Extending battery connect cables

[RVAJeff]

I need to relocate my battery bay from under my steps to a storage bay 3-4 feet away. Assuming I'm going to have a maximum of 400 AH of batteries in a 12v system, what's the best and safest way to extend my main positive and negative cables which are currently connected to my batteries? Is a bus bar the way to go? Seems like a lot of connections on most of them and I only need two: one for the existing cables, and one each for my extended cable. Any advice as to the best way to make these connections is greatly appreciated.

[Mudfrog]

This may not suffice for everyone but being the country boy I am, I'd buy the equivalent sized cable in the correct length and install, or have installed, ring terminals at each end. Then use a nut and a bolt to connect to the existing and maybe something like Scotch Supper 88 or Extra Heavy Duty electrical tape(10 mil) to insulate. Could install a plastic electrical box and house the connection inside it if you wanted. I would want to secure the cabling for a cleaner install and to keep things from moving around.

[wolfe10]

https://www.bluesea.com/products/cat...ost_Connectors

[ByeTheWay]

The Best and Safest way is to get a longer cable of the proper gauge with lugs on both ends.

[NevadaNick]

Welding cable with the proper ends.

[vroom_vroom]

Yup, if you have a legit hardware store they usually have it by the foot and ends you can soldered on. That’s your best option, if not look for 0 gauge wire and go from there on crimp terminals.

[fletch460]

s battery compartments supposed to be aired>

[mrboyer]

You probably will only need a longer positive cable to reach the positive distribution point and a short negative to ground to the frame.

[OldWEB]

Originally Posted by RVAJeff

I need to relocate my battery bay from under my steps to a storage bay 3-4 feet away. Assuming I'm going to have a maximum of 400 AH of batteries in a 12v system, what's the best and safest way to extend my main positive and negative cables which are currently connected to my batteries? Is a bus bar the way to go? Seems like a lot of connections on most of them and I only need two: one for the existing cables, and one each for my extended cable. Any advice as to the best way to make these connections is greatly appreciated.

A little vague, but is it only the main pos. & neg. leads (2 cables) you need extended or will you need a way to connect the other cables that were previously also connected to the batteries? i.e. generator, hyd. pump, house 12V fuse panel...

[TechWriter]

Originally Posted by wolfe10

https://www.bluesea.com/products/cat...ost_Connectors

BlueSea makes such quality stuff.

OP, if you are planning other additions like solar and/or an inverter/charger, then I suggest you look at larger bus bars and carefully plan where things like batteries, solar charge controller, inverter, etc will go . . . all those wires add up.

For quality battery cable, I suggest Batterycablesusa.com where you can buy almost any size cable by the foot with or without end connectors.

[Mudfrog]

Originally Posted by fletch460

s battery compartments supposed to be aired>

May be wrong but I'm thinking the OP wants to install lithium.

[veraken]

Best is to replace cables with ones the correct size. Here's a good source for replacement cables.

https://www.batterycablesusa.com/

[wolfe10]

Originally Posted by fletch460

s battery compartments supposed to be aired>

Unless they are AGM batteries.


No experience with Li batteries, so don't know about them.

[glwinger]

Every time you make a mechanical connection on a wire, you have are adding another point of failure. Just use a new cable of the proper length.
Just to be safe, get larger gauge wire, not much difference in cost. . The manufacturers use the minimum gauge they can get away with.