Posted by Greg Coffin [172.68.34.70] on Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 17:06:54 :
In Reply to: Electrical advice needed posted by Clint Dixon [172.70.100.187] on Friday, February 13, 2026 at 06:43:13 :
Hi Clint, others have said it, but I'll beat this horse just a little bit more. :)
I've often wondered if it makes a difference to have a larger wire on the Neg or Pos side of the battery, and came to the conclusion that the entire system is limited to the smaller of the two wires, assuming both wires are the same length.
Electrical loads are based on watts. The electrical equation for this is Watts = Amperage x Voltage. If you double the voltage, the amperage (current) is cut in half for a given load. Amps produce heat based on resistance of the wire. The larger the wire, the less the resistance, and the more current it can carry before it gets too hot.
I like using a minimum of 1/0 wiring for the starter, just to help get the power where it's needed, especially on a 6v system. On my 6x6 I ran a 2/0 positive wire to the starter because the battery is located behind the cab. Length adds resistance. The ground wire is only 12" long, so it is 1/0. I originally had a 1/0 positive wire to the starter, and the 2/0 wire is a big improvement.
I've had good luck heating old vinyl wiring insulation with a hair dryer to the point where it starts getting uncomfortable to hold, then gently bending it into shape.