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Battery-starter-grnd Wiring Question

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by FinoCJ, Nov 16, 2021.

  1. Nov 16, 2021
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
    Messages:
    5,593
    I have battery on the driver side, and starter motor on the passenger side...I don't love having over 3' of large cable to run to the positive side of the starter, but it'll have to work. So what about ground....would it be better to run the ground the long distance to the starter motor, or better to just run a short ground to the engine block on the driver side? Or does it not really matter either way?
     
  2. Nov 16, 2021
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2022 Sponsor

    exploring the...
    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2009
    Messages:
    3,869
    short ground to block and a short one from there to the frame.
     
    Fireball, 45es and FinoCJ like this.
  3. Nov 16, 2021
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    Don’t sweat it. The one on my wife’s car is about 18’. o_O
     
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  4. Nov 16, 2021
    Andrew Theros

    Andrew Theros Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Los Osos, CA
    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2021
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    I know it’s apples and oranges, but coming from a telephone background, I would want positive and negative reasonably balanced.
    Probably doesn’t mean a thing in an automotive application, but old habits (telephone lines) die hard!
     
  5. Nov 16, 2021
    Cj5dale

    Cj5dale Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Knoxville, Tn
    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2021
    Messages:
    573
    Is voltage drop across the longer length of wire a concern?
     
  6. Nov 16, 2021
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    I just realized mine is set up like this, but you could probably start my little 4-banger with a few potatoes.

    My “+” battery cable is about 5’ long; from the battery on the frame rail, up along the cowl and down to the starter, and the “-” cable is about a foot, from the terminal to the bellhousing.
     
  7. Nov 16, 2021
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2003
    Messages:
    9,754
    How about both? Can't hurt.
     
  8. Nov 16, 2021
    73 cj5

    73 cj5 Not ready for the junkyard yet

    Clinton, Mississippi
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2014
    Messages:
    2,137
    My positive starter wire is 8-10ft long. :shrug:
     
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