube?

Also, when we pulled it out to replace them (which fixed our shifting problem) we found them to be 1/0. We ran 12 feet 2 awg and now we are experiencing power loss. The car dies at a low idle or if you turn on the headlights. What guage should we be running? We looked it up and for 12V 0-60 amps 10-15 feet you can run 2 awg. Alternator specs at max 51 amps. It appears we will be doing it all over again. What cable should we have gotten? What are you guys using?

Thanks,
Denise

7/18/099:51 PM

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Former Member

7/18/099:51 PM

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LeonChupp

Denise......In 12 volt systems, # 4 AWG welding cable is more than adequate.....If you have overheated your wiring, it can no longer perform as originaly specified.....Welding cable has insulation designed for rough service, chemical resistance, and higher current carrying capacity than standard wiring....It is easy to find at any welding supply store....(not Home Despot or Lower than lowes)

Hope this helps...

7/19/094:12 AM

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WOLFGANG'89 CMC FWB, FL Supporting Member

NO, It's not supposed to run thru the tunnel. The CMC build manual has it inside the car, under carpet along side the tunnel. I ran mine under the outside lower quarter panel on passengers side. I fiberglassed a piece of 3/4" pvc conduit there rather than using wire ties or clamps.

https://www.speedsterowners.com/library/cmcmanual2/images/cmc77.jpg

7/19/095:42 AM

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barncobob

i have a 2000VS and it runs inside the tunnel.

7/19/095:53 AM

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GuitarsWeB

Would it be possible to run a PVC through the tunnel with the cable inside?
Paul

8/2/0911:55 AM

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Former Member

My car is a little different from everybody else's here, obviously, and my battery is in the back. I did do the wiring through a PVC pipe, though, alongside the passenger's side of the tunnel.
It was heated with a torch where the tunnel flares (about the same point as the handbrake is on most), and the pipe is unobtrusive. It required a hole to be cut in the front and rear of the interior, but it works well.