What size cable do you need?

What size cable do I recommend?

#4 wire gauge makes great accessory leads and alternator wiring. Many new sub-compacts use this as battery cable.

Use #2 wire for 4 cylinder and small 6 cylinder automotive engines, hi-power accessories (like winches, power converters, 200 amp alternators), golf cart battery banks and tow truck jumper cable kits.

1/0 makes great battery cable for large or hi-performance 6 cylinder engines and small V8s.

Use 2/0 for hard to crank engines (like high compression, big blocks, or diesel engines), electric vehicle battery banks (depending on controller amperage), and large RV power converters.

3/0 and 4/0 are for very large marine or heavy equipment engines and high power alternative energy battery banks.

For very long cables (for example: 15-foot long battery cables to relocate your battery) go one size larger.

Please note: You can probably get by using a size or maybe even two sizes smaller than what I am recommending. HEy, the factory does. They make the cables as small as possible but still get the job done. Copper is expensive…..(about $3.10 as I write this) if the manufacturer saves a few bucks on millions of cars…..pretty soon it adds up to real money. I recommend using cables larger than the factory because I believe they will work better and last longer. Isn’t that what you want for your car or truck? Something that will work better and last longer.

Just how big is that 2/0 cable? Check out the Wire Gauge Chart.