Best Battery Cables
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
Actually a little more than diameter comes into play. Just to use some numbers lets say the stock cable has 30 strands of copper wire, and the aftermarket has 60 strands of smaller wire in the same final gauge (lets say 8 gauge for the sake of this example). If you look at the cross section of both you would see more air space in the 30 strand than in the 60 strand. As we all know copper conducts electricity, not air. With more conducters you have the ability for more power to the starter in this case. Also the ends are usually better and affixed to the cable as well, again this allows more power to be available. Hope this helps.
http://www.dragspecialties.com/part/...alties&partIds[]=171282
How much more conductivity do these wires have and is it worth it to change? Hell I don't know.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
You could also go to a high end stereo shop for some cables. Some of that stuff is really nice and flexible and they probably have scraps long enough for your application. Trivial knowledge electricity flows around the outside of each strand of wire not through it so a coating might improve conductivity. Do you need the absolute lowest ohms, dont know. Good luck.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,468
Likes: 12
From: Bluffton, South Carolina
The better cables are all tinned, but only at the ends where they are soldered not just crimped. that gives you a better, corrosion free connection, while still allowing the cable to be flexible so that vibrations don't compromise the integrity of the cable.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 5
From: Hickory, NC
Actually a little more than diameter comes into play. Just to use some numbers lets say the stock cable has 30 strands of copper wire, and the aftermarket has 60 strands of smaller wire in the same final gauge (lets say 8 gauge for the sake of this example). If you look at the cross section of both you would see more air space in the 30 strand than in the 60 strand. As we all know copper conducts electricity, not air. With more conducters you have the ability for more power to the starter in this case. Also the ends are usually better and affixed to the cable as well, again this allows more power to be available. Hope this helps.
The primary reason for increasing the number of strands is increased cable flexibility. However, it's a trade-off. As you increase the number of strands, the cost of production increases significantly.
Last edited by FBFletch; Jan 2, 2012 at 08:22 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Nc
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 5
From: Hickory, NC
Gold plating the lugs? I know that's the in vogue thing to do. But, gold has a lower electrical conductivity than copper. If they wanted to increase the conductivity, they should have plated them with silver. Much less expensive than gold and a better conductor than copper.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 723
Likes: 2
From: Nc
Thanks.
Gold plating the lugs? I know that's the in vogue thing to do. But, gold has a lower electrical conductivity than copper. If they wanted to increase the conductivity, they should have plated them with silver. Much less expensive than gold and a better conductor than copper.
Gold plating the lugs? I know that's the in vogue thing to do. But, gold has a lower electrical conductivity than copper. If they wanted to increase the conductivity, they should have plated them with silver. Much less expensive than gold and a better conductor than copper.
Last edited by turn8a; Jan 2, 2012 at 09:32 AM.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 606
Likes: 9
I had been having a hard time starting, motor was just not turning over like it used to, and my Odyssey battery only about two years old. So I went to cleaning and tightening electrical connections, battery, relay, starter, and coil. I found poor battery ground at the frame and what a difference, motors turns over like it should and fires right up now.
But while doing so I also found the negative battery ground to have some corrosion at the lug to cable on the frame end, and who knows what could be up under that insulation. Both cables seemed kinda wimpy and stiff, and I just didn't like the look and feel to them, and for all I know they could be almost fourteen years old.
So I get to thinking, although my starting problem was resolved, I might as well go ahead and replace them, possibly even before I need to, and if I'm going to do that I might as well get the best I can afford without getting ripped off or going way beyond what is needed.
I really appreciate all the advice and information shared here, and I have just run into these at fifty one bucks for my kit if I get them, that looks like they may fit the bill based on what I have learned so far.
http://www.sumax.com/battery_cables.html
But while doing so I also found the negative battery ground to have some corrosion at the lug to cable on the frame end, and who knows what could be up under that insulation. Both cables seemed kinda wimpy and stiff, and I just didn't like the look and feel to them, and for all I know they could be almost fourteen years old.
So I get to thinking, although my starting problem was resolved, I might as well go ahead and replace them, possibly even before I need to, and if I'm going to do that I might as well get the best I can afford without getting ripped off or going way beyond what is needed.
I really appreciate all the advice and information shared here, and I have just run into these at fifty one bucks for my kit if I get them, that looks like they may fit the bill based on what I have learned so far.
http://www.sumax.com/battery_cables.html
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 432
Likes: 2
From: la porte, texas
+1 on the stereo shop. good qaulity cables and ends there. and like said, probably get the pieces you need out of the trash for battery cables. few bucks tip to the installer in the shop get you what you need
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Gold is used in micro-electrical connections. If it isn't as conductive as copper there is another reason for using it and certainly silver tarnishes very quickly. A good thread, as I have just bought a new bigger starter and want to get the most out of it. My cables are over 20 years old, still work, but I feel an upgrade looming!