Battery cable

[renhaus2]

I have a battery cable that is black with a red crimp end. When I am ready to connect the battery, should I assume it is negative because the cable is black or positive because of the crimped end

[Ljwt330]

Originally Posted by renhaus2

I have a battery cable that is black with a red crimp end. When I am ready to connect the battery, should I assume it is negative because the cable is black or positive because of the crimped endAttachment 197389

I would assume nothing. Trace the cable back to its other end. If it terminates in a fuse, it's a positive cable. If it terminates on a bolt/lug to the chassis, it's negative. If it terminates on the post of another battery, you need to know if it's used to connect the batteries in series or parallel. All these possibilities should be close to the battery bay.

Do a little more investigating and let us know what you find.

[Dutch Star Don]

I wouldn't assume that it's either one. You need to follow it back and see what it's connected to. Once you know, wrap that end in black tape for ground and more red tape for positive. You might even use a Sharpie and write a big plus (+) on the tape if it's a positive cable.

[CountryFit]

if it is still connected to a power source, use a voltmeter to measure the voltage against chassis.
otherwise, as above said.

[renhaus2]

So it is connected to a mount off the engine. So I am going with a ground

[A Traveler]

I don’t mean to be insulting, but if you have to ask this question, you should not be doing this work yourself.

Get an expert to do this for you.

[renhaus2]

How else would one learn. But everyone is entitled to their opinion.

[keymastr]

He knew enough to ask, I thought we were here to share and help.

[will stevens]

I am an "EXPERT" and still have made mistakes in the past. I prefer a second opinion if available. Heck its usually the EXPERT who makes the mistake, he is sure he is correct and just does it. NEVER A DUMB QUESTION

[Sweetbriar]

Before reconnecting clean the end up a bit with some sand paper or even consider replacing the cable if there is corrosion around the wire inside the terminal. Electricity likes clean surfaces for optimum power transfer.

[renhaus2]

Thank you all for your knowledge. I have been reading these forums for awhile and this is our first motorhome, which is solid but needs some work. The reason I joined was that people were very helpful.

[wa8yxm]

You shoudl assume that color codes are meaningless since there is no standard, and use a VOLTMETER or other polarity indicating device to determine which witch is which.

[FormerBoater]

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

You shoudl assume that color codes are meaningless since there is no standard, and use a VOLTMETER or other polarity indicating device to determine which witch is which.

The OP's first picture clearly indicates a pre-insulated solderless terminal.

Color codes are in fact standard to indicate the American Wire Gauge size of the conductor that is being terminated with a solderless pre-insulated terminal or splice.

22-18 = red

16-14 = blue

12-10 = yellow

8 AWG- red

6 AWG = blue

4 AWG = yellow

2 AWG = red

1/0 = blue

2/0 = yellow

The color codes do not indicate whether the cable is positive or ground.

They indicate the wire size that the terminal or splice is designed to terminate or splice.

[wvabeer]

There are no silly questions, thats why we are all here, to learn from others mistakes and triumphs. Colors mean nothing in the 12 volt world. Use a meter and pay attention to the + and - beside the voltage.