21 replies to this topic

[mini-mad-dan]

what will the damage signs be? and what rating of cable do i need for diy 200 amp?

[mini-mad-dan]

any one? as i am assuming, just to take the old cable in and get one the same length and gauge, also is it sensible to fit the wire inside the car under the carpet?

[Dan]

At least 40 square mm cable which shoud be good for 300 amps. Measure the old cable for the length as I can't remember off the top of my head. Vehicle Wiring Products can make you a custom cable in extra flexible spec with your choice of fittings. Don't run it inside, just make sure it's properly protected in its channel all the way along, which should be cinched closed over the cable, and tied in to the subframe at the front so it can't move into contact with anything. Use a new grommet in the boot floor as well.

Damage will be much as I said above, anything metal to metal in the conduction path that's not beefy enough to handle the huge current flow could be welded up (like the inner throttle cable to the outer) or melted away and anything rubber or plastic in contact with that much heat will be melted or burned. This is what's called splashing a battery basically and the current drawn is vast. If you drop even something as beefy as a spanner accross the terminals in a dead short it will splash, meaning it will melt a big hole in the spanner. It could have damaged all kinds of things.

Edited by Dan, 07 March 2006 - 11:01 PM.

[mini-mad-dan]

will just go with standard cable now, if i run it underneath, where can i get the clips from as mine no longer exist as i had to destroy them in the rain taking them off(all the bolts sheard)

[Dan]

It doesn't have clips, that may be why yours was able to hit something!

It should run inside a steel channel all the way along the car from front to rear. The channel is a steel lip which can be tapped closed over the cable once it's in place. Then it just needs a single plastic or rubber lined P clip at the front holding it to the subframe, you can get these from Halfords or anywhere or use a cable tie.

Edited by Dan, 09 March 2006 - 06:16 PM.

[the old git]

It doesn't have clips, that may be why yours was able to hit something!

It should run inside a steel channel all the way along the car from front to rear. The channel is a steel lip which can be tapped closed over the cable once it's in place. Then it just needs a single plastic or rubber lined P clip at the front holding it to the subframe, you can get these from Halfords or anywhere or use a cable tie.

Local to you----Andy at AC Minis 07855 841881 should have several s/h cables you can choose from. MOTOMART in Lee High St 02392 551182 sells p clips and the like.

[mini-mad-dan]

wow, and yup there was no steel channel, will give this guy a ring!

learn something new every day!