Battery cable definition?

[co256]

I'm looking at new battery cables.

Can anyone tell me the difference between "2 AWG" and 2/0 AWG"

Many thanks!

 

[earlybird]

2/0 is ~3/8 inch dia. 2 is~ 1/4 inch dia. ie over twice the area. BTW, AWG means American Wire Gauge.
Another form of 2/0 is 00

 

[hightech]

Their scale goes from 0000 AWG to 40 AWG, so 2/0 AWG is the same as 00 AWG and will handle around 190 amps, whereas 2 AWG will handle around 94 amps.

Have a look here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_wire_gauge

 

[pappaecho]

Some of the best battery cables I have ever used come from the local electricity wholesaler and are sold as "meter tails" . They are double insulated, colour coded red/black and good for 120 amps, and are multi strand and flexible - probably half the price of similar "battery cable" sold in chandleries and motor shops

 

[co256]

Thank you!

 

[sailinglegend420]

2/0 AWG will handle around 190 amps, whereas 2 AWG will handle around 94 amps.

This is slightly misleading as the length of the wire must also be considered and the % voltage drop acceptable. For a 3% drop where the load is 20 feet from the battery and you are drawing 100 amps then you would need 2/0. 2 AWG would be OK for 10 feet.

 

[Strathglass]

I find the best wire to use for battery cables is welding cable. It is much more flexable than vehicle wire and very cost effective.

Readily available in 25(200A), 35(250A) and also 50 mm squared sizes in both black and red.

There are several sellers of it on ebay. Crimp terminals are also available to fit those sizes.

That is what I always use.

Iain