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08-22-2013, 04:02 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Appalachian Campers Mid Atlantic Campers Coastal Campers Holiday Rambler Owners Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Orlando, Flordia
Posts: 305
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What size do I need? Size DOES matter!
Alright friends, dumb question that all ya smart types know off the top of your head.
Ok, I need to replace the battery cables on my house batteries. Why? The ends are falling off and they look "cheap." I don't like ugly cables....
I have 16 220AH 6V AGMs wired in series/parallel. They are in two eight battery banks feeding two Xantex SW3012 inverters in a stacked configurations. Please, don't ask why... (Hint...DW like POWER)
Normally, this should be easy, EXCEPT Monaco failed to use battery cable that was labeled. They probably save money by buying it without the proper markings.... :-)
OK, this is big stuff but how big I don't know. I'm guessing 2/0 or 3/0 SGT.
Am I close? As you know, some of these are real short cables so I can't go lo large or I will never be able to bind them enough to install them.
Thanks in advance for the wisdom.....
__________________
Leo & Cindy Thrush (aka "RVM46") Cats: Latte, Jelly Bean
"There are many things given to us in this life we do not deserve. What we do with such things; that is the true mark of a man!"
2005 Holiday Rambler, 45' PGA  2007 Jeep Liberty in trailer
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08-22-2013, 08:49 PM
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#2
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Full Time on the road
Posts: 67
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Quote:
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What size do I need? Size DOES matter!
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Especially when dealing with battery or electric cables. With that many batteries you have a bunch of cables. I would suggest you take them to NAPA and have them make new ones. Even if you get the correct AWG of the cables you still have to deal with crimping on the connectors at each end. If the connectors are not installed correctly they might become loose and create heat and eventually will corrode. I always put a high quality heat shrink over the barrel of the connector and an inch or so over the cable end to keep moisture out. JMHO
__________________
Russ and Gloria, Sophie and Kaylee the Springer Spaniels
2006 40' Beaver Monterey, '2015 Grand Cherokee Toad , BlueOx Towbar, Smart Brake.
"Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go"
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08-22-2013, 08:58 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 15,749
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Take several pictures and create a drawing before taking anything apart.
Agree with having the new cables professionally made by someone with the proper tools.
__________________
Vince and Susan
2011 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH (Cummins ISC/Freightliner)
Flat towing a modified 2005 Jeep (Rubicon Wrangler)
Previously a 2002 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 37A and a 1995 Safari Trek 2830.
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08-22-2013, 09:09 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Western Canada
Posts: 228
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Hello I am replacing mine as well and I am going with 3/0. Main cables should be nothing less then 3/0. Bigger is better and going with that size will give you good flow and should carry the current without heating up.
__________________
2005 Beaver Patroit Thunder 42' Vicksburg Quid Slide.
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08-23-2013, 03:51 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Knoxville, TN, USA
Posts: 3,998
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thrushl
Alright friends, dumb question that all ya smart types know off the top of your head.
Ok, I need to replace the battery cables on my house batteries. Why? The ends are falling off and they look "cheap." I don't like ugly cables....
I have 16 220AH 6V AGMs wired in series/parallel. They are in two eight battery banks feeding two Xantex SW3012 inverters in a stacked configurations. Please, don't ask why... (Hint...DW like POWER)
Normally, this should be easy, EXCEPT Monaco failed to use battery cable that was labeled. They probably save money by buying it without the proper markings.... :-)
OK, this is big stuff but how big I don't know. I'm guessing 2/0 or 3/0 SGT.
Am I close? As you know, some of these are real short cables so I can't go lo large or I will never be able to bind them enough to install them.
Thanks in advance for the wisdom.....
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3/0 can safely handle about 225 amps 4/0 about 260 amps.
Bob
__________________
Bob and Pam
2022 Quantum JM31
2023 Colorado Z71
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08-23-2013, 04:44 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Fowlerville, Mich.
