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Battery Terminal for Multiple Gauge Wires

Discussion in 'Technical Chat' started by sntckr, Apr 6, 2018.

  1. Apr 6, 2018 at 4:35 PM
    #1
    sntckr

    sntckr [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I am installing a small stereo amp which has an 8 GA lead. The problem is I already have too many wires attached, in a less than ideal manner, to my positive battery terminal:
    - OEM engine lead (1/0 or 2 AWG? I don't know)
    - OEM fuse box lead (4 AWG? I don't know)
    - Aux fuse box lead I installed years ago (4 AWG? I don't remember what I used)
    - Winch lead (2 AWG)
    - ...and now an amp (8 AWG)

    I have been looking around at battery terminal blocks to provide a solution for this. I see things like 6x 1/0 AWG, but nothing with as many diverse wiring sizes as I have. Is it suitable to use a terminal like the 6x 1/0 AWG terminal despite many of my wires being a smaller gauge? If so, how do I properly prepare the smaller wires to secure them in the terminal block?
     
  2. Apr 6, 2018 at 4:50 PM
    #2
    Lord Humongous

    Lord Humongous The Ayatolah Of RockNRolla

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    Maybe a busbar instead of a terminal block. Basically run 1 hot wire from the battery to the busbar then add your accessories with right size ring terminals. You can run another one as a ground lug too if needed.
    2304.jpg
     
  3. Apr 6, 2018 at 4:52 PM
    #3
    JRMiller

    JRMiller Well-Known Member

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    Bus bar is the way to go, just one large gauge tap wire on the battery and multiple attach points on the bus bar
     
  4. Apr 6, 2018 at 4:59 PM
    #4
    sntckr

    sntckr [OP] Well-Known Member

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    That was my concern...with the bigger gauge wires.
     
  5. Apr 6, 2018 at 4:59 PM
    #5
    Lord Humongous

    Lord Humongous The Ayatolah Of RockNRolla

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    Is it the max amps? Blue sea has a 1000 amp marine bar but Im definatley not an expert.
     
  6. Apr 6, 2018 at 5:09 PM
    #6
    bagleboy

    bagleboy Well-Known Member

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  7. Apr 6, 2018 at 5:15 PM
    #7
    sntckr

    sntckr [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks bagleboy. Those are exactly the style of terminals I am looking at. The only thing is that there are none that exactly fit my situation. Can I get one with larger gauge holes and varying size sleeves to accomodate my various wire gauges?
     
    dtaco06 likes this.
  8. Apr 6, 2018 at 5:35 PM
    #8
    bagleboy

    bagleboy Well-Known Member

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    Maybe, K&S precision metals makes brass tubing in 12" lengths fro 1/16" up to 11/32" in 1/32" increments you could use for sleeves or slip a piece or two of 12g copper wire in with your cables.
     
  9. Apr 6, 2018 at 5:49 PM
    #9
    deeezy

    deeezy Well-Known Member

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    I used these bus bars for all my winch, battery, and smaller accessories. Just use the correct size ring terminals that can fit on the bus bar lugs.



     
    Biscuits and dtaco06[QUOTED] like this.
  10. Apr 6, 2018 at 5:53 PM
    #10
    bagleboy

    bagleboy Well-Known Member

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    If the terminal holes are too small you can drill them out. I look for stuff that if not just right seems to be most easily adapted to my needs. It's hard to guess what you might consider "easily adapted", I'd suggest lurking RV forums for more similar info.
     
    dtaco06 likes this.
  11. Apr 7, 2018 at 2:20 AM
    #11
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    It is simple to make your own Bus bars .For some of us I should state .

    You can make them to handle any size wire or cable or current load .

    Custom to fit your needs .

    As many circuits as you need even run them in parallel if at a later date you need more circuits
     
  12. Apr 7, 2018 at 1:12 PM
    #12
    sntckr

    sntckr [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the advice guys. Bus bar it is.
     
  13. Apr 8, 2018 at 10:21 PM
    #13
    bagleboy

    bagleboy Well-Known Member

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    Just put a cover on the damn thing so you can't lay a wrench on it and short it out. Buss bars for grounding aren't an issue but exposed hot nodes definitely are.
     
    dtaco06 likes this.
  14. Apr 11, 2018 at 8:20 PM
    #14
    BenMara

    BenMara That Asian RedNeck

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    Mil spec battery terminals... ive never had any problems...
     
    Biscuits likes this.

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