Chassis/Engine Ground kits

[TomoHawk]

I dunno if this was discussed recently, but here is a like to the Protege site as an example: http://www.clubprotege.com/wil/howto/groundwire/

On my initial list of ground wires I have this:

alternator

air meter

head

intake manifold

chassis

engine/trans

One of the things that was interesting, was the use of a machined aluminium battery cable clamp. It was much prettier than the ol' lead ones, and you can add a mains wire, as well as a few ancillary ones, like grounds, or for headlight harness. The ones I saw at my local store had holes for 6 wires.

What would you think about just replacing the worn-out clamps on your battery with these?

thx

[hls30.com]

I would be much happier using a soldered battery post connectorinsteaad of on ethat is not sealed from the elemements any better than the clamp type cheepeis!

Will

[TomoHawk]

Why not coat the clamp with Plastidip after installing the wires? Or at least seal the connection where the wire goes in?

[hls30.com]

That would help, butl a clamp connection is more problematic than a correctly soldered connection.

WIll

[TomoHawk]

Only the contact between the wire & clamp is effected, and so I would first solder the end of the wire, then stick it in & tighten.

If the thing isn't so good, then why do the 'high-performance guys' use it? If you want to use a soldered lug-ended wire, you'd also need a battery post with a screw/bolt on it

Of course I'd go with soldered lugs on all the engine & chassis connections.

[BRE-240Z]

If the thing isn't so good, then why do the 'high-performance guys' using it?

Bling! Bling! Bling!

[sblake01]

Thank you, BRE-240Z!

[TomoHawk]

Maybe it's bling, but it's also the most accomodating clamp you can get. In fact, I haven't been able to find any other style clamp, like the strap clamps you see on eBay battery cables. Even the Millitary spec ones are solid aluminum and the connection is with a bolt.

BTW- is there really a different in diameter between the Pos & Neg battery posts?

thx

[dzrt1st]

Tomo,

If you really want bling check these out :eek:

http://www.stingerelectronics.com/web/prods/battery_terminals.asp

and to answer your last question yes they are slightly diferent sizes.

Todd

[TomoHawk]

I don't want any bling. Never said I did. I prefer the Military style to that stuff.

[Walter Moore]

I dunno if this was discussed recently, but here is a like to the Protege site as an example: http://www.clubprotege.com/wil/howto/groundwire/

On my initial list of ground wires I have this:

alternator

air meter

head

intake manifold

chassis

engine/trans

One of the things that was interesting, was the use of a machined aluminium battery cable clamp. It was much prettier than the ol' lead ones, and you can add a mains wire, as well as a few ancillary ones, like grounds, or for headlight harness. The ones I saw at my local store had holes for 6 wires.

What would you think about just replacing the worn-out clamps on your battery with these?

thx

How big of a wire can you get in that thing? The primary ground wire to the starter really needs to be big, like #4 AWG.

On the other hand, if you can get big wires in it, that device looks good to me. I would tighten the daylights out of it and coat it with vaseline or something like that to keep water out. As for soldering, so long as the thing is rated for stranded wire it should be fine. The cables they sell for both factory or aftermarket are crimped, not soldered.

The main advantage that I see in that picture is that you have a screw that directly tightens against the wire. The cheap clamp-on battery terminals use a plate that tightens on the sides, and can bend out of the way.

[TomoHawk]

It's supposed to accept dual #4 wires.

The ones dzrt1st posted about looked too pretty for my taste, so I'd go with the ones I mentioned, or some Military-spec ones I saw: http://www.solarseller.com/battery_post_connectors_conversions_adapters_repair.htm

Except even those are made of lead.