Ok.... so I've got new clamps on my battery, and now im rewiring the cables to the clamps.....the negative is all done, but ive just realised the positive has two seperate cables that go to it...one is the standard copper colour, and the other is a thick heavy **** silver..... anyone tell me what is this for? surely not to be ground?

It's really annoying since I cannot squeeze both into the clamp.

 

The small copper one powers the cars electrical systems and is used by the alt to charge the battery. The big thick aluminum wire is only for the starter motor to crank the car. BTW- That alum wire is junk. I suggest you replace it with a heavy copper cable.

 

And instructions on how to replace it?

Carl...love ya work...always here and quick to respond. My Internet Mechanic!

 

Remove it. Take it to the auto parts store and get a pre crimped cable of the same lenght. Make sure you get one that has the small wire also for the other connection. Those clamp on ones are junk. the pre crimped ones will last alot longer.

 

If you wanna make your own cable you've gotta solder the connectors on the ends, and you oughta use welders cable, which has thousands of strands and very low resistance. Works really good for cold Minnesota winters. Aluminum cables are worthless especially in cold climates. Use that welders cable fore homemade booster cables too - will never let you down in -30 weather.

B

 

Excellent advice, Bliffle.
I might add that the reason you want to solder the terminals to the cable is that without a chemical connection like soldering, the connection will oxidize in time. When I re-did my cables I soldered the ends on using a propane torch and rosin paste flux. It's not all that easy though, as my first attempt resulted in a melted terminal. Forgot they were mostly lead, duh.

 

avoid the clamp on like the plague, they have these new repair ends that have 6'' of leads on them and a neat little splice connecter . much better than clamps

 

Cool, another thing to replace!

 

I did the same thing. I filled a terminal with Hot, melted solder (with the propane torch). Then I quickly put the 4 Ga wire into it. Before it competely cooled, I was able to crimp it. With Bolt Cutters.

 

I've used the clamp on kind before with no troubles.. I just clamped it down SUPER tight and then used liquid electrical tape around the whole thing.. I did that on my 10AE almost 2 years ago now.. no difficulties since.