Date:         Mon, 12 Jul 2010 10:52:26 -0500
Reply-To:     Ry <rylincoln@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ry <rylincoln@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: How to deal with short ALT cable
Comments: To: greg@pottsfamily.ca
In-Reply-To:  <140cb889e22f0646643118296b9f66cf.squirrel@ketchup.teksavvy.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

If you're talking about the alternator cable that goes to the starter motor,
my solution to a recent starting issue was to go to Tractor Supply(or
whatever place sells this type of stuff near you)  buy several feet of 4/0
cable from the welding section and some 4/0 end connectors.   I crimped on
some copper closed loop connectors and may solder them soon.  My cost was
roughly 20$ for the connectors and 8 feet of the nice cable.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Ct7H17cWck8b05u6iTq6AA?feat=directlink

if you look at the pictures, i've taped up the ends by the crimped connector
so no telling me about not having bare wires, thanks :)

This completely solved my weak/slow start problem that degraded into a no
start at all problem.  I'm thinking I'll make up a few more sections to
double up on my grounding straps at the engine and transmission.

-Ry


On Mon, Jul 12, 2010 at 9:53 AM, Greg Potts <greg@pottsfamily.ca> wrote:

> Hi John,
>
> If replacing the cable is a problem then perhaps you could splice an
> extension onto it; just be aware of the possibility of voltage loss and
> resulting heat generated at the splice.
>
> Happy Trails,
>
> Greg Potts
> www.pottsfamily.ca
> WWW.BUSESOFTHECORN.CA   <--- NEW .CA DOMAIN!!!
> 1987 Wolfsburg Weekender hardtop Vanagon
> 1973 Westfakia "Bob the Tomato"
>
>
> >   The terminal end (loop type)of my alternator cable broke and I find
> > that after removing the broken end, the cable is to short to reach the
> > alternator connection post or bolt. Apparently at some time n the past,
> > this fix had been done before by the PO, taking off a bit of cable in
> > the process. Now with another fix necessary, the cable is just a
> > fraction short - but for the life of me, I can't get any more slack out
> > of the cable to make new fittings work. It's never a good idea to have a
> > power cable of any sort stretched to the max - they need some slack to
> > accommodate vibration. Short of having to R&R that heavy wire - anyone
> > have any suggestions as to how to deal with this.?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > John
> >
> > --
> > John Rodgers
> > Clayartist and Moldmaker
> > 88'GL VW Bus Driver
> > Chelsea, AL
> > Http://www.moldhaus.com
> >
>