Partial Cable Upgrade Safe?

[bowmanfence]

Planning on getting a new set off batteries for a 2002 txt in the morning and wanted to go ahead and upgrade to 4ga wires. I have not made any upgrades so it has stock wires, controller, solenoid, and motor. Is it safe or beneficial to upgrade only the battery pack wires and the 2 going to the controller and not the rest?

[Sir Nuke]

what it won't do is you will not gain ANYTHING by doing so....so just stick with the stock size cables.....OR get a complete set and upgrade to 4 ga.

[scottyb]

It's safe but, you won't see the full benefit until all the cables are upgraded. Think of the amperage flow like water and the cables are the pipes... some big and some small cables and the flow is at the same rate as all small pipes.

[bowmanfence]

that's what I was thinking, I had the extra wire laying around from an old stereo system but I don't have enough to do all the wires so I guess I will just order a full set next week

[cartattach]

Lots of people upgrade their pack wires because there are good prices on upgraded sets that cost little more than a stock set. Where I got mine a full set for TXT in 4ga is $99. For that price I don't see why you wouldn't upgrade.

[dankfoot]

So when changing the cables do you get any more speed / power / torque ?

[gornoman]

Originally Posted by bowmanfence

that's what I was thinking, I had the extra wire laying around from an old stereo system but I don't have enough to do all the wires so I guess I will just order a full set next week

Stereo cables do not have insulation rated for the acidic environment of your battery bay. They should not be used on carts.

[JohnnieB]

Originally Posted by dankfoot

So when changing the cables do you get any more speed / power / torque ?

Qualified yes. If the cables being replaced are bad, you will gain speed and torque. How much depends on how bad the cables being replaced are.

In a nutshell, any cable that gets more than warm, needs to be replaced. The heat is electrical power not being delivered to the motor, where it is converted to torque and RPM.

For controllers 400A or less, 4Ga cables will usually suffice. For controller 400A or higher, 2Ga is recommended.

[bowmanfence]

Originally Posted by gornoman

Stereo cables do not have insulation rated for the acidic environment of your battery bay. They should not be used on carts.

Did not think about that, I ended up picking up a set from the local cart shop. Got some new batteries and changed out all the wires to 4ga silver soldiered welding wire and will take the kids for a spin after supper.