Falkore I'm not sure how correct that is. Electricity will always take the path of less resistance, so having that small wire still connected isn't going to much if at all. That's why I said you can either replace it or leave it. Also less resistance equals more current right? Or does it just help stabilize the voltage?

 

For the ring terminals, should I make it so the terminal lies flat against the battery and surround the terminal post itself, or should I get one that is vertical and comes into contact w/ the bolt that tightens the clamp around the post. What size or ring terminal should I get for a 4 gauge wire? I am going to do the wire from the ground to the chassis first.

 

I'm not really following, I bought battery terminals that have bolts on them, like a marine battery. I feel this is the best way to add many things to the battery with easy, and good continuity. Using the bolt that clamps down on the battery is not a good way to go about it.

This is the type of terminal I use at the battery, mine is a bit beefier but same style.


EDIT: You want the ring terminal to just fit over the bolt, too big and your giving up some contact area. And for a 4awg wire you want a 4 awg terminal. Don't don't crimp them with pressure pliers like some do, use a hammer crimper or what ever they are called. If you do go the pressure pliers route you better solder that wire to the terminal.

 

Alright, well I understand now. I will just use a small brass hammer and hammer down one side, then hammer the side of the terminal ring so the sides will be overlapping the wire and then hammer them down again. I can't really explain but it will hold.

Solder the wire to the terminal? Does solder work well with gold plated terminals?

 

The hammer crimper I'm talking about isn't a hammer it is used with a hammer, there are different types. Don't use those gold terminals that are halved at the wire connection, the don't last. I only use marine terminal and they are tinned copper so they solder beautifully.

What ever you do use these terminals, if your engine wire comes lose you can potentially do damage to it. I know you can with older outboards as mentioned before.

 

Where do you find these solid tinned marine terminals? Autozone?

 

Maybe? I can't imagine the auto industry only using those halved style big ring terminals. Any marine store will have them. I use only ancor stuff which is pretty expensive but worth it on a boat.

 

Hmm....I dont even know of any marine store around here thats within 20 minutes. I'll check Autozone 2morrow since I have a GC and gotta look into renting a spring compressor.

 

I really don't know about auto electrical hardware, everything me and my dad stock up on is marine grade.

 

I'll let you know what I find tomorrow!