Battery Cables

["Todd Cottengim" <burneymt@domain.elided>]

Thank you all for the postings to the digest.  They have enlightened 
me on many topics.

Now for something completely different.

I was having starter problems on my '79 Scout II.  When cranking, it 
sounded like I had a low battery.  The crank would start slow, 
increase the longer I cranked, and take 30 to 45 seconds to fire the 
engine.  The battery would check out fine each time and the starter 
is new.  I then pulled both battery cables and had new ones made.  
The old cables were about the size of a number 2 pencil.  The new 
cables are 1/0 gauge (single ought).  After installing the new 
cables, the engines cranks "normally" and fires in usually two or 
three turns.

For those who do not understand wire gauge, and that is not many 
judging from other posts, I'll explain.  The flow of electricity is 
measured in amps.  The more amps at a given voltage, the easier your 
starter will turn.  Like water, the larger the pipe (in the case of 
electricity, wire), the more that will flow through it.  Just as a 1" 
hose carries more water than a 1/2", a 1/0 wire carries more current 
than a 6 or 4.

BTW:  Clean, well bonded connectors are just as important.

Next time you are having starter problems and think it is your 
battery, check those cables as well..

Todd Cottengim
1979 Scout II