m37 battery cables

[davek]

does anybody know if somebody is making heavy duty new battery cables for the dodge m37. i mean like using big heavy duty wire and lugs. thanks for any info. dave

[8543bob]

GOOD MORNING,
You can make up your own at any west marine store. They have various cables, you cut to length, and various ends that you can crimp on there at the store.
BOB

[T. Highway]

Dave,

Look for a local welding supply house because they can make up cables for you also.

Bert

[macibell111]

youcan go to NAPA and have the #2.0 they are 7/16 DIAM. for about 75.00 ,they have to be custom made,so u can put any type end u want.good luck

[w30bob]

Hi Dave,

Just curious, but how big in cable size are you interested in going? Reason I ask is the original battery cable size for the M37 is No. 2 AWG. The longest cable is about 6' from the battery to the starter and the voltage drop for that length is only 0.024V. You have to increase the cable size to 2/0 AWG welding leads to cut that voltage drop of the 2 AWG in half. But half of not much is still not much. Heavier cables are more expensive and less flexible. I think the 2 AWG is sized right for the application, so I'm trying to understand what you'd be buying by going with heavier cables. Not criticizing......just trying to see what I'm missing here.

regards,
bob

[MSeriesRebuild]

The thing is this with cable size. There is welding cable, then there is welding cable. Sounds stupid, but it's true. Cheaper welding cable does not have nearly as many copper strands in the total make up of the #2, 1/0, or whatever gauge typical diameter. The cheaper stuff with fewer, larger, strands is not nearly as flexible either. The really big difference is the current carrying capability. A typical 1/0 heavy duty welding cable is what we normally use; it is made up of very fine strands of copper, is extremely flexible, and carries WAY more current than the cheaper grades of cable. In fact a #4 cable in the high grade stuff will carry as much current as a 1/0 will in the cheaper grade. We opt for the larger 1/0 cable because of the special electrical requirements in many trucks we build. #2 grade fine stranded cable would be plenty in a typical stock M37 application. The fine stranded cable was original equipment, so using a cheaper grade of #2 as a replacement may cause you problems because of load carrying capability.

Different positive cable lengths were used on M37's also. Some of the early trucks used an 84" long cable; later ones used a 74" cable.

[Kaegi]

Vintage Wiring of Maine will build you any type you want. even armored. I know the WW2 WC trucks had armored battery cables but not sure on M37. ??
I bet Vintage wiring of Maine can get you the fine strand stuff Charles describes as well. I like solder and crimp to keep moisture from seeping in.