MEP-003A Battery Cables

[Roadracer86]

Hi all,

I had the starter motor go out on my MEP 003A yesterday which I confirmed through the technical manual. While I'm spending the money on a new starter and solenoid I wanted to replace the battery cables since they are a bit frayed at the ends on where they attach to starter and solenoid. Anyone have an idea what size (gauge) these cables are and where to get decent/new replacements?

Or I probably could cut off the frayed parts and resolder the ends back on since I have a bit of extra cable it seems? What do you guys recommend? I don't want to cook a new starter with crappy cables.

These ends are basically soldered and crimped correct? The battery posts sides are good; it's just the opposite ends on the starter and solenoid.

Thanks a bunch guys.

 

[coyote62ny]

i used 00 welding cable on my mep-003soldered and crimped the ring terminal used brass crimp on terminals for the battery end and crimped and soldered as well but if you have enough cable you could just cut the old terminals off and put new ones on i would crimp and solder them makes a better connection

 

[rosco]

Is there anything wrong with the connection, besides the frayed insulation? Besides replacement, as above, you can sometimes put heat shrink over the ends, to tidy them up. Otherwise, heavy truck supply houses can usually make them up to your specified lengths (including the color coded ends - red & black).

I also added a disconnect switch, as a safety issue, when I re-made several of the cables. I'm aware that one should not disconnect the batteries while she is in operation - later, I put a cover plate over the switch, to prevent that.

 

[Roadracer86]

Thanks guys,

There's nothing wrong with the connections except the positive cable lug on that bolts to the solenoid has frayed cooper and corrosion. It just seems weak so I'm going to lop it off and reattach another cooper lug. The negative or ground side that bolts to the starter isn't as bad but I might lop off that end as well replace it while I'm there.

I'm thinking that stock wire is #2 AWG correct? I'm think those cooper lugs can be had at most auto parts stores I hope?

I dig that disconnect set up; great idea to keep the batteries safe from draw.