Relocate Batteries

[RadarRider]

I thought I had seen a similar thread, but damned if I can find it, so I'll start another one. I'm still completing the build on my '01 7.3 & I need a little more room under the hood. I want to mount my Optimas in the bed, but it stops pretty much after the mounting part. For anyone who's successfully done this, how/where did you run your battery cables? I've searched through my diesel mags & I only find where they've mounted the batts., they don't show how they run the cables & most of the pics I see you can barely see batt. cable(which is what I'm shooting for). I've got a custom battery tray made up by a friend, but until I can figure a clean way to run these cables, it's gonna sit in my garage for a while. Does anyone have any pics? Did you use the same gauge cable as the stock cables? What did you use for the terminal mounts? Thanks to anyone in advance.

[NCHornet]

I would just run them along the frame rails, as for cable run heavier cables for sure. I have all my cables made at a local stereo shop, the cables are better than anything I have found in a store and stay flexable. They will install the fittings for you, you just need to measure what length you need, use a spool of wire for your length gauge. Also make sure you obtain a good ground.

NCH

[RadarRider]

Originally Posted by NCHornet

I would just run them along the frame rails, as for cable run heavier cables for sure. I have all my cables made at a local stereo shop, the cables are better than anything I have found in a store and stay flexable. They will install the fittings for you, you just need to measure what length you need, use a spool of wire for your length gauge. Also make sure you obtain a good ground.

NCH

Awesome! Thanks, Kev!

[DieselNoob]

^^^Like what was said above. I would run them along the frame rails and then up into the bed. It doesn't hurt to use 0 gauge. The way I look at cable, the bigger the better. You never know when you might need to use more than two batteries.

[alberta 7.3]

Usually you can get welding cable cheaper than the overpriced ricer-eurotrash bling-bling stereo stuff. Who cares if it's black? Welding cable is way more flexible, and has a better jacket.
A good welding supply shop should be able to set you up with what you need for cheap, and even crimp the on lugs for you.

[Jarrod B]

might want to look into the wireless energy theory.



jk

frame sounds good. but where in the bed are ya gonna mount em? why not on the frame?

[RadarRider]

Originally Posted by bockhold

frame sounds good. but where in the bed are ya gonna mount em? why not on the frame?

Because I've got a custom, chrome, diamond-plated tray. I don't want the batts. exposed to the elements, either.

[JSchuricht]

1/0 is not large enough. The stock starter cable is 2/0, if your going all the way to the bed, you may need to run a 4/0 to the starter depending on length. Use 4 to the solenoid on the passenger side fender where the rest of the truck gets its power.

For my relocation, I am running 4/0 for the starter and 1/0 for everything else. The 1/0 is overkill, but it was conveniently already there from a previous amp setup. I initially attempted to use the 1/0 for everything, including the starter, but the voltage would drop to 8v at the end of the line when trying to start.

If I were to do it again, I would mount the batteries to the outside of the frame.

Dennis at ITP relocated the batteries to the bed on this truck.