Ground straps

[Insayne]

So my ground strap from frame to motor mount is blown out and hanging by a thread. I'm going to replace it but my quest is has anyone put a duplicate ground strap on the other side? Would this even help? Or would it create a negative effect on current flow?

 

[Musturd]

Yea there is no problem adding another ground, personally I'd use a thicker gauge of wire

 

[ttocs]

use some 4 awg wire.

 

[Insayne]

I was going to get 2 gauge stainless straps. I get a good discount through work.

 

[Musturd]

Pics of said straps

 

[Musturd]

I always make my own

 

[Insayne]

Well I can't get the 2 gauge but I can get 4. http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/BWD0/GC408.oap?ck=Search_gc408_-1_-1&keyword=gc408 I figure the strap is better because it handles movement better. Maybe it doesn't matter? I could even go 1 gauge like my negative cable. I have a bunch of stuff coming in so I can decide.

 

[ttocs]

They seem to corrode faster then a standard wire with insulation from what I have seen. A 4awg strap is still a step up I don't think ford used anything bigger then a 8 awg.

 

[rz5.0]

I have one each side. You can never have to many grounds...

 

[Insayne]

Mine looked was tiny like a 10. I could run 1 gauge. There going to be 15" though with lead lugs on either end. Kind of beastly.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/BWD0/SCH115.oap?ck=Search_sch115_-1_-1&keyword=sch115

 

[Musturd]

Yea I hate those strap style grounds i only use what was suggested above

 

[Insayne]

Any issues with running the wire over a strap? Like fatigue leading to bad ground or anything. It is bolted to the engine mounts I don't want any of the shake to bust my grounds you know?

 

[Musturd]

You can run them to the back of the heads even ... Just heat shrink ur connections and you will be good to go

 

[ttocs]

you can use that point if you want, or I just put a nut on the back of the bolt that holds the alternator on and then run it over to one of the holes in the fender.

 

[Insayne]

Here's my choices:

 

[Insayne]

So the if I run the wire instead of the strap it's not going to fatigue and break down inside the insulation from all the movement is it?

 

[ttocs]

nothing lasts for ever but its better from what I have seen.

 

[vermilion]

heat shrunk, siliconed and soldered connectors on a 2 gauge wiring would work well. amplifier wire ive used had less oxidizing.

 

[Insayne]

Well since I got those pre made 1 gauge wires with the ends and everything all done for cheap I'm going to give them a shot. If I see any issues with them I'll have to build me some real nice ones.

 

[ttocs]

not really sure what the heatshrink will help here since it is a ground conection but I would put some grease or somethin on the top of it to keep it from corroding. As he said the oxygen free copper amplifier wire does corrode slower but again nothing lasts for ever.