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Battery Cable Question

Your old Chris-Craft electrical system can be a challenge. If it runs on "juice" pose your questions and offer your advice here.

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Pete DeVito
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Joined: Fri Jun 02, 2006 6:48 pm
Location: Florida

Battery Cable Question

Post by Pete DeVito » Wed Jan 01, 2014 6:35 pm

Can someone tell me the correct cable material for my 1957 battery cables? I think that they are stranded copper wire with woven cloth, is this correct?. They are so old and hard it is hard to tell but they are for sure woven material. Also the correct wire size for 12volt?
Thanks
Pete
Battery Cables for 57 Capri.jpg
Battery Cable
Past Project 1948 17' Deluxe
Past Project 1957 19' Capri
Future Project 1955 17' Special Sportsman

Peter M Jardine
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Re: Battery Cable Question

Post by Peter M Jardine » Wed Jan 01, 2014 7:29 pm

Yes, they are woven surface, it was impregnated with some oil or varnish to make it water resistant, which it wasn't,and caused fires, and most of them would not have been zinc coated either. Modern replacement would be poly coated, ABYC would be zinc coated wire strand, and gauge depends on length. You can use 1/0 and probably 2/0 at that length of cable. Restoration supply sells cable that is modern underneath and vintage cosmetically, and all the terminals etc.

Those cables are seriously pooched, and have been for a looooong time :shock:

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Brian Robinson
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Re: Battery Cable Question

Post by Brian Robinson » Wed Jan 01, 2014 8:40 pm

Pete,

Those look like original cables. Note the flag ends on BOTH ends. A lot of guys miss this on reproduction cables. They are 1/0 size (cloth covered). Today's 1/0 size have a slightly larger OD because the insulation is thicker.

I get my cables from Y 'n Z's here in southern California. Ask for Gene. They are the only place I have found with the proper flag ends for both ends. You can fax him a drawing or mail your originals to duplicate.
-Brian
1923 Hackercraft 23' Dolphin #03
1938 Gar Wood 22' Streamliner #6256 Empress
1952 Chris~Craft 19' Racing Runabout #363 Thunderstruck
Robinson Restoration, LLC (760) 468-1009

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Pete DeVito
Posts: 483
Joined: Fri Jun 02, 2006 6:48 pm
Location: Florida

Re: Battery Cable Question

Post by Pete DeVito » Thu Jan 02, 2014 7:44 pm

Brian,
They are original for sure.. I want to keep original but also want a way to remove the cable when traveling. Any ideas on this?
Thanks for the name.
Pete
Past Project 1948 17' Deluxe
Past Project 1957 19' Capri
Future Project 1955 17' Special Sportsman

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Brian Robinson
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Joined: Thu Oct 27, 2005 10:49 pm
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Re: Battery Cable Question

Post by Brian Robinson » Thu Jan 02, 2014 8:24 pm

Carry a 1/2" wrench and unhook the negative from the battery… that's what I do.
-Brian
1923 Hackercraft 23' Dolphin #03
1938 Gar Wood 22' Streamliner #6256 Empress
1952 Chris~Craft 19' Racing Runabout #363 Thunderstruck
Robinson Restoration, LLC (760) 468-1009

dreed
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Location: Memphis NY
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Re: Battery Cable Question

Post by dreed » Thu Jan 02, 2014 8:26 pm

Rhode Island wire has the correct wire and ends too. Riwire.com
1953 CC Riviera 18-R-927

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Pete DeVito
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Joined: Fri Jun 02, 2006 6:48 pm
Location: Florida

Re: Battery Cable Question

Post by Pete DeVito » Thu Jan 30, 2014 8:44 pm

I had to share this with group in case anyone else is looking for a good source for their battery cables. Brian put me in touch with Ynz's Yesterdays Parts. I also called the other know supplier of wire and received two completely different responses. The other supplier quoted me 6 weeks delivery on these two cables along with a higher price they really in my opinion did not seem interested. Next I called Ynz's Yesterday Parts in Redlands, Ca and talked with Scott on the cables I needed. I sent him a photo with the dimensions and he called me right back within a couple of hours. He said that he had everything in stock and had no questions except he could not get them out until the next day. WOW! I told him that was fine.... He gave me the price and it was cheaper than the other guys. With in a couple of days I received the cables UPS wrapped in plastic packed great. I just wanted to let others know of a good source for your wiring that is done professionally.
Pete
I have enclosed a couple of photo's of my original and the new cables. No difference! All correct ends.
Battery Cables New.JPG
New cables
Battery Cables.jpg
Original cables
Past Project 1948 17' Deluxe
Past Project 1957 19' Capri
Future Project 1955 17' Special Sportsman

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