Battery wiring gurus

If I just want to run new wires to replace the existing with fresh, higher quality cables (and connections) where should I get them from?
I got new terminal kit from SDHQ and a battery tie down from Coupe. So I'm slowly gathering what I need. The terminal kit already included a new ground to body cable.

I've gone through the big3 thread already. I'm looking for something clean and simple.

But give me some thoughts on the best cables to currently get.

Nothing extra on the truck like a winch or stereo w/ amp, etc.
Battery will be the last thing I get so it's not sitting around waiting.

 

Whatever cable you decide to get, make sure the copper is tinned for corrosion/oxidation resistance. I prefer marine grade wiring like Ancor which is fine stranded, tinned with a PVC jacket and has a UL rating. Top notch cable:

https://ancorproducts.com/-/media/i...tery_Cable_TCHDAT.pdf?modified=20200115165343

 

Thanks @shmn It looks like west marine carries them in 1' increments as well as pre-cut w/ lugs.

 

Ive used Crimp Supply several times in the past for various wiring jobs, including batteries.
https://crimpsupply.com/3-4-dia-red-heavy-duty-adhesive-lined-shrink-tubing.html

If you want to piece together exactly what you need I would recommend them.
I used 2 ga welding wire (fine stranded copper for excellent flexibility as well as temp and oil resistant), along with uninsulated butt splices, and 3:1 adhesive lined heat shrink. Couple that with a properly sized hydraulic crimping die and youll have a very solid water tight splice

 

I buy royal excellene welding cable from AC/DCwireandsupply.

I like welding cable because the jacket is thick and it’s quite flexible making it easy to route. That with marine lugs, good adhesive lined heat shrink, and a cheap hammer style lug crimper has worked out well for me.

I usually jacket my cable with additional loom for extra protection, or a heat sleeve if running near exhaust/manifold.

 

Thanks! Gonna check some stuff out on that site and the one @Jdevoe mentioned below.

Yea, I also plan to put some type of sleeving over it. I used some fire retardant loom when I ran the power wire to my reverse lights, basically for the same reason; more protection from abrasion/debris, etc.

 

I keep looking but not seeing this answer. What size is the stock battery wiring? I see a lot of people go w/ 1/0, but would 2ga be large enough? Again, really only looking for a better replacement and to refresh the wiring. I'd rather not struggle w/ fitting a larger cable through a fuse box, or whatever, if I don't have to.

edit, nm looks like it's 2ga and batt>fuse>alt is 4.

 

2 gauge will be plenty for battery if you’re on stock setup. It’d also likely be good enough if you decided to add some lights and low amp draw auxiliaries. The best is tin plated thin stranded copper marine wire but oxygen free copper welding wire will work completely fine for years under the hood. Use high quality crimped lugs

 

Probably, your best source would be a welding supply store. They’re going to have big spools of 1/0. They might even crimp lugs on for you.

The more you spend, the better quality stuff you'll get. Copper coated aluminum is cheap. Multi strand copper is expensive but better. They call it something like LOC, low oxygen copper.

When you’re done, look it over. You don’t want the new cables resting on a sharp edge to vibrate and wear through.

 

Does this look right to you guys.... (using 2ga. If needed, I can always swap in 1/0 before hitting the purchase button) @shmn @SR-71A @JdevTac @6 gearT444E @CLVFL1255 @Waasheem

3/4" ID Black Heat Shrink Tube 2:1 ratio 0.75"( 1 ft) inch/feet/to 20mm
$3.00

$3.00


3/4" ID Red Heat Shrink Tube 2:1 ratio 0.75"( 1 ft) inch/feet/to 20mm
$3.00

$3.00


PET Expandable Braided Sleeving 1/2" (RED)
$0.35

$3.50


PET Expandable Braided Sleeving 1/2" (BLACK)
$0.35

$3.50


Black & Red Battery Alternator Starter Terminal Post Stud Boot Cover SAEJ1128
$7.99

$15.98


2 Gauge Battery Cable Marine Grade Tinned Copper (per ft) BLACK
$3.25

$19.50


AC/DC WIRE TINNED Copper BATTERY Lug Ring Terminal 2 AWG STUD 3/8"
$0.99

$7.92


AC/DC WIRE TINNED Copper BATTERY Lug Ring Terminal 2 AWG STUD 5/16"
$1.10

$3.30


2 Gauge Battery Cable Marine Grade Tinned Copper (per ft) RED
$3.29

$19.74


4 Gauge Battery Cable Marine Grade Tinned Copper (per ft) BLACK
$2.50

$7.50


4 Gauge Battery Cable Marine Grade Tinned Copper (per ft) RED
$2.50

$7.50


AC/DC WIRE TINNED Copper BATTERY Lug Ring Terminal 4 AWG STUD 5/16"
$0.89

$2.67


AC/DC WIRE TINNED Copper BATTERY Lug Ring Terminal 4 AWG STUD 3/8"
$0.89

$5.34

 

Looks like some solid wire and lugs. I personally like to use 3:1 or 4:1 heat shrink but what you have is fine. That tinned copper wire should last you the life of the t truck and you’re doing it right by sleeve braiding it

 

was looking at the JeepCables Tacoma 1/0 kit

 

Thanks! I can swap in 3:1. I did have the 2:1 in there when thinking about using 1/0 wire so I guess the 3:1 might be better w/ the slightly smaller 2ga.

 

That kit looks nice too. I already have the battery terminals so wouldn't need those. Aside from that, if I piece it together from ACDC it comes in at $30 less than the Jeep cables kit. Of course, that comes at the expense of cutting the lengths and crimping on my own. So the 30 is probably worth it in the end lol. But regardless, both would probably get the job done just fine.

 

Actually, I take that back. It's $80 less through ACDC when you add in the sleeving from Jeep Cables.

 

I have the SDHQ terminals
I think it only came with an end connection to crimp on, and one short ground wire from battery to inside fender - so it probably didn’t replace 90% of what’s on the truck and just functioned to put bigger better terminals that allow more attachment points for accessories like lights

one thing I’m not sure about with the JeepCables kit is the $45 extra sleeving
Looks nice and adds protection
More sleeving to cut through for any future diagnosis and inspecting

but the colors are kind of misleading
Black and red wire showing = obvious what is what

but not when every single one both pos and neg are wrapped in a crisscross weave of red/black sleeve

their other options I think being green, orange (hybrid and EVs use orange to indicate high electricity), maybe blue

or rattlesnake pattern that makes it look like a snake is in the engine bay…

would be cool if they had purple to match powder coated Solid Offroad motor mounts and not mislead what’s pos and neg.

overlandunderbudget posted a good video of his new JeepCables rattlesnake 1/0 but also has winches and old wires looked really bad; not sure if that’s just a 1st gen problem



Older Jeep folks report before/after cold start lights are brighter and no longer dim

I do get momentary dimming on startup
Things might dim just a little bit when using more power consumers

not sure if that’s simply normal and how every 2nd gen is from new

hasn’t been any extreme obvious failures like shorts, no start, failure to charge, etc

 

I’m using gp car audio stainless steel 6 spot flat top terminals and I’ve really liked them on my group 31 odyssey battery but if you’re not running aux equipment it’d be way overkill

 

Yea if I was doing that kit I'd ask if they could break up the sleeving colors between your positive and negative. I'd go blk/red for + and probably rattlesnake (blk/white?) for Negative.

 

I forgot to mention Another good source for tinned copper wire is knuconceptz. Very flexible high stranded wire. I used a lot of their wire when I did my audio system. Haven’t been on their site since but it’s all lasted and been great wire. It’s oversized wire. 1/0 is more like 2/0 welding or marine wire

 

I can't tell but that heat shrink doesn't appear to be the type with glue in it. I always prefer the type with glue as it seals out moisture, is thicker (depending on brand) and will not crack or tear over time. Again, I find Anchor brand to be excellent. May be overkill for this application but if you are spending time and money may as well do it once and do it right.