Battery Cable Upgrade
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 852
Likes: 54
From: Dallas tx
Oh...lug on the compression stroke, yup, I got that also...NLOL. I'm planning on changing it this winter so I dont get stuck on a trip.
Now to decide on which new and improved (I hope...) unit to buy...oem, baker, ???? I'll do more research before I pull the trigger on it.
ps I'm going to update my battery cables also this winter. Eight year old stock ones...
Now to decide on which new and improved (I hope...) unit to buy...oem, baker, ???? I'll do more research before I pull the trigger on it.
ps I'm going to update my battery cables also this winter. Eight year old stock ones...
Last edited by Pitbull_Dallas; Oct 1, 2015 at 08:05 AM.
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 852
Likes: 54
From: Dallas tx
I've been doing some research on the 6awg OEM battery cables and the best info I've found says they are rated for 65 amps. 75 at best, so given that the max current draw of the starter is 200 amps and the OEM battery has 315 CCA the OEM battery cables are way undersized and definetly the weak link in the system.
If your engine ever lugs on start and you smell some burnt insulation, you now know why...
If your engine ever lugs on start and you smell some burnt insulation, you now know why...
Last edited by Pitbull_Dallas; Oct 1, 2015 at 02:46 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 852
Likes: 54
From: Dallas tx
Well, I got cables and got them installed. It's like I have half again more starter than I had, so they did what I hoped. It took me about a hour to get them in and it was a little bit of a struggle with the positive cable. I had to rout it a little different than stock, but not a problem. I also removed the armor flex tubing from the stock positive cable, cut it in half, split it length wise on one side and slipped it on the new positive toward the bottom near the starter. Reason being the cable was very close to the metal battery box flang on the bottom. There wasnt much room. It was just a precaution against rub through. All and all I'm pleased.
The Sumax are stiffer than the OEM, but they're thicker. The Sumax measure right at 1/2". The stock cables measure just under 3/8". That's insulation diameter. Oh, and the cable boot on the starter side did fit on the new cable.
http://www.sumax.com/battery_cables.html
Now, with a little riding I'll see if it helped me on my start problem that I have another thread going on. Initial results say yes, but time will tell.
The Sumax are stiffer than the OEM, but they're thicker. The Sumax measure right at 1/2". The stock cables measure just under 3/8". That's insulation diameter. Oh, and the cable boot on the starter side did fit on the new cable.
http://www.sumax.com/battery_cables.html
Now, with a little riding I'll see if it helped me on my start problem that I have another thread going on. Initial results say yes, but time will tell.
Last edited by Pitbull_Dallas; Oct 1, 2015 at 03:23 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 852
Likes: 54
From: Dallas tx
Well, rode about 200 today with a bunch of stops. Not one starting hiccup. The bad news is the weather cooled down, so that messes up my experiment a little, since my real issues are when its hot. Ill keep riding and report back if anything changes. Love the way it cranks though..
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,217
Likes: 90
From: Detroit
Well, rode about 200 today with a bunch of stops. Not one starting hiccup. The bad news is the weather cooled down, so that messes up my experiment a little, since my real issues are when its hot. Ill keep riding and report back if anything changes. Love the way it cranks though..
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 852
Likes: 54
From: Dallas tx
Its supposed to be 80 tomorrow and if that doesn't do it it's going to be in the mid 80's Tuesday and Wednesday. If I still have the problem it will show back up T/W for sure.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,762
Likes: 12
From: north jersey
From time to time my ride sounds like it has a hard time getting that first crank to go. It has NEVER failed to start though, no matter how hot or cold the bike is.
So I wonder if I should mess with my battery/cables or not.
So I wonder if I should mess with my battery/cables or not.