Battery cable replacement?????

[Mrjonman]

Put (almost done) 6" lift on 2003 ezgo txt, and bought 4 gauge battery cables for it, but it just occurred to me;

Am I supposed to replace ALL the wiring? I bought just the battery cables specifically, none of the wires for the cart.

Cross posted on the ezgo electric forum

[cgtech]

Just the large "battery cable" sized wires.

[Mrjonman]

Originally Posted by cgtech

Just the large "battery cable" sized wires.

I know, but I need to all the wires, not just the ones that actually strong the batteries together?

Am I at least able to test drive it while I wait for them to come in?

[cgtech]

Yes, but the "weak link" will be the wires to the motor & f&r. Its just fine to drive tho. Be sure to use a wrench below the wire terminal to hold the motor terminals still while loosening the wires hardware. Expensive motor damage can result if you dont..

[Knothead]

Originally Posted by Mrjonman

I know, but I need to all the wires, not just the ones that actually strong the batteries together?

Am I at least able to test drive it while I wait for them to come in?

Yes, you need to have the cables to controller & motor too.....but you can run it with just the "battery" cables, you'll just have better performance with "all" the big cables upgraded.

Edit: He beat me to it....and has good advice about the motor terminals!

[Mrjonman]

Originally Posted by cgtech

Yes, but the "weak link" will be the wires to the motor & f&r. Its just fine to drive tho. Be sure to use a wrench below the wire terminal to hold the motor terminals still while loosening the wires hardware. Expensive motor damage can result if you dont..

Originally Posted by Knothead

Yes, you need to have the cables to controller & motor too.....but you can run it with just the "battery" cables, you'll just have better performance with "all" the big cables upgraded.

Edit: He beat me to it....and has good advice about the motor terminals!

Appreciate the input guys, I'm going to order the wire & do it myself!

[Mrjonman]

Probably just go buy the wire at Home Depot, $1.79/ft

[cgtech]

NOOOOOOO! Go to a welding supply place and get "high strand count" wire. PLEASE! House wiring has inferior insulation and flex characteristics needed for wires on a cart that can flex and move. Plus, what wire can you get from home depot in 4ga or better? House wires are intended for installation in walls, where they will not be exposed to heat, movement, or battery acid. Welding cables are designed to be dragged everywhere, stepped on, and used in harsh conditions. Please use your head, and put a little more thought into the investment.

[Mrjonman]

Originally Posted by cgtech

NOOOOOOO! Go to a welding supply place and get "high strand count" wire. PLEASE! House wiring has inferior insulation and flex characteristics needed for wires on a cart that can flex and move. Plus, what wire can you get from home depot in 4ga or better? House wires are intended for installation in walls, where they will not be exposed to heat, movement, or battery acid. Welding cables are designed to be dragged everywhere, stepped on, and used in harsh conditions. Please use your head, and put a little more thought into the investment.

Ahhh....I just read the description this morning, it's house wire. Just saw the picture last night & made me think it was welding wire.

[DaveTM]

Originally Posted by Mrjonman

Ahhh....I just read the description this morning, it's house wire. Just saw the picture last night & made me think it was welding wire.

That's because it is welding wire!!! And welding wire is what you should be using!!! And, at a minimum you should have the terminals crimped on with a proper crimping tool, and then the exposed ends protected with shrink wrap. That's the minimum if you want some kind of longevity out of your wires.