Battery cable

[Tinbasherdan]

Anyone got a decent supplier for 70mm2 battery cable? The Cummins is getting grumpy starting and I think it might be the 30mm2 cable strangling it a bit when the engines cold. Only need a couple meters of red and black!

 

[Ubique]

60mm2 here https://www.vehiclewiringproducts.co.uk/c-48-cables/p-1030-battery-starter-cable or you could just double up on some 35mm.
If you have access to an IR thermometer or even better, a FLIR camera, you'll be able to pinpoint any high resistances.

 

[hotponyshoes]

The only problem with 60mm2 cable is finding crimp lugs to fit it!

I have probably got some 70mm but it will only be in black if that's any use?

 

[Kayos]

70mm is a pain in the ring to use
Better off with 2 runs of 35 or 50

 

[mr haynes]

Amazon if so inclined

Langley Copper Welding or Earth Cable 70mm 500 Amps Price Per Metre : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Free delivery and returns on all eligible orders. Shop Langley Copper Welding or Earth Cable 70mm 500 Amps Price Per Metre.

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[Red'n'Black]

Last time I needed something similar I got it from our sponsors. Looks like they have the size you need:

70MM² PVC Welding Cable (Per MTR)

Key Features 70MM sq MM thickness Black sheathing 500A rating Flexible cabling

www.weldingsuppliesdirect.co.uk

 

[Tinbasherdan]

The only problem with 60mm2 cable is finding crimp lugs to fit it!

I have probably got some 70mm but it will only be in black if that's any use?

Black would be fine, there’s not an enormous amount of it on a defender so I can just put some tape markers on

 

[Tinbasherdan]

70mm is a pain in the ring to use
Better off with 2 runs of 35 or 50

Routing isn’t really a big problem on the defender, plenty of room to squeeze in

 

[Ubique]

Defender? I thought you were on about a truck! check the earth strap for internal corrosion, also clean under the lugs.

 

[Tinbasherdan]

Defender? I thought you were on about a truck! check the earth strap for internal corrosion, also clean under the lugs.

Cable is all brand new, has only become and issue as the temp has dropped leading me to think it’s choking it a bit when the old girl is cold

 

[mtt.tr]

60mm2 here https://www.vehiclewiringproducts.co.uk/c-48-cables/p-1030-battery-starter-cable or you could just double up on some 35mm.
If you have access to an IR thermometer or even better, a FLIR camera, you'll be able to pinpoint any high resistances.

Or 4 wire resistance

 

[GRW]

We use a Co called Triangle Cables - I dunno if they are Trade only though
Its very flexible, easy to use cable as well

 

[Ubique]

Cable is all brand new, has only become and issue as the temp has dropped leading me to think it’s choking it a bit when the old girl is cold

What's the engine oil like? used to have problems with heavily sooted engine oil in the cold on plant.

If you have some decent jump leads, try bridging in parallel with the +ve & -ve one at a time to see which makes the most (if any difference) and take it from there.

 

[Tinbasherdan]

What's the engine oil like? used to have problems with heavily sooted engine oil in the cold on plant.

Brand new

 

[Ubique]

Brand new

It's probably a silly question, but is it the correct grade? Or overfilled?

 

[Tinbasherdan]

It's probably a silly question, but is it the correct grade? Or overfilled?

Correct grade, just under full. Engine was running great prior to moving house, and the Landy spent 3 month in a mates field. Come to start it today (temp ~5deg) and with full batteries it’s doing nothing but clicking the starter solenoid and on the small occasion it has tried to turn over it’s managed 1 or 2 rotations and then the wiring started getting hot

edit, engine turns over on a bar

 

[Parm]

@Tinbasherdan before you start spending any cash, have you checked for fuel in the tank and is the battery fully charged?

 

[hotponyshoes]

Black would be fine, there’s not an enormous amount of it on a defender so I can just put some tape markers on

You can have some if you like but if it's only a defender then 70mm is overkill.
A 3l bmw only uses 50mm and the battery on that is in the boot!

As mentioned above, try sticking a jump lead from the battery to the starter +.
If that doesn't work, try the lead on the ground terminal to the starter body/clean starter bolt and see if that helps first

 

[mtt.tr]

@Tinbasherdan does the ignition key turn?

 

[Ubique]

Well if the wiring is getting hot, then the batteries have the capacity needed, is the coolant level OK? it's unlikely to be the starter if it's previously been OK but it can happen. Is there any way you can reduce the compression (injectors loosened or glow plugs removed) and see if it spins over OK then? just to rule out mechanical / hydraulic issues.