Earth strap ampage

[chuckle-bus-tom]

I had to call out the RAC yesterday as after a long run and stopping for fuel I couldn't get started again. I soon diagnosed that the starter motor wasn't turning over and after almost denting the bugger I still couldn't get it to turn over. The RAC guy got me started using extra juice from a jump-start. He did a full electrical test for me which concluded it was the starter motor, and advised me to start the rectification process by replacing the earth straps, as there is ample charge in the battery.

Looking on eBay to start, there seem to be some good deals. I'm wondering though (as the electrical side of van maintenance really confuses my dyslexic mind) what ampage cable I should buy: 110 AMP or 260 AMP. I don't know the difference in terms of necessity or performance.

[colinthefox]

Amperage ratings for this kind of thing don't mean a lot really. It's more dependant on the quality of the connections at the ends. My advice would be to buy the fattest one you can, clean up the connection areas before fitting and use copper grease to avoid corrosion reducing their effectiveness with time and damp.

[kevtherev]

How many do you want? I think I have a few here.

[chuckle-bus-tom]

Amperage ratings for this kind of thing don't mean a lot really. It's more dependant on the quality of the connections at the ends. My advice would be to buy the fattest one you can, clean up the connection areas before fitting and use copper grease to avoid corrosion reducing their effectiveness with time and damp.

Thanks! By fattest would that be the higher ampage? Maybe it's best to just go to the motor factors...

How many do you want? I think I have a few here.

Are they new Kev? May as well do it properly!! My battery is in the engine bay, so need a few for round the engine bay, but need to go out an measure. The one from the engine bay junction box to the starter motor is for definate.

[kevtherev]

yeah they're new, 'bout 12" long braided stainless. 10mm hole either end

[chuckle-bus-tom]

Sorry for the delayed response Kev! First dry day to have a look and measure yesterday! I need quite long ones (1.2m x 2 plus one 70cm) so I'm just going to buy a length and cut it how I need and put good connections on.

Thanks for the offer all the same bud!

[kevtherev]

OK mate no bother

[Red Westie]

1.2 metre earth connections? that sounds very long for an earth strap......remember that you can fit several in different places if that is easier.
There is usually a smaller strap on the top of the engine going to the coil mount? anywhere on the chassis that is likely to offer a good contact to bare metal.

Martin

[BOXY]

I think the terms "earth strap" and "earth cable" have gotten mixed up here. If the part in question is insulated, its a cable. If it's a bare and braided, it's an earth strap. Oh and it won't be attached to your battery.

[chuckle-bus-tom]

Ok, to hopefully make it easier for you guys to help me! My starter battery is located on the righthand battery tray in the engine bay. There is a 1.2m cable (round and sheathed) running from the positive to the junction box on the rear lefthand side, and then another 1.2m cable running from the same connection to the starter motor. There is a 1.7m mess of half cable half strap running from the negative battery terminal to the earth point on the righthand side of the firewall.

I'm going to get this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... _500wt_689 and some new connections and replace the lot.

Thanks again for the help, the electrical side of things really does confuse the hell out of me!

[BOXY]

Hi, I just saw your post above. Replacing the cable from the battery can't do any harm but the earth straps people have mentioned are probably more likely to be causing the problem. I can't find any info on what ampage a T25 starter can pull so I'd be carefully with the cable you replace the battery leads with. If the E-Bay stuff is noticeably thinner than what's already fitted I wouldn't use it.