Topic: starter cable info (too short for solenoid loc)

[Xander^]

hey guys, finishing off the odds and ends on my cb750 build!! hope to have it running in a couple weeks.

i moved the location of my battery and now the stock ground cable is too short to reach. is there any specific cable i should go with when buying a longer one?
i was looking at this, any thoughts?

https://www.amazon.ca/ABN-Marine-Battery-Tinned-2-Gauge/dp/B01IIPP5EY/ref=sr_1_14_sspa?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1541471282&sr=1-14-spons&keywords=battery%2Bground%2Bcable&th=1

thanks

[calj737]

That's awfully thick for the requirements. 2 Gauge will handle diesel batteries! 6-8 Gauge I think is the equivalent of the stock cable IIRC. I use a 10 AWG for my lithium.

[Xander^]

That's awfully thick for the requirements. 2 Gauge will handle diesel batteries! 6-8 Gauge I think is the equivalent of the stock cable IIRC. I use a 10 AWG for my lithium.

fair enough, i only see a 4 gauge on this amazon link but ill keep looking.

as far as length... can i connect a cable to the stock one that is coming from the motor of the bike that doesnt reach the new battery location? like add on to the cable that is there, joining the two with a screw/nut somehow?

[Don R]

 I went to an electrical supply house and bought crimp on copper ends for #6 cable. It's like welding lead, fine strand so it's flexible.  Some of the supply houses will crimp an end or two for you. I wouldn't splice a battery cable.

[pjlogue]

If you buy a pre-made cable or make one with crimped ends I would solder them as well but do it after you have it shaped to your installation.  The solder will wick up the cable making bending after soldering very difficult.

-P.

[madmtnmotors]

I wouldn't splice a battery cable.

+1

[Xander^]

I went to an electrical supply house and bought crimp on copper ends for #6 cable. It's like welding lead, fine strand so it's flexible.  Some of the supply houses will crimp an end or two for you. I wouldn't splice a battery cable.

should i do something like this guy did in this video and use this method?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=269&v=Emqtgrhf-jo

[madmtnmotors]

should i do something like this guy did in this video and use this method?

You seemed determined to splice/extend the stock cable. Do whatever you feel comfortable with. 

How many guys in a canoe got run over on the interstate when their ground cable failed and the motor quit? Battery cables are cheap, either prefab or even custom made.

[Xander^]

should i do something like this guy did in this video and use this method?

You seemed determined to splice/extend the stock cable. Do whatever you feel comfortable with. 

How many guys in a canoe got run over on the interstate when their ground cable failed and the motor quit? Battery cables are cheap, either prefab or even custom made.

sorry i didnt word it properly and i may have you guys confused, im worried about the cable from the starter not reaching the solenoid.. im looking into moving the solenoid closer to where the cable can reach but not sure if i can yet.

as far as the ground cable from that goes from the battery to the frame of the bike, i can get a new or custom make a lenght youre right.

but now i mean the cable from the starter to the solenoid.

[calj737]

It’s the same issue. That wire (solenoid to starter) carries the highest amps on the bike. Get a new wire made.

[madmtnmotors]

The starter cable is a different matter. The cable to the starter is not easily changed and would require disassembly of the starter to replace it. I would consider finding a place for the solenoid within reach of the starter cable and use a longer cable from the battery to the solenoid. There is a DOHC starter that will fit and uses a terminal stud/bolt connection that might be an option as well.

[Medyo Bastos]

Just use a wire nut Wilbur!


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[madmtnmotors]

Just use a wire nut Wilbur!

Don't forget to wrap the fuses with foil too! 

[Medyo Bastos]

You’re a nut, lol


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[scottly]

That's awfully thick for the requirements. 2 Gauge will handle diesel batteries! 6-8 Gauge I think is the equivalent of the stock cable IIRC. I use a 10 AWG for my lithium.

10 gauge is pretty thin for an electric starter, regardless of the battery.

[calj737]

That's awfully thick for the requirements. 2 Gauge will handle diesel batteries! 6-8 Gauge I think is the equivalent of the stock cable IIRC. I use a 10 AWG for my lithium.

10 gauge is pretty thin for an electric starter, regardless of the battery.

Because the 10AWG was between the battery and solenoid, not to the starter. Pay attention or keep quiet.

[PeWe]

I found a starter wire for my CB750 that got a CB900 DOHC starter motor.
Cheap battery ground wire for cars, perfect lenght with crimped ears just to bolt on. A little bit thinner than stock but work fine.
The other thick wire from battery to solenoid, use same kind of wire, just shorter.

[Medyo Bastos]

That's awfully thick for the requirements. 2 Gauge will handle diesel batteries! 6-8 Gauge I think is the equivalent of the stock cable IIRC. I use a 10 AWG for my lithium.

10 gauge is pretty thin for an electric starter, regardless of the battery.

Because the 10AWG was between the battery and solenoid, not to the starter. Pay attention or keep quiet.

Hahaha...  settle down Killa


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[scottly]

That's awfully thick for the requirements. 2 Gauge will handle diesel batteries! 6-8 Gauge I think is the equivalent of the stock cable IIRC. I use a 10 AWG for my lithium.

10 gauge is pretty thin for an electric starter, regardless of the battery.

Because the 10AWG was between the battery and solenoid, not to the starter. Pay attention or keep quiet.

The starter current still has to get from the battery to the solenoid, Jethro. In the case of a 750, the current can be as high as 120 amps; that's a lot of current for a 10 gauge wire. The battery - to frame ground has to also handle the same amount of current.

[Xander^]

lol this just went all over the place...

so if i can get the solenoid closer to the motor and use the original starter cable thats great. but what kinda of gauge cable do i have to buy for the ground cable that goes from battery to the frame? and if there is another one i need that will not reach from the battery if i locate the battery in the rear seat loop.

[kerryb]

It seems you can have cables made up with 6-8 gage wire for all the cables that are currenly too short.  If you really want a new cable from the starter to the solenoid, I would check with a place that rebuilds auto starters.  They would be happy to attach a new cable to your starter.

[scottly]

so if i can get the solenoid closer to the motor and use the original starter cable thats great. but what kinda of gauge cable do i have to buy for the ground cable that goes from battery to the frame? and if there is another one i need that will not reach from the battery if i locate the battery in the rear seat loop.

I believe the stock cable size is 4 gauge, so I would use at least that for longer leads to the battery. You will need an appropriate length cable to go from the battery negative terminal to frame ground, with the proper end terminals, and one to go from the battery positive terminal to the solenoid.