Help with Battery cables

[1977cheyenne_C10]

I just bought a new battery and i want to put new terminals and cables.I want to know what are are the best cables and terminals,what size of cable do you guys recommend. any other information would be great.

[86c20]

this is what i tell every one. first get ride of the side post they suck. 2.go from the batt to the starter with the biggest strand wire you can. 2 gauge or bigger. then from the starter bolt back to batt neg. 3. do your self a faver and run a few other grounds at the same time from cab to frame frame to batt neg. but do it with the least amount of wires you can. also heat shrink is your friend

[zaccaglin]

If side posts suck so much then why does chevy still use them.

Anyways.. I would use a #2 wire from negative to the the frame, at least a #4 to the block and one to the body. As for positive a #2 to the starter and a #2 for the fuse panel or breakout on the firewall.
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[dieseldawg142]

their tough to hook up extra wires to & totally horrible with jumper cables

[86c20]

Originally Posted by dieseldawg142

their tough to hook up extra wires to & totally horrible with jumper cables

right. and with the corrosion that we get in new England... down south or west they may work great. just talking form my experience

[gchemist]

My Optima has four posts. Two side and two top. Side are used for starting. Top two run accessories like stereo amp wire, electric fans and truck accessories. Charging with a145 AMP alternator requires a large power too. All the wires are connected with fusible links or fuses.

[88Jimmy4x4]

Originally Posted by zaccaglin

If side posts suck so much then why does chevy still use them.

they dont....my 2008 silverado has top mount from factory

[zaccaglin]

Originally Posted by gchemist

My Optima has four posts. Two side and two top. Side are used for starting. Top two run accessories like stereo amp wire, electric fans and truck accessories. Charging with a145 AMP alternator requires a large power too. All the wires are connected with fusible links or fuses.

I did the same here with four post batteries have two in my diesel. One battery has all my accessories off the top post and all the factory comes off the side posts. Over the years I've noticed that side posts seem to hold up better than top posts.

Originally Posted by 88Jimmy4x4

they dont....my 2008 silverado has top mount from factory

Our 2012 Sierra has them as well as our 2009 equinox. Weird.
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[88Jimmy4x4]

Originally Posted by zaccaglin

I did the same here with four post batteries have two in my diesel. One battery has all my accessories off the top post and all the factory comes off the side posts. Over the years I've noticed that side posts seem to hold up better than top posts.



Our 2012 Sierra has them as well as our 2009 equinox. Weird.
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better pop the hood on your sierra and double check the terminals, they are on top. heres a pic of mine to prove it, my wifes 2008 HHR is also top mount as well as my 2011 dodge ram, heck since I converted my 1976 to top mount I dont even own a vehicle with side terminals

dont like side terminals, they are always cracking at the connection

[csb#356]

OP, you should use a negative cable that is slightly larger than the positive, it doesn't matter how much current the positive cable can carry if the negative can't carry it back to the battery. If you used a 0 guage cable for the positive and a 4 guage for the negative, your starter will only draw as much current as the 4 guage will conduct. Everyone overlooks the ground side, but you have to remember that amperage stays constant through the circuit, positive and negative side.

[86c20]

Originally Posted by csb#356

OP, you should use a negative cable that is slightly larger than the positive, it doesn't matter how much current the positive cable can carry if the negative can't carry it back to the battery. If you used a 0 guage cable for the positive and a 4 guage for the negative, your starter will only draw as much current as the 4 guage will conduct. Everyone overlooks the ground side, but you have to remember that amperage stays constant through the circuit, positive and negative side.

100% true. i always grab the same size but you should go one size bigger. will work with same size but should be one size bigger

[gchemist]

I like the dual pattern batteries. Come in handy when you need to boost someone else. I had one in my 96 Jimmy. Only the side posts were used because of factory wiring. One day it went kaput. I pull out my voltmeter and check it. 12+ volts on top. Check the side, dead as a door nail. I took it back for warranty,< 1 year. Store clerk pulls out history and his test meter. (His mind - I know what I'm doing here) He checks the top post. "Sorry we can replace it the battery is good". I look at him, test the side posts. He looks confused (like oh $hit, I'm about to get out smarted) because the he can't connect the tester terminals. He finds bolts and screws them in. The battery tests bad, print out says replace. Smart @$$ kid says just use the top posts. I look at the kid, factory wiring requires side post. He finally gives in. He looks for another replacement. I ask for a four post battery again. Stores does not have any. So, they upgrade to two side post battery and even get a few dollars back. Two pairs beat a single a pair!!

[1977cheyenne_C10]

i bought a battery with top posts. what are some good terminals or are all the same?

[Tx Firefighter]

I tend to do a shotgun approach to battery cables but they give good reliable results for a long time.

I get marine terminals from eBay for about 10 bucks.



And have my battery cables made at the welding supply house out of the big stuff. Even if they start to develop some resistance over time, as big as they are, you've still got plenty of current flowing through them without trouble.

[SCOTI]

I read up on this while looking for cables on my dually (I relocated the batt). Welding cable was not recommended because the sheathing (sp?) can deteriorate in under hood environments (oil/gas/chems/grime etc...). I know they'll work fine in something that see's limited miles but didn't want the worry of them failing in daily driving use so I had mine built w/automotive spec'd cable.

Your local NAPA should be able to build them to your spec. I had mine done from some HD stuff to my exact length requirements.

[88Jimmy4x4]

first measure how long you need them, more than likely your local auto parts will have something close to length in stock.

[chebyshortbox65]

I'm a diesel mechanic just go to Napa or heavy truck parts store you can get the.cable and crimp on fittings,my method is to crimp the ends and solder them finish with heat shrink never had one fail.
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[1977cheyenne_C10]

what size of cable is do you guys recommemd?
how many extra grounds should i get?

[king-918]

Originally Posted by zaccaglin

If side posts suck so much then why does chevy still use them.

Anyways.. I would use a #2 wire from negative to the the frame, at least a #4 to the block and one to the body. As for positive a #2 to the starter and a #2 for the fuse panel or breakout on the firewall.
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Lets be honest Chevy does a lot of butt backwards things still. X3 go to a top post
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[McNutty]

I will be using 1/0 wire on everything. I am relocating battery to the bed. Will be grounding bed to frame and cab to frame and bed to cab. Also will run grounds from motor to frame. Will run battery + to starter, fuse block and + on alternator! Rather have all good cable and more than enough than not enough!

[tucsonjwt]

Big battery cables are best. Local auto electric shops can make them up for you. Also, search google to find a guy who makes custom battery cables. Be prepared to spend big $$$.