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MG MGA - Starter cable length?

Hi Folks. Can anyone tell me the exact length of the cable that runs from the starter switch back to the battery? Can you also give me an approximate diameter of the copper core inside the cable? Thanks! GLenn
Glenn

Glenn

Don't tell me your friend is going to make his own cable!! He has made just about every other part for the car.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Hi Steve. Yup he's even making the battery cable. The stock cables are pretty thin. he wants somethng thicker. Welding cable should do the trick nicely! Cheers! Glenn
Glenn

Glenn I used welding cable, the multi stranded ultra flexible stuff. As you are well aware the length from the battery/ies to the starter switch is a fair run and small dia cable would have a fair voltage drop across it. Can't remember the exact length but it must be in the region or 3/4 of the overall length of the car.
Being an instrumentation/electrical engineer it was no problem for me to get the crimps for the ends and the tool to do the job. I think the diameter of my cable is about 15mm or as you would say about 1/2 inch.
Bob (robert)

Glenn,
Just happened to have one laying on the bench...doesn't everyone? :)
The length 8 ft. including the connectors. The bare copper diameter is .260...didn't count the number of strands.
Say, is Canada English or Metric these days? In the US, you never know.....could be both depending on the document you're looking at!

Regards,
Gerry
G T Foster

Hmmmn, guess I should have asked "Inch or Metric". England probably went metric years ago......
GTF
G T Foster

Gerry
We went metric years ago also but a few of us old guys are still hanging on to the old system. Fortunatly we can still get tape measures with inches on it.
Kris
Kris Sorensen

We have the worst of both worlds. Plywood is sold as 4ft x 8ft x 19 mm. Paint comes in 3.62 Litre cans
Art

I like driving in Europe as the Km click down faster than miles. Can be interesting driving in Southern Ireland. Last time I was over there, there was a mixture of miles and kilometres road signs but nothing to say which was which!

Steve
Steve Gyles

Hi GT. Thanks for the precise measurement. And now for the 24000 dollar question: Just how come you "happen" to have an MGA battery cable in your back pocket....er workbench? Inquiring minds want to know.....I guess. Cheers! GLenn
Glenn

Glenn,
The cable and virtually every other component of the car is currently either on the bench or stacked "neatly" on shelves with hopes of completing restoration by mid summer. The body is mounted on a movable fixture....painting to begin within the next several weeks..hopefully...
Back to the garage!

GTF
G T Foster

Hi GT. Thanks for taking time out of your obviously busy restoration schedule to measure the cable for me. Your efforts are very much appreciated! Good luck with your restoration! Cheers! GLenn
Glenn

Glenn, when I made up my own cable I was advised to use the solder-type terminal lugs which suited me since I didn't have access to industrial crimpers as Bob describes. This has worked well for me, some 20+ years later.
Tom Heath

This thread was discussed between 16/05/2005 and 18/05/2005

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