Posts: 606
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Besides NAPA another place that makes battery cables is a shop that repairs HI-LO's.
__________________
2000 Monaco Diplomat 40PBD
2012 Grand Cherokee Limited
2008 FatBoy, three spoiled Great Danes and a cat.
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08-23-2013, 04:48 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boulder CO
Posts: 741
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Hi-Lo s ???
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08-23-2013, 04:54 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 641
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mahon1993
Besides NAPA another place that makes battery cables is a shop that repairs HI-LO's.
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 but that is one HECK of a big dog!!!
__________________
Kathryn  . . . still lurking and learning!
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"Wise men still seek Him..."
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08-23-2013, 04:57 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Coastal Campers
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Marathon, Florida
Posts: 2,909
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vsheetz
Take several pictures and create a drawing before taking anything apart.
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When taking ours out to service I took photos and marked the cables and batteries with a Sharpie 1 on all cable ends 1 on the battery post, 2 on all cables 2 on post... you get the idea. Makes life much easier when reassembling.
__________________
Mark & Nancy
2004 Winnebago Vectra 40KD
Shep dog, R.I.P. Kenzie dog Toad 2015 Jeep Wrangler Willys Wheeler
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08-23-2013, 09:47 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Appalachian Campers Mid Atlantic Campers Coastal Campers Holiday Rambler Owners Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Orlando, Flordia
Posts: 305
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Quote:
Originally Posted by STLNLUV
Especially when dealing with battery or electric cables. With that many batteries you have a bunch of cables. I would suggest you take them to NAPA and have them make new ones. Even if you get the correct AWG of the cables you still have to deal with crimping on the connectors at each end. If the connectors are not installed correctly they might become loose and create heat and eventually will corrode. I always put a high quality heat shrink over the barrel of the connector and an inch or so over the cable end to keep moisture out. JMHO
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Great Suggestion. I did not realize that NAPA or any other parts store made cables.
Thanks for the idea....
__________________
Leo & Cindy Thrush (aka "RVM46") Cats: Latte, Jelly Bean
"There are many things given to us in this life we do not deserve. What we do with such things; that is the true mark of a man!"
2005 Holiday Rambler, 45' PGA 2007 Jeep Liberty in trailer
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08-23-2013, 09:50 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Appalachian Campers Mid Atlantic Campers Coastal Campers Holiday Rambler Owners Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Orlando, Flordia
Posts: 305
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HD4Mark
When taking ours out to service I took photos and marked the cables and batteries with a Sharpie 1 on all cable ends 1 on the battery post, 2 on all cables 2 on post... you get the idea. Makes life much easier when reassembling.
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Great idea... Makes sense. Thanks
__________________
Leo & Cindy Thrush (aka "RVM46") Cats: Latte, Jelly Bean
"There are many things given to us in this life we do not deserve. What we do with such things; that is the true mark of a man!"
2005 Holiday Rambler, 45' PGA 2007 Jeep Liberty in trailer
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08-24-2013, 05:05 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Fowlerville, Mich.
Posts: 606
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmyjnr
Hi-Lo s ???
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Yea, you know. The machines they use in warehouses to move stuff around.
[high-low]
__________________
2000 Monaco Diplomat 40PBD
2012 Grand Cherokee Limited
2008 FatBoy, three spoiled Great Danes and a cat.
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08-24-2013, 05:06 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Fowlerville, Mich.
Posts: 606
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kathryn
but that is one HECK of a big dog!!! |
That's why I need a hi-lo. [Or high-low.]
__________________
2000 Monaco Diplomat 40PBD
2012 Grand Cherokee Limited
2008 FatBoy, three spoiled Great Danes and a cat.
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08-24-2013, 11:43 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Posts: 1,393
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Welding supply stores would be a good place to get heavy duty custom cables made. I know none of the auto part stores in my area make cables.
__________________
2012 Monaco Knight 36 PFT
Towing either a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland or a car in a 20' enclosed car trailer.
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