and the fun begins

JohnnieB · 03-12-2013, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shrpshtr

great tip. i'll definitely have to do that. i actually called our local electrical store to price out putting the 2ga cables on it. he actually was telling me there wasn't enough difference in the 2ga vs. the 4ga to justify the additional cost. thanks again for the help.

shrp

It depends on controller size.
4Ga is fine for controllers below 500A.
(Unless you are an efficiency nut like me.

)

Technically, 2Ga has 37% less resistance per foot than 4Ga and 60% less resistance than 6Ga.

shrpshtr · 03-12-2013, 09:16 PM

thanks johnnieB. those #'s seem a lot farther apart than i was led to believe.

JohnnieB · 03-13-2013, 06:15 AM

If you have a total of 20 feet of high current cable and a 500A controller, 2Ga cables are capable of delivering 461W more energy to the motor than 4Ga cables are.
That is roughly 0.6HP.

Of course the difference will be less with smaller controllers and will only exist during maximum effort situations such as rapid acceleration and hill climbing, regardless of controller size. During normal cruising conditions, the difference probably won't be noticeable.

shrpshtr · 03-13-2013, 10:14 AM

ok. that makes sense. thanks.

Furyous · 03-13-2013, 11:20 AM

Also, on the cables loosening bit... Lock washers are a good bet. Stainless.

I had them on all my batteries and connections, and even though I snugged them down pretty good I still had a couple back out on me- one burnt up my f/r switch, and one almost melted a battery post.

That is when common sense came in- lock washers are directional, so make sure the sharp part is set to "dig" into the nut so that it prevents it from turning counterclockwise. If not, flip it around. No problems since.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

shrpshtr · 03-13-2013, 11:49 AM

furyous, thanks for the tip.

JohnnieB · 03-13-2013, 12:14 PM

Be careful with the stud terminals on the batteries.
They are hex-head bolts embedded in lead and are easy to over-tighten, which can and has resulted in a melted battery posts.
The spec is only about 9 ft/lb.

subby44 · 03-13-2013, 12:17 PM

good call johnnieb... i had to learn this the hard way... the battery still works... i am in trouble when it needs replaced tho..

shrpshtr · 03-13-2013, 12:19 PM

that is GREAT info to have as i would have tightened it to the teeth. and i've never been accused of being a little fella.

JohnnieB · 03-13-2013, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shrpshtr

that is GREAT info to have as i would have tightened it to the teeth. and i've never been accused of being a little fella.

Me neither.

I use a screwdriver handled 1/4" drive with a 1/4" to 3/8" adapter and a 9/16" socket.

03-12-2013, 09:16 PM	#12
shrpshtr Gone Wild Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: SC Posts: 152	Re: and the fun begins thanks johnnieB. those #'s seem a lot farther apart than i was led to believe.

03-13-2013, 06:15 AM	#13
JohnnieB Techno-Nerd Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: West Virginia Posts: 19,654	Re: and the fun begins If you have a total of 20 feet of high current cable and a 500A controller, 2Ga cables are capable of delivering 461W more energy to the motor than 4Ga cables are. That is roughly 0.6HP. Of course the difference will be less with smaller controllers and will only exist during maximum effort situations such as rapid acceleration and hill climbing, regardless of controller size. During normal cruising conditions, the difference probably won't be noticeable.

03-13-2013, 10:14 AM	#14
shrpshtr Gone Wild Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: SC Posts: 152	Re: and the fun begins ok. that makes sense. thanks.

03-13-2013, 11:49 AM	#16
shrpshtr Gone Wild Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: SC Posts: 152	Re: and the fun begins furyous, thanks for the tip.

03-13-2013, 12:14 PM	#17
JohnnieB Techno-Nerd Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: West Virginia Posts: 19,654	Re: and the fun begins Be careful with the stud terminals on the batteries. They are hex-head bolts embedded in lead and are easy to over-tighten, which can and has resulted in a melted battery posts. The spec is only about 9 ft/lb.

Today
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03-13-2013, 11:20 AM	#15
Furyous Flat Out Hooked on Carts Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 1,115	Also, on the cables loosening bit... Lock washers are a good bet. Stainless. I had them on all my batteries and connections, and even though I snugged them down pretty good I still had a couple back out on me- one burnt up my f/r switch, and one almost melted a battery post. That is when common sense came in- lock washers are directional, so make sure the sharp part is set to "dig" into the nut so that it prevents it from turning counterclockwise. If not, flip it around. No problems since. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

03-13-2013, 12:17 PM	#18
subby44 Gone Wild Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: The hills of WV... Posts: 330	Re: and the fun begins good call johnnieb... i had to learn this the hard way... the battery still works... i am in trouble when it needs replaced tho..

03-13-2013, 12:19 PM	#19
shrpshtr Gone Wild Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: SC Posts: 152	Re: and the fun begins that is GREAT info to have as i would have tightened it to the teeth. and i've never been accused of being a little fella.

